Chrome Mercedes McLaren SLR

Amazingly over the top is one way to describe this Mercedes McLaren SLR. Dressed from top to bottom in chrome (including that reflective chrome-tinted glass) it causes quite a scene outside the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. While this driver has a license plate number so high we’d assume it belonged to a pauper, we know it takes some serious scratch to buy an SLR, and can only imagine the price tag necessary to go ahead and chrome the living daylights out of it.

One must wonder though, if he went through all that effort to retrofit chrome to the SLR, why not just buy an all-chrome Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang.

I guess the Financiapocalypse is really hitting us all, isn’t it?

All Chrome Mercedes McLaren SLR

Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling Moss Edition

The 2009 Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss has just been unveiled here at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, and with only 75 copies of the $1.01 Million boutique supercar being produced, it’s a fitting start for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

The SLR Stirling Moss acts as the finale for the SLR supercar, and, of course, a tribute to one of histories greatest race car drivers. In the Stirling Moss variant, McLaren has boiled the driving experience down to its rawest form — a carbon fiber chassis, completely exposed to the elements, at one with the wind in your face, breathing in the smell of the side-exit exhaust pounding from the 650-hp supercharged 5.5-liter V8.

Say what you will about the SLR, or its styling, or its price, but the SLR Stirling Moss is an incredible example of racing’s past and present.

Enjoy these photos of the car’s exterior and further down, its interior.

Mercedes SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Exterior

Mercedes SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Interior

Press Release
Stuttgart– Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are adding the crowning glory to the model family of their highly successful SLR super sports car with a new, uncompromisingly spectacular car. There is neither a roof nor a windscreen to separate the driver and passenger from the outside world; they enjoy unadulterated high-speed excitement with all the attributes of a speedster.

The new SLR Stirling Moss is also characterised by the most sophisticated technology and a breathtaking design which reinterprets the SLR legend. With 478 kW/650 hp the SLR Stirling Moss accelerates its V8 supercharged engine from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 350 km/h – no other series-production car is at the same time so open and so fast. This extreme concept makes the new high-performance sports car a legitimate bearer of the name of the British motor racing legend and Mille Miglia record-holder Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR racing cars from victory to victory during the 1950s.

The exclusive SLR Stirling Moss rounds off the current SLR family and is limited to 75 units. It is priced at 750,000 euros. The SLR Roadster will cease to be manufactured at the end of May 2009 as planned, and production of the SLR Stirling Moss will commence in June 2009.

Three letters are all it takes to make car fans’ hearts beat faster: SLR. In the 1950s the Mercedes-Benz SLR 300 celebrated victory after victory. It won the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio as well as the Tourist Trophy. It was driven by the stars of the time: Juan Manual Fangio and Karl Kling – and, first and foremost, by the British racing driver Stirling Moss. At ten hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds he still holds the Mille Miglia record.

This is why the modern-day version of the legendary SLR carries the additional words “Stirling Moss” in its name. As the new SLR Stirling Moss unites the character of the current SLR models with the fascination of the SLR of 1955. The core values of both the historical and the present-day SLR models include an exciting new design, innovative technology, high-class materials displaying perfect craftsmanship, and, above all: a unique driving experience for all the senses.

Whilst the 300 SLR earned its spurs on racing circuits the world over, the new member of the SLR family is not designed for the racetrack. Although it sets new standards in terms of technology, performance and excitement – just like its forebears – it is aimed at individuals who have exquisite requirements and nurture very special dreams.

Highly puristic concept without a roof or a windscreen

Remaining totally true to the specifications of the 300 SLR, the new Silver Arrow’s equipment is extremely sophisticated and yet at the same time decidedly spartan, doing without both a roof and side windows. There are just two wind deflectors a couple of centimetres in height to protect the driver and passenger from the airflow. Two air scoops integrated into the bodywork serve as roll-over bars. With this extreme concept the new SLR Stirling Moss is visually very different from all the other vehicles which belong to the elite sports car class.

Just like the legendary racing vehicles of yesteryear, the SLR Stirling Moss dazzles with its superlative performance. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h this puristic high-performance sports car denotes completely new dimensions in open-top driving. And not just because of the impressive performance figures; every time drivers take to the wheel of the SLR Stirling Moss their senses are addressed with a previously unheard of intensity, conveying a driving experience in its purest and most sensual form. This automotive thoroughbred thus facilitates the kind of open-air feeling that is utterly unique for a road-going vehicle.

