IDIADA Spain 16 August

Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren

612 PS ( recertified with 626 PS )
780 Nm

Compression ratio: 8.8

5.5 Liters

Boot volume 275 Liters,( compartment inside car 40 Liters )

Performance.

0-100: 3.8s
0-200: 10.6s
0-300: 28.8s

Top speed: 334 km/h

Cd value: 0.38

Weight of car: 1768kg*

1.* (Weight according to EC reg.
90% fuel,7kg equipment and driver 68kg)

Drivers report:
Two SLR,one black and one silver both completely unmasked.

First the Handling Pad: We started of by driving the SL500,SL55 and then on to the SLR for comparisons sake.
The difference between the SL500 and the SL55 to the SLR is like comparing a GT3 to an S500 if you consider the steering feel and balance.

Handling Track: A taxi ride with one of the Test drivers from Mclaren. AMAZING!

High Speed Oval: We got to drive all the cars for two laps with a speed of 200km/h on the banks and 250km/h on the straights.

Next a taxi ride in the SLR at full speed!! 330km/h on the straights.
The car seemed very stable and composed.

To sum it up:
The car accelerates violently of the line and then keeps on going to the max accompanied by a thunderous exhaust/engine roar inside the cabin.
Brake pedal feel: artificial and very difficult to moderate.
Steering feel: very precise but too nervous at high speeds.
Overall design of the car is excellent for a "GT",but it can`t match the Carrera GT for visual drama.
That said ,it doesn`t have the looks of a real "Supercar" and with the new mini SLR (SLK) coming soon and the facelifted SL later with a similar front end as the SLR I think
there is a real chance the SLR won`t be seen as anything more than just a normal Mercedes to the average person on the street.
Worst design faults on the car has to be the standard 18 inch rims and the steering wheel, same one as in the SL55.
Noise level inside the car at acceleration and at high speeds can be wearing.
Exhaust sound outside the car sounds like an SL55,only more nervous and much louder.
Excellent grip and balance.

Engine: Monstrous engine with excellent torque.
Steering: Extremely direct,a bit nervous at high speeds.
Brakes: Artificial feel,difficult to moderate otherwise excellent performance.
Balance: Excellent grip and balance.
Looks: Overall impression,best looking GT but lacks the visual drama of the Carrera GT and other Supercars.Don`t get me wrong, "It looks Awesome".

THE CARS WE DROVE WERE NOT PRODUCTION CARS,THEY STILL HAVE SOME DEVELOPMENT TO DO
BEFORE DELIVERIES START.

The first cars will be delivered in the end of March or end of April 2004.

Price has not been revealed yet but is expected to be in the region of Euro 350.000 excl.VAT

SORRY! NO CAMERAS WERE ALLOWED AT THE IDIADA FACILITY.