SLR/C199/R199/Z199: I got to touch a SLR - and look under the bonnet
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 16
From: Berkshire, UK
2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
I got to touch a SLR - and look under the bonnet
Mercedes (UK) rather kindly invited me (and presumably loads of others over the 3 days) down to Goodwood festival of speed, and to preview the SLR.
Naturally, they didnt allow cameras and gave us nice Pimms/Champagne/Canapes too ;-)
The SLR (apparently, and from memory) does 207mph, 0-62.5 in 3.6 seconds, and during testing caused two of those ultra-fast porsche things to be written off as they were trying to keep up with the SLR ..
It will be available in 2 colours (a really special Silver, and a black that the MB staff hadnt seen, but the McLaren engineer said was excellent), with seats tailored to the occupants.
Its all carbon fibre except the bits that hold engine in place - engine is very far back, creating an almost 50/50 weight split front to rear.
Apparently 500 will be built, and later in the production time there will be more colours
I thought it was beautiful, my wife was less convinced. Its very Mercedes like inside (switchgear/radio all same as the SL but silver coloured), with some extra switchgear for the suspension/rear-air-dam - the steering wheel looked like it would fit in the SL55, and the indicators, VCS switches etc also similar.
The cluster looked like a SL55 cluster, with "Mclaren" instead of AMG and slightly darker colouring.
The boot (trunk) was a bit bigger than the SL (no roof mechanics needed), but didnt have the spare wheel hole under the carpet.
- the underside of the car was basically smooth carbon fibre
I could tell that the Mclaren engineer was slightly frustrated that they had created seats that weighed nothing, until the Mercedes electrics were added, and that some of the switchgear/control units were heavier than he would have liked (presumably things like aircon) - but he was extremely enthusiastic about the result - an excellent advert for the vehicle.
Anyway, Thank you Mercedes Benz for a nice preview !
R
Naturally, they didnt allow cameras and gave us nice Pimms/Champagne/Canapes too ;-)
The SLR (apparently, and from memory) does 207mph, 0-62.5 in 3.6 seconds, and during testing caused two of those ultra-fast porsche things to be written off as they were trying to keep up with the SLR ..
It will be available in 2 colours (a really special Silver, and a black that the MB staff hadnt seen, but the McLaren engineer said was excellent), with seats tailored to the occupants.
Its all carbon fibre except the bits that hold engine in place - engine is very far back, creating an almost 50/50 weight split front to rear.
Apparently 500 will be built, and later in the production time there will be more colours
I thought it was beautiful, my wife was less convinced. Its very Mercedes like inside (switchgear/radio all same as the SL but silver coloured), with some extra switchgear for the suspension/rear-air-dam - the steering wheel looked like it would fit in the SL55, and the indicators, VCS switches etc also similar.
The cluster looked like a SL55 cluster, with "Mclaren" instead of AMG and slightly darker colouring.
The boot (trunk) was a bit bigger than the SL (no roof mechanics needed), but didnt have the spare wheel hole under the carpet.
- the underside of the car was basically smooth carbon fibre
I could tell that the Mclaren engineer was slightly frustrated that they had created seats that weighed nothing, until the Mercedes electrics were added, and that some of the switchgear/control units were heavier than he would have liked (presumably things like aircon) - but he was extremely enthusiastic about the result - an excellent advert for the vehicle.
Anyway, Thank you Mercedes Benz for a nice preview !
R
Last edited by Richard; Jul 16, 2003 at 09:35 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1
R170
Great review! Thanks for filling us in... you lucky ******* you ;-) Oh how I wish I could have been in your shoes 
Every time I read more about that car drool starts collecting in the corners of my mouth... 0-62.5 in 3.6sec? Mother of pearl thats one fast benz! I WANT ONE!!!!
Every time I read more about that car drool starts collecting in the corners of my mouth... 0-62.5 in 3.6sec? Mother of pearl thats one fast benz! I WANT ONE!!!!
