reminder99

http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e...e000166598.cfm

I believe the SLR pictures here depict the final production version by the looks of the interior.

Let me be the first to say that it looks awkward, in an ugly sort of way.

Is it me or does the bonnet (hood) of the car look too long? Someone is sure to crack the front bumper when parking one of these things...how can you possibly see where the front ends? I hope parktronic is a standard feature.

The exhaust coming out of the sides looks unfitting for an MB. It has a kind of "draggster" appeal which in my opinion seems to contradict a technological, sophisticated sports car.

The same can be said about the side vents (gills) just aft the front wheels. They look out of place. Doesn't quite flow with the lines.

Last but not least, the interior center console looks like a rearranged SL console.

Aside from the fact that the doors swing upward, the same engine produces more power, and that the car weighs less than the SL55, I don't think I can justify the $250K+ (or is it $400K?) price.

Just my opinion.

bobafett

Personally, I think this car will be a HUGE waste of time.

--Dan

reminder99

Dan,

Agreed.

If MB wanted to show a technological Tour De Force, they should have seriously stuck with racing heritage or done something more extreme. Since they were going for a sports car, perhaps they should have done a mid-engined sports car? Honda has done so with the NSX. Porsche has done so with the Carrera GT, and of course the Enzo. If they label it a Grand Tourer, then it's going to look dumb next to the CL65.

There is just something more appealing about a mid engined sports car. I am surprised MB didn't ask McLaren to do one since they've done F1 racing.

Personally I think the AMG 65 monikers are getting more attention than this SLR. This thing will only be kept in our rememberance by the magazine covers when it officially launches.

It surprises me that they keep saying how the SLR mimics the racing legends of the 1950s. I thought that the current SL was drawn from that idea already.

bobafett

Exactly my thoughts. I really don't understand what MB is trying to do here, but here's an idea: take the SL platform, lose 1500 lbs, and then go from there. THAT will be worth the money.

--Dan

reminder99

Dan,

Here's another thought...just add more HP and call it the SL65 or is it the SL75 now?

bobafett

But how long can they keep doing this. 4400lbs for the SL now - where does it end? The laws of physics can't be overcome by electrickery.

I would *love* for most modern manufacturers to do a true-to-heritage kind of modern take on older cars. The SLR (true to original concept, not techno-toys), the 250 GTO from Ferrari, etc.

Oh well. Maybe I'll just build a Cobra kit car

--Dan

morebhp

Personally I think it looks stunning and would love one. I would have paid extra to have a less luxurios and more stripped down SL55 if it lost 300KG.

Saying this I hope the SLR fails miserably - then I may be able to get one second hand within my budget

vraa

I'll take one also! I am in love with those doors! But everything else. No no.

Those swing out doors are avalible for the R230 if anyone wants. Kleemann makes an excellent quality one.

jco-amg

First of all I don't know why this thread is not on the SLR forum.

I can't disagree with you more.

Sorry but this is about the silliest criticism of a 300k super sports car I have ever heard.

I think the side vents and pipes are daring and cooler than ****!

There actually are drawings for a Mclaren/Mercedes mid-engined
car...I bet you will see one in 5-6 years.

any comparison between the SL55 or 65 or 75 is ridiculous...they are totally different concepts....the SLR will drive circles around any R230.

If Gordon Murray is able to match the performance of the Carrera GT (which initial reports are is that he has) and comes close to the Enzo....than the SLR will be a stunning achievement equal to that of the F1.

Bilal

I agree wholeheartedly, to me the SLR is the culmination of perfection. RAW, BRUTAL MERCEDES POWER, with the handling characteristics of a true Mclaren. And best of all, its an automatic! Who says autos are not fast??? See my post in the SLR forum, the performance figures for this machine are incredible. If anyone has seen the Top Gear Zonda vs. Murcie drag race, then you know how fast the Zonda is, BUT if you can see from the specs of the SLR, then you can see its faster than the Zonda!!! that takes some doing.

"THE SLR IS EVERYTHING A MERCEDES NEEDS TO BE, AND EVERYTHING A MCLAREN NEEDS TO BE, BUT WITHOUT BEING A COMPROMISE."


