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DaimlerChrysler has announced an agreement for the design and production of the Mercedes-Benz SLR super sportscar with McLaren Cars Ltd.

The two companies will invest a total of $A300 million in the project which reflects the heritage, philosophies and styling of Mercedes. It will be produced utilising the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques at the new TAG McLaren facilities currently under construction in Woking, UK.

The super sportscar is scheduled for launch in the year 2003.

The concept of the Mercedes-Benz SLR will ensure the transfer of technology and image from the successful Formula One partnership to Mercedes-Benz production while, at the same time, reviving the fame of the Silver Arrows.

Itr is believed the segment of top class sportscars – at which the SLR is aimed – will almost double in the next five years and reach an annual volume of about 2,500 units.

Mercedes-Benz expects to meet up to 20 percent of the demand in major markets including the USA, Europe and the Middle East.

Benchmark for 21st Century

Jurgen Hubbert, the DaimlerChrysler board member responsible for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars said, “By designing and producing the SLR we will we will, once again, underline our global leading position in the field of technical innovation. The SLR is an incomparable combination of the brand’s character, safety, quality and performance. McLaren is the ideal partner for us.

Ron Dennis, Managing Director of the TAG McLaren Group said, “This announcement represents one of the most important milestones in the development of the TAG McLaren Group.

It is, of course, our intention to bring the same level of focus to bear on this project which has seen us achieve success with Mercedes in Formula One.”

High-Performance Materials

With the decision to produce the SLR, Mercedes-Benz returns to the segment of the legendary Grand Turismo. The two-seater will continue the tradition of the famous Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz and boasts ground-breaking technical innovations adopted from F1.

Like the current McLaren-Mercedes Formula One car, which carries the three-pointed-star, the super sportscar will have a body made from an intelligent combination of carbon fibre and exotic materials.

Premium handling and safety is secured by features like advanced electronics and fibre-reinforced ceramic brakes.

Top-Class Dynamic Values

The Mercedes-Benz SLR will be powered by a V8 engine with an output of more than 400kW. It has a target weight of 1400kg, which will permit breathtaking acceleration. Equipped with a supercharger and a special, water-based charge aircooler, the engine will develop a maximum torque of more than 700 Nm upwards of 4000rpm.

The fascinating body design, clearly identifying the super sportscar as a Mercedes-Benz, is characterised by the balance of tradition and modern styling. The front section – with Mercedes’ characteristic “four-eye face”, arrow-shaped front and distinctive double wings at the lower tip – reflects the look of the current McLaren-Mercedes Silver Arrow.

The engine hood design and fenders newly interpret features of the SL sportscars from the 1950’s. Likewise, the gas-pressure strut gullwing doors are a modern-day interpretation of the legendary Silver Arrows – the Stuttgarters, launched in the fifties.

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A unique symbiosis of design and technology

-Design elements from Formula 1 and the legendary SLR sports car
-Bodywork constructed from carbon fibre and aluminum
-Sensor-controlled brake system and ceramic brake discs
-Supercharged engine with 410 kW

The vision of a Mercedes super sports car has become reality. In July 1999, in response to the sensational SLR design study Mercedes-Benz presented in Detroit at the beginning of the year, the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of Management gave the green light for production of the sports car.

Mercedes-Benz presented an equally spectacular SLR Roadster design study at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September.

The roadster study marks the beginning of a new era in automotive open-air pleasure. Like the SLR coupe, the new Vision SLR Roadster is set to become an archetype for high-performance sports cars in the 21st century. Its exemplary design and technology make it a role model for future developments in the automotive industry. Consciously adopting style elements from the legendary SL, the SLR racing car (from 1955) and the McLaren-Mercedes Silver Arrow (Formula 1), the open-top two-seater symbolizes the rich heritage of Mercedes-Benz as a leading sports-car manufacturer.

The arrow-shaped front structure and distinctive double wings at the lower tip of the front end reflect the fascination of the McLaren-Mercedes Silver Arrow. The long engine hood, gullwing doors and powerfully curved fenders are reminiscent of the SL and SLR sports cars driven with unparalleled success in the Fifties by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling and Stirling Moss.

Light-transmissive material provides transparency and openess

The roadster study is designed as a thoroughbred high-performance vehicle. As open and puristic as a Formula 1 racing car, the roadster soft top is made of light-transmissive material (a first in a design of this kind). Even when the roof is closed, the roadster still conveys the fascination and pleasure of open-top driving. The ingenious design of the roof links also allows you to open the rear half of the soft top so that passengers have the best of both worlds — protection and direct contact with the open air. A minimum of effort is required to unlock and push back the soft top.

Compared with the SLR coupe version, the rear section of the roadster has been redesigned. The trunk lid is higher, enhancing the roadster's aerodynamic qualities and lending it a more powerful appearance. Furthermore, a so-called diffuser has been adopted from Formula 1 technology. This directs the flow of air to the rear of the vehicle and onto the double wings in order to increase downforce on the rear axle — essential for guaranteeing optimum track-holding at high speeds.

Innovative Sensortronic Brake System for optimum safety

The Mercedes-Benz SLR and Vision SLR Roadster are already setting the technological standards of the future. The bodywork is made of a combination of composite fibre materials and aluminum, which ensures both exemplary crash stability and a weight advantage of around 40 percent over conventional steel designs.

Another ground-breaking feature is the electro-hydraulic Sensortronic Brake System (SBS). It employs sensors and microprocessors to calculate the exact brake pressure required for different driving conditions, thus providing significant safety benefits — particularly when cornering and driving on slippery or loose surfaces.

From the point of view of comfort, the electronically controlled brake system also ensures precisely metered braking pressure. The brake discs fitted in the Vision SLR Roadster are made of fibre-reinforced ceramic, which can withstand even the most extreme loads.

The front headlamps with adaptive light systems and innovative high-performance light diodes automatically track the steering angle and adapt to prevailing driving conditions. This significantly improves surface illumination when cornering or turning.

100 km/h in 4.2 seconds with a 720 Nm torque rating

The roadster's long engine hood conceals a powerful 5.5-litre AMG V8 engine. Fitted with a supercharger and water-based intercooler, the eight-cylinder engine a rated output of 410 kW and develops a maximum torque rating of 720 Nm from 4000/mm. The roadster's maximum speed is 320 km/h and it is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 4.2 seconds.

A sports car steeped in tradition and with a great future

When it comes to building open-top sports cars, Mercedes-Benz can look back on a long and successful history. One of the "masterpieces" was the world-renowned 300 SLR racing car, of which two open-top versions were manufactured: the 1955 Mille Miglia winner (with the legendary start number 722) driven by Stirling Moss and the Le Mans racing car from the same year (start number 19) driven by Juan Manuel Fangio. The open-top Vision SLR maintains the Mercedes tradition by presenting a characteristically modern, charismatic interpretation of the 300 SLR.

I have no problems with the SLR except for one thing- why are they trying to be hip and make the STEERING WHEEL OVAL?
Why can't they just leave that part of the car alone and keep it in the shape of regular circle?