The Stuttgart-based brand
Puristic
soft top is designed for high speeds
Das puristische Stoffverdeck ist hoch- geschwindigkeits- tauglich |
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren RoadsterStuttgart - The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster combines high-tech from motor racing and the power of a top high-performance sports car with the long-distance attributes and sophisticated atmosphere of a classic Gran Tourismo car.
Puristic soft top is designed for high speeds The exceptional qualities of the Roadster are attributable also to the fully retractable top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the SLR McLaren. Its newly developed roof material, which has an interesting new look, not only guarantees complete suitability for everyday use in all weathers, but also endows the high-performance sports car with characteristics that are highly unusual in a roadster. For example, the top speed of 332 km/h with the roof up matches the extraordinary figure set by the Coupé. The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, thereby combining the desire for convenience with the purist character of the roadster. To open, the roof merely needs to be disengaged from the windscreen frame and briefly raised, after which it folds away electro-hydraulically. The aluminium bow integrated into the front section of the roof forms a stylish cover for the soft top when it is folded down. A high level of safety is assured by steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed rollover bars. Sophisticated aerodynamics and racing-type chassis In the wind tunnel, the Roadster has been optimised for high speeds with regard to handling, aero-acoustics and aerodynamics. It likewise employs the aerodynamic concept already known from the coupé version, featuring an airbrake integrated into the access lid and a diffuser in the rear bumper to provide increased downforce on the rear axle. In order to provide the best possible weight distribution, and therefore perfect handling dynamics and a high level of braking stability, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster was designed as a sports car with a front-mid engine behind the front axle. Thanks to its low installed position, its AMG V8 compressor engine with air-to-water intercooling, three-valve technology, dry sump lubrication and four metal catalytic converters ensures a favourably low centre of gravity. With 460 kW/626 hp and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, the AMG V8 compressor engine, which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, catapults the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 3.8 seconds. The open-top two-seater is equipped with a suspension that was bred on the race track, an electrohydraulic brake system, as well as high-endurance carbon-fibre/ceramic brake discs which offer optimum braking performance, thermal resistance and durability. Unrivalled safety and exclusive appointments A high standard of safety is ensured by unique carbon-fibre crash structures, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed rollover bars. Other safety features include adaptive airbags, knee and sidebags, seat belt pretensioners and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The exclusive standard equipment includes semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fibre bucket seats which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger by means of differently sized seat pads; dual-zone automatic air-conditioning; a high-quality BOSE premium sound system; a multifunction sport steering wheel with gear-change paddles, and a navigation system with integral radio and CD-changer. The new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster, like the Coupé, is produced at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England, in accordance with stringent Mercedes-Benz quality criteria, and will be available from September 2007.
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