LONG LIVE MERCEDES-BENZ AND MCLAREN!!!

bimmerlover

i also think this car is a waste of time.

comparatively, this car looks dull and common for its asking price. especially when you compare it to the offerings from porsche, pagani and ferrari why would you get this car?

i'd take a barchetta over this car or better yet a renntech sl65.

this car is too close to its siblings, what a waste of mclaren's abilities.

bobafett

BINGO!

And until performance numbers have actually been proven, it's all speculation and bull****. Just look at the Koenigsegg.

--Dan

Mr.PS

I think its ugly the front is ugly the car just looks to long also the only I like is the exaust right in front of the door. they should just make the AMG 65 Models and start looseing Serious weight on there cars there just to heavy.

benznut

I am utterly scandalized from some of the comments that I am hearing in this board. Even if I wasn't a MB fanatic, the SLR would fascinate me, if only for the perfection of execution of a sporting concept, the gorgeous looks both in and out, the perfect fit and finish, as well as the amazing - yet unrevealed - performance potential. AS quite a few journalists have mentioned, this car is smack in the middle of Enzo and GT territory. If the roumored 250K to 300K price are an indicator, it will be quite a bargain as well, while still being the most luxurious and comfortable (and do not give me the purist crp, because when it is 100 degrees outside, you do appreicate air conditioning.

All I have to say is Bravo to Mercedes because they finally showed they can build a proper super car, although they did have some serious help [from McClaren].

bobafett

No offense, but stop drinking the kool-aid.

--Dan

Bilal

Bob, stop dissing the SLR and go drive your Ferrari.

bobafett

Bilal,

It might help to read below. THe name is Dan. As for the SLR: why accept mediocre terms from a combination of companies that can do far better? I'm not dissing it, I'm suggesting that the car is NOT all that it can be, and that as consumers, we should be expecting more. It's an exciting time in the exotic car world, with a bevy of manufacturers stepping up the plate. The SL55 raised the performance for price game, and the Gallardo is taking it one step further. Ferrari can't simply rest on their laurels, and Aston is in for a HUGE shock - especially if it can't get the new Vantage V8 down on price.

The SLR has been over 5 years in the making - and I'm expecting it to be another supercar that simply goes as passe.

Anything intelligent or insightful to say, or more witless one liners that contribute nothing?

--Dan

Bilal

For what it is, the SLR is a remarkable machine, £261,000 for a car that can hold its own against an Enzo in a straight line and around a race track has got to be worth something. Fine by me, if you don't appreciate the car. Screw the SLR. Its not our fellow MB fanatics problem you don't like it.

MB is also considering a sports car that will fit between the SLR and the SL, what do you say to that?

And in the past, every new AMG/Mercedes car has been more powerful and faster than the previous one, so don't you think in the future Mercedes will stop upping the ante?


More than just a one-liner, don't you think... Dan?

jco-amg

You have got to be kidding me...OK! you buy an SLR and I will buy a SL65...and we will trade straight across

The SLR has been lapping the Nurburgring as quick or quicker than the Carrera GT

awiner

The SLR is going to be a total beast.

benznut

What is this supposed to mean, exactly?!!

bimmerlover

choice between a slushbox slr v. a carrera gt

carrera GT hands down.

its n/a and had to be tuned down because it was too powerful, has a manual, and just look at the articles about its cf subframe.
that my friend is a supercar, the slr resembles another gt like a 575 or vanquish, pagani has done something with an mb engine that mclaren could have done, like they did with the f1.

this is by no supercar, in fact i find it quite boring and overpriced

awiner

I'd probably agree with that. However, might as well have both !

Bilal

Carrera GT had to be tuned UP because it only produced 558HP. They had to bump it up to 612HP so the CL65 didn't make it look like a *****.

bimmerlover

thats just so buyers would be happy about numbers, trust me the power to weight ratio is a lot better in a carrera gt than a cl65. even the porsche drivers were somewhat intimidated by its power.

in no way am i ****ting on a cl65, i'd take one in a heartbeat, but the slr is just not in the same ranks as veyrons, carrera gt's, f1's, enzo, and zondas. its another gt not a supercar