Exciting design reminiscent of the SLR racing cars

The SLR Stirling Moss, its entire bodywork made of fine lightweight carbon fibre, represents a stand-alone design concept. Whilst the Mercedes-Benz designers were working on the body of the new SLR Stirling Moss, they were fully aware every single moment that they were creating a vehicle with a top speed of 350 km/h. At the same time this supreme athlete is highly reminiscent of the SLR racing cars from the 1950s, whose design idiom still never fails to impress to this day.

The SLR Stirling Moss sports an exciting, pronounced arrow-shaped form and is characterised by an elongated bonnet and a compact, muscular rear. As there is no windscreen, the exterior and interior flow smoothly into one. The bonnet also stretches from its striking tip right down into the interior, giving the vehicle body a distinctly sleek air. Even when standing still, the sports car radiates such dynamism that the observer immediately falls under its spell.

Further eye-catching features include two air scoops behind the driver and passenger. They carry additional roll-over bars, also uniting the traditional and the modern. The wings are powerfully contoured. Black-painted ventilation “gills” sitting facet-like on the sides and on the bonnet also cite the legend. A thrilling interplay of light and shadow ensues through the expressive lines, underlining the dynamic overall impression. Exactly as they were on the shining historical example, the side skirts on the new SLR Stirling Moss are also very high. This prompted the designers’ decision in favour of folding swing-wing doors which open forwards.

The vehicle can be closed by two tonneau covers which are carried in the boot. When both tonneau covers and the doors are closed the SLR Stirling Moss resembles a sculpture.

In keeping with the puristic exterior of the vehicle, the interior is also reduced to the bare essentials. Surfaces penetrating each other in the instrument panel and doors make for an exciting atmosphere and resonate perfectionism. A mixture of high-class authentic materials such as carbon fibre, aluminium and fine-quality leather sets the style here. An aluminium plate carries the engraved signature of Stirling Moss and covers the area around the shift lever.

Innovative technology and polished aerodynamic concept

Developers working on the Stirling Moss were able to fall back on a wealth of experience gathered when producing the SLR Coupé and Roadster, in particular where the technical base was concerned, with its extravagant carbon-fibre design, high-performance suspension and throaty V8 engine. The common denominator uniting the Stirling Moss with the other members of the SLR family is the aerodynamic concept with a closed underbody and a diffuser in the rear bumper for maximum possible downforce at the rear axle – with one difference: the diffuser here is considerably larger than that on the coupé and roadster.

Thanks to the high-precision work carried out in the wind tunnel, the SLR Stirling Moss always generates sufficient downforce for extremely safe handling. But the driver can also manually operate the AIRBRAKE in order to increase the contact pressure further, during particularly sporty driving, for example. The AIRBRAKE is also raised during powerful braking at speeds above 120 km/h, so as to stabilise the vehicle even more in such situations, thus facilitating maximum possible deceleration.

Limited to 75 units – the SLR models’ crowning glory

The new SLR Stirling Moss is the kind of high-calibre speedster coveted by the sporting gentry and enthusiasts alike. At the same time it is a collector’s item which marks the pinnacle of an era and, for the foreseeable future, at least, the final curtain for the SLR. In May 2009 production of the SLR models will cease; only a total of 75 units of the Stirling Moss will be manufactured between June and December 2009, bearing chassis numbers from 1 to 75. Not only does this exclusive vehicle represent the conclusion of the current SLR family; it also serves as a very special thank you to the most loyal of SLR customers, for they are the only ones able to acquire a Stirling Moss.

Now that Lewis Hamilton has secured the Formula One championship, supercar fans around the world are asking when he’ll get his hands on that rare McLaren F1 LM. The incredibly valuable supercar – initially reported at $4 million but now apparently worth closer to 8 – was promised to the budding young driver if he won the title. However, the condition was that he win both the drivers title and, together with team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, lock up the constructors’ title for the team, as well. Although he won the drivers’ championship, the constructors’ crown went to arch-rivals Ferrari, but since McLaren chief Ron Dennis is such a good sport, he’s renegotiated the terms.

If Hamilton manages to repeat his title victory with a hat-trick – that is, take another two championships – he’ll get his hands on the bright orange supercar. That’s quite a challenge, but Dennis called it a “small price to pay for three world championships.” Indeed, but by then McLaren will have a whole slew of supercars on the market for Lewis to choose from. In the meantime, he’d better keep his head down and focus on the prize.

