2000 Mercedes SLR Roadster
FRANKFURT -Mercedes set the sports car world on its ear (and reportedly made Ferrari very nervous) when it introduced the SLR Coupe at the Detroit International Auto Show last January. Now witness the logical next step in the SLR's evolution, the Vision SLR Roadster.
Taking inspiration from the legendary 1955 SLR racing car, the new roadster features the same styling cues found on the coupe, but with subtle changes to accommodate its open-air design. The rear section has been redesigned with a higher trunk lid and a "diffuser" meant to increase downforce on the rear axle, enhancing high-speed stability. Like the coupe, the roadster is made from a combination of composite fiber materials and aluminum to ensure both exemplary crash stability and a weight advantage of around 40 percent over conventional steel. Mercedes' 5.5-liter V8, topped by a supercharger with a water-based intercooler, provides the roadster with 557 horsepower and propels it from zero-to-60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
Add A Comment »