Footnotes

• ‘The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren revives the glorious tradition of the SLR and marks the reawakening of Mercedes-Benz’s passion for super sports cars. It is a passion which can be traced way back through automotive history and which was demonstrated with the Uhlenhaut Coupé. A contemporary interpretation of stylistic elements lifted from the original SLR and design details taken from the 2003 Formula 1 Silver Arrows allows the 21st-Century SLR to form a bridge between the past and the future, bringing cutting-edge motorsport technology to the road, just as the inspirational SLR Coupé did in 1955.’ - Daimler Chrysler.
  Their new supercar allows Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren to showcase their collective experience in the development, construction and production of high-performance sports cars and, just like its legendary 300SLR predecessor of 1955, incorporates technological developments which are ahead of their time. Yet the term ‘supercar’ does not do full justice to the SLR, which, its peerless performance notwithstanding, is a luxurious and finely engineered Gran Turismo in the best traditions of Mercedes-Benz.
  The heart of any car is its engine, and that of the SLR McLaren is truly outstanding. Produced at Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance division, where each unit is the responsibility of one engineer who carries out the entire assembly process, it is a 5.5-litre, 24-valve, supercharged V8 producing 617bhp, making it one of the most powerful engines to be found in a series-produced road-going sports car. Impressive though this peak horsepower figure is, it is the torque produced by this state-of-the-art ‘blown’ motor that is its most remarkable feature. The torque curve is almost flat: there is already 440lb/ft by 1,500 rpm and well over 500lb/ft between 3,000 and 5,000 revs. As Car & Driver magazine observed: ‘This lends mind-boggling elasticity to the SLR, with passing performance that has to be felt to be appreciated.’
  In the interests of maximum fuel efficiency, the screw-type compressor is controlled by the engine management system, which is sensitive to engine speed and load, and is only activated - albeit instantaneously - when the driver floors the accelerator. Needless to say, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren delivers performance figures which are among the best in its class, taking just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph), it passes the 200km/h (125mph) mark after 10.6 seconds and from a standing start takes just 28.8 seconds to reach 300km/h (186mph). The two-seater has a top speed of 334km/h (207 mph).
  A front-engined layout was chosen for the SLR in the interests of optimum weight distribution, handling dynamics and braking stability, the motor’s dry-sump lubrication system - more commonly found in competition cars - enabling it to be mounted lower in the chassis. The five-speed automatic transmission, already used in several high-performance Mercedes-Benz models, has been specially optimised for very high torque and also offers the driver the option of choosing between different shift characteristics using the Speedshift system.
  Extending the long-term technological collaboration that Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have enjoyed in Formula 1, the SLR’s carbon fibre composite monocoque body/chassis structure is produced in the latter’s all-new facility in Woking, England. Carbon fibre has been used for decades in the aeronautical industry and in the construction of Formula 1 cars, but is comparatively rare in series-produced road cars because of the expense involved in manufacturing composite structures by hand. Using several patented innovations, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have been able to bring a measure of automation to the carbon fibre manufacturing process, enabling the material’s benefits of low weight, exemplary rigidity and strength, corrosion resistance and significantly higher energy absorption in the event of an impact, to be offered in the SLR.
  This philosophy of weight saving has been extended to the design of the suspension. Clearly showing its Formula 1 parentage, the latter is by means of double wishbones all round, forged in aluminium, as are the hub carriers. The anti-roll bar is positioned above the front suspension and - as in Formula 1 - is controlled via rocker arms. A relatively long wheelbase (at 2,700mm) also contributes to the SLR’s exemplary handling and directional stability, while the wide track, combined with the low centre of gravity, allows high cornering speeds.
  The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is speed sensitive, while the SLR’s Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) enable its sporting nature to shine through while maintaining the usual safety standards, achieving an ideal compromise between outstanding dynamic handling and exemplary directional stability. The pioneering use of composite technology has also been extended to the brake discs, which are manufactured from a fibre-reinforced ceramic material capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures and offering a level of fade resistance hitherto unattainable in series-produced road cars. Topping off this technological tour de force is the electronically controlled rear spoiler, which rises to an angle of 65 degrees when the driver brakes heavily, boosting the braking effect by increasing aerodynamic drag and lending the SLR outstanding stability when braking from high speeds.
  
  The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was launched in South Africa and introduced for the 2005 model year priced at $455,000 (approximately £242,000) although choosing from the lengthy list of options could add considerably to the total. This left-hand drive SLR was sold new in April 2005 to the current owner via DaimlerChrysler Monaco and has covered 22,000 kilometres from new. Finished most appropriately in Gris Argent, it features the optional ‘turbine’ wheels, special seats and classic ‘300SL’ red leather upholstery. Benefiting from a full service undertaken 2,000 kilometres ago, when it was fitted with four new tyres, the car is offered with original bill of sale, service history/invoices, owner’s manual and Monegasque registration papers.
  
  La Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren a été lancée en Afrique du Sud et présentée dans sa version 2005 au prix de 455 000 USD (environ 242 000 livres), mais le choix de certaines options dans la longue liste proposée peut augmenter considérablement ce prix de base. Cette SLR à conduite à gauche, vendue neuve en avril 2005 au propriétaire actuel, via DaimlerChrysler Monaco, a couvert 22 000 km depuis le début. Peinte très judicieusement en gris argent, elle possède les roues “ turbine ” optionnelles, des sièges spéciaux et une sellerie classique en cuir rouge “ 300SL ”. Bénéficiant d'un entretien complet effectué 2 000 km plus tôt, avec montage de quatre pneus neufs, la voiture est offerte avec sa facture d'achat originale, son historique et ses factures d'entretien, son manuel d'utilisation et ses papiers d'immatriculation monégasques.
  

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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