What Is It?
2004 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
What's Special About It?
A true exotic in every sense of the word, the SLR is an ultrahigh-performance coupe that goes well beyond anything Mercedes has ever offered for public consumption. It draws its name from Mercedes' famed '50s racing coupe that won nearly every race that mattered at the time, so no expense was spared in putting together a modern-day production car of equal stature.
Built in collaboration with McLaren, Mercedes' partner in Formula One racing, the SLR makes extensive use of carbon fiber in its structure to keep weight down while maintaining the rigidity necessary to handle the power of its AMG-built power plant. The eight-cylinder engine displaces 5.5 liters and breathes through a computer-controlled supercharger and a very conspicuous set of side-mounted exhaust pipes. Its staggering output of 626 horsepower is sent through a five-speed automatic transmission with touch shift capability and 18-inch rear wheels. This combination of speed and traction comes together to produce a 0-to-60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph. Getting it back down to legal speeds isn't much of a problem as the SLR comes standard with ceramic brake discs and a rear wing that functions as air brakes in high-speed deceleration circumstances.
Swing-wing doors that open up and out provide a dramatic entrance to the car similar to the Mercedes' famous gull-wing SLs. Settle into the cockpit and you'll find a cabin with a straightforward layout that's usable at a glance. Carbon fiber, aluminum and exclusive hides of leather are used in varying degrees to give the SLR a look unlike any other car in the Mercedes lineup. The features list is long as you expect, with newly developed knee airbags, bi-xenon headlights and a comprehensive navigation system the most notable items on the list.
Why Should You Care?
Whether you're a Mercedes loyalist or you simply appreciate the fact that a mainstream manufacturer made the effort to produce such an awe-inspiring vehicle, the SLR is a welcome addition to the increasingly populated supercar segment. Few can afford it, and even fewer will be produced, but like the original SLR, it makes you grin just knowing that it exists. — Ed Hellwig
2004 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
What's Special About It?
A true exotic in every sense of the word, the SLR is an ultrahigh-performance coupe that goes well beyond anything Mercedes has ever offered for public consumption. It draws its name from Mercedes' famed '50s racing coupe that won nearly every race that mattered at the time, so no expense was spared in putting together a modern-day production car of equal stature.
Built in collaboration with McLaren, Mercedes' partner in Formula One racing, the SLR makes extensive use of carbon fiber in its structure to keep weight down while maintaining the rigidity necessary to handle the power of its AMG-built power plant. The eight-cylinder engine displaces 5.5 liters and breathes through a computer-controlled supercharger and a very conspicuous set of side-mounted exhaust pipes. Its staggering output of 626 horsepower is sent through a five-speed automatic transmission with touch shift capability and 18-inch rear wheels. This combination of speed and traction comes together to produce a 0-to-60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph. Getting it back down to legal speeds isn't much of a problem as the SLR comes standard with ceramic brake discs and a rear wing that functions as air brakes in high-speed deceleration circumstances.
Swing-wing doors that open up and out provide a dramatic entrance to the car similar to the Mercedes' famous gull-wing SLs. Settle into the cockpit and you'll find a cabin with a straightforward layout that's usable at a glance. Carbon fiber, aluminum and exclusive hides of leather are used in varying degrees to give the SLR a look unlike any other car in the Mercedes lineup. The features list is long as you expect, with newly developed knee airbags, bi-xenon headlights and a comprehensive navigation system the most notable items on the list.
Why Should You Care?
Whether you're a Mercedes loyalist or you simply appreciate the fact that a mainstream manufacturer made the effort to produce such an awe-inspiring vehicle, the SLR is a welcome addition to the increasingly populated supercar segment. Few can afford it, and even fewer will be produced, but like the original SLR, it makes you grin just knowing that it exists. — Ed Hellwig
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