Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

In collaboration with McLaren Automotive, Mercedez Benz designed the fastest automatic transmission car in the world, a powerful vehicle that combines GT features with a supercar. The result is a super GT! The Porsche Carrera GT, Enzo Ferrari, Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and Ferrari 599G TB are included among its competitors. The initials “SLR” stand for “Sport, Light, Racing”. Annually only 500 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren are manufactured in Woking, England, at the price of $495,000. The amazing partnership calculates to create 3500 cars over the span of 7 years.

The engine is a 5.4 l, all-aluminum V8, hand built, with port fuel injection, weighing 232 kilograms. It is placed as lower as possible for better aerodynamics. It produces 617 horsepower at 6500 revolutions/minute, with A 575 feet pound torque. Unlike its other rivals, the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren has the engine front-mid placed, shifted 1 meter behind the front bumper. There are three valves for each cylinder, lubricated through a dry sump system.

As far as performance is concerned, this 2-passenger, 2-door coupe supercar is able to speed from zero to 100 km in 3.8 seconds, ability that has been proved and confirmed by multiple sources. It has a maximum speed of 334km/hour and has even reached, once, the point of 340km/hour. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a 5-speed automatic transmission with different modes - Sport, Comfort and Manual.

The body construction is entirely made of carbon fiber that makes it very light and safe, with a high performance, similar to McLaren Formula 1 cars. It has approximately 1693 kilograms if considered with standard equipment.

The breaks are made of carbon-ceramic and are claimed to resist the wear to 1200 degrees C. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren also has a spoiler mounted on the rear integral air brake flap which raises 10 degrees the speed of 95 km/h is exceeded. The angle can be increased through the driver’s switch up to 65 degrees.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is considered one of the most luxurious sport cars, especially when other automakers reduce the deluxe specifications in favor of the car’s weight. Not only is it the most luxurious but it is also the safest. Inside an SLR, carbon fiber seats are covered in the finest leather, while the surfaces are refined with contrasting textures.

The more powerful version, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition was introduced in 2006, this time producing 650 horsepower and a maximum torque of 605 ft•lbf (at 4000 rpm). It reaches 100km/h in merely 3.6 second and the top speed of 300km/h in 28 seconds. Modifications were made the suspension, as well as to the breaks rotors, which were made 22 mm larger. Exterior changes were made to the wheels, now using 19-inch light alloy ones.

The Roadster version was introduced in September 2007 for the price of $711,065. It performs 626 horsepower with a top speed of 332km/h, going up to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Performance is affected by the fact that it is a convertible and will have extra weight. The roof folds away electrically, in 10 seconds.