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Mercedes-Benz Unveils SLR McLaren in Frankfurt

FRANKFURT, Germany, The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is making its world premiere today during press activities preceding the opening of the Frankfurt Auto Show. The new SLR super sports car marks a new era of Mercedes-Benz passion for high-performance sports cars and, at the same time, celebrates the formidable SLR race cars of the 1950s. A futuristic interpretation of styling elements from the original 300SLR and from the latest Formula 1 Silver Arrow race cars bridges the past and future, bringing cutting-edge motorsports-inspired design to the road, just as the legendary SLR "Uhlenhaut Coupe" did in 1955.

A supercharged V8 producing over 600 horsepower rockets the new SLR from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds, and its top speed exceeds 200 mph. Stopping the car is equally quick, thanks to ceramic brake discs and an innovative air brake mounted in the trunk lid. When the driver heavily applies the brake pedal, the air brake pops up at a 65-degree angle, increasing drag and providing greater down force.

A Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Collaboration

The new SLR super sports car allows Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren to showcase their collective experience in the development and production of high-performance sports cars. This unique combination of expertise is evident not only in the pioneering developments and impressive performance of the new SLR, but also in its high levels of safety and practicality.

The limited-production SLR McLaren will go on sale in Europe late this year, and its U.S. market launch is planned for summer 2004.

Carbon Fiber Body

One dramatic example of technology transfer from Formula 1 racing is the carbon fiber composite construction of the new SLR body, which provides rigidity and strength never before achieved in road-going vehicles. Equally impressive is its high level of occupant protection. In a serious collision, specially designed crash structures of carbon fiber help the new super sports car absorb over four times more crash energy than convention steel or aluminum.

Ceramic Brake Discs

The ceramic brake discs on the SLR are made of a new composite material. Fiber-reinforced ceramic boasts astounding stopping power, high heat resistance, outstanding structural strength and long service life. The high-performance SLR sports car will be one of very few production cars to make use of ceramic brake technology. Fitted with huge eight-piston calipers up front, the brake system alone can decelerate the SLR up to 1.3 g, and the air brake adds to the braking force, especially at high speeds.

AMG Supercharged V8 Power

Under the SLR's hood lurks a supercharged V8 engine developed and built by Mercedes-AMG. Delivering well over 600 horsepower for 0-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration of about 3.7 seconds, each SLR engine is hand-built at AMG's manufacturing facility. The engine's dry-sump lubrication system -- originally developed for race cars to prevent oil starvation during extremely hard cornering -- includes a remote oil tank that eliminates any conventional oil pan or sump, allowing the engine to be mounted lower in the frame for better aerodynamics and an even lower center of gravity. The powerplant is also mounted in a front mid-engine position, largely behind the front wheels.

Reinventing the SLR Legend

Like the new car, the SLR sport-racing car of the 1950s combined leading-edge technology from the SL sports car and the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 race car. Its three-liter, straight-eight engine made 310 horsepower, pushing the 300SLR to speeds of around 190 miles per hour.

Perhaps the original SLR's most astonishing feat was in the 1955 Mille Miglia, a no-holds-barred race through Italy over twisty public roads. Setting a record never to be matched, Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson piloted the 300SLR over the 1000-mile road course in 10 hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds!

Broadening the Mercedes-Benz Product Portfolio

Not only does the new SLR boast a rich heritage, but the super sports car also has an exciting future as a flagship within the multi-dimensional Mercedes-Benz brand. With by far the broadest product portfolio of any luxury automaker, Mercedes-Benz offers an array of models ranging from mid-size coupes to large premium sedans as well as luxury roadsters and now the SLR super sports car.