McLaren F1 LM

It looks like McLaren and Mercedes are completing one more variant of their SLR before making their break-up official. This time, the Mercedes McLaren SLR Speedster was recently spotted testing at the Nurburgring, looking fine in its chess board camouflage. But, the super secret next-gen Mercedes SLC is out there too, planning to make both the slow-selling SLR and the Audi R8 obsolete in one fell swoop.
What we should expect from the SLR Speedster, as well as video of its ‘ring run after the jump.The McLaren SLR Speedster, scheduled for a July 30th debut, will be 440 lb lighter than the hardtop and be limited to just 75 units. Expect the blow-out special SLR Speedster to outperform the SLR with a near 220mph top speed, but also expect the SLC to blow that figure out of the water courtesy of an impossibly powerful supercharged engine.

Wow, we’re happy when we manage to get a couple spy photos of a test car. But it must be Christmas, because this time around we got a whole Video of one. And this is no standard car either. Ladies and Gentlemen, allow us to present the next iteration of the Mercedes SLR McLaren. This is the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Speedster!

Rumors have been floating recently about a chop top AND windshield-less version of the SLR. And this video goes a long ways to validate that the Mercedes SLR Speedster McLaren will be an actual car. Reports say the Speedster will weigh 200kg less than the current SLR, mainly because it will be missing the top half of the car, but also because air conditioning will not be necessary in this car.

The other fun rumors about the car is the SLR Speedster’s top speed is rumored at around 218mph and it can go from 0-300km/h (180mph) in 26 seconds; only 75 are going to be produced and will cost more than a $1 million.

It still is very early in the development cycle, but stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

As you may know, British Automotive show TopGear is back and in full swing for their 11th season already. And to show that they are still “in touch with the needs of the people” they felt the need to give advice on fuel economy and saving money. (That and apparently the BBC is sending them letters and letters and letters). And in true Jeremy Clarkson style, he decided to gather 5 supercars and have a race. But it wouldn’t be an ordinary race, oh no. It had to have that Topgear / Jeremy Clarkson touch.

The 5 cars in the race, the Mercedes SLR Mclaren, the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Aston Martin DBS, the Ferrari 599GTB, and the Audi R8 would only have 1 gallon of gas each. They raced around their TopGear Test Track until the winner was decided.

While we couldn’t link straight to the video, as the BBC would eventually come knocking down our AutoAlerts tower for copyright infringement, I’m sure you can find the results rather easily by heading over to your favorite video site and searching for the appropriate terms. Here’s some search terms we suggest: TopGear, 11, Supercar Economy Test.

We will give away a little of the result though. As Clarkson said: its not what you drive, its how you drive it.

With the less-than-popular Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren set to get the official axe in 2009, the path is opening for the next McLaren-branded supercar to make its debut. It’s expected to be built at McLaren’s facility in Woking, England, McLaren has plans for the vehicle to highly compete with Ferrari’s incredible F430.

The rumor mill is saying the McLaren will be powered by a 550-horsepower V8 engine featuring a basic design from Mercedes and built by Mahle (formerly Cosworth tuning fame), the power-to-weight ratio should handily outdo that of the Prancing Stallion. Shortly after the new coupe codenamed P11 is unveiled, a convertible version is also expected.

Alos, Hardcore McLaren enthusiasts should mark 2012 as the year that McLaren returns with a proper replacement for its legendary F1. Powered by a lightweight version of the P11 architecture, this car codenamed the P12 is expected to be powered by a V10 engine with over 600 horsepower. The waiting list will likely start right… about… now.

All We’ve got to say is Where the hell do I sign up, and where do I have to go to get the money to pay for it…

McLaren. The company has a racing history rivaled only by Ferrari. Creators of not just winning Formula 1 cars, but, the Legendary F1 Supercar and The also impressive SLR. With their corporate’s world headquarters and production headquarters a couple kilometers outside of Surry in the United Kingdom. Their 613,500 square foot facility was designed by the architects from Foster and Partners to reflect the high technology present at McLaren.

Not only does it play host and creator to some serious hardware like the Mercedes McLaren SLR 722 GT, but they’ve got its own series of lakes!

But managing a place where the slowest car still gives Ferrari a run for their money means organization. You can’t have your mechanics wasting their time looking for that 10MM socket set Johnny used a few hours ago. So as one might expect, the place is clean enough to eat off the floor of their McLaren Technology Centre.

Aside from their own chain of lakes to provide a serene backdrop, it has a wind tunnel, development garages, floating, evil-lair style walkways, and meeting rooms and office space for all of the bean counters and engineers. And the price to work in such a dungeon? Slaving away at 600+ HP supercars like the SLR…

Those poor saps. You can check out more of the McLaren Technology Centre here.