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• Mercedes-Benz SLR

Mercedes-Benz SLR

This stunning new coupe from Mercedes conciously adopts style elements from the 1955 Mercedes SL and SLR racing car, and the McLaren-Mercedes Silver Arrow Formula 1 car. It is available in both coupe and drop-top roadster form. The bodywork is constructed from carbon fibre and aluminium, and the design also features gullwing doors incorporating remote-controlled door handles which automatically retract after you have gotten into the car.

Other technological innovations include an automatically opening COMAND screen for controlling the radio, CD changer and TV, tailor-made carbon seats adopted from motor racing and electronically tracked headlights which automatically adjust to the driving conditions and steering angle to provide precise illumination of the road surface.

The SLR is powered by a 5.5 litre supercharged V8 which delivers an impressive 557 hp. This is made possible by a supercharger and a water-based intercooler with independent cooling circuit. Keeping all this power under reign is achieved with the use of the electro-hydraulic Sensortronic Brake System (SBS) which combines ABS and ESP (electronic stability program). The SBS computer calculates the optimum brake power required for each wheel in any given set of conditions. The brake discs themselves are constructed from fibre-reinforced ceramic.

If all this has whetted your appetite for an SLR ( and who could blame you?!), bear in mind that they will probably go on sale for around £:190,000 and there is no doubt a waiting list already!

Year:	2000	Engine:	Supercharged V8
Capacity:	5.5 Litres	Power:	557 hp
0-60:	4.2 secs	Top Speed	320 km/h

Related Links

The Mercedes-Benz website
http://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk