The vehicles shown on this website are no longer available for purchase. The illustrations and instructions are intended for informational purposes only. Mercedes-Benz SLR Coupé, SLR 722 Edition, SLR Roadster, SLR Roadster 722 S, SLR Stirling Moss – Fuel consumption (urban/ extra-urban/ combined): 20,9 l/ 10,8l/ 14,5 l/100 km, CO2 emissions (combined): 459-295 g/km.
Carbon
The vision: a lightweight material offering maximum tensile strength, electrical conductivity and excellent durability. The solution: carbon, or rather carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic – known as CFRP for short. But carbon comes in many guises. This miracle material can be manufactured in various qualities, different weave types and different weave strengths, depending on the intended application. With its outstanding properties, the material was quickly adopted for use in motorsport; all Formula 1 cars were given a carbon chassis.
The vision: a lightweight material offering maximum tensile strength, electrical conductivity and excellent durability. The solution: carbon, or rather carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic – known as CFRP for short. But carbon comes in many guises. This miracle material can be manufactured in various qualities, different weave types and different weave strengths, depending on the intended application. With its outstanding properties, the material was quickly adopted for use in motorsport; all Formula 1 cars were given a carbon chassis.
The engine
The heart of the SLR is its AMG 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine. With torque of 780 Nm from as low as 3250 revolutions per minute and a power rating of 460 kW/626 bhp, this engine enables the Mercedes-Benz SLR coupé and Mercedes-Benz SLR roadster to achieve a top speed of 334 km/h. The SLR rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h in 10.6 seconds and from 0 to 300 km/h in 30.9 seconds. A brutal speed with the same irrepressible energy as seen in its predecessor in the 1950s. The front mid-engine is located behind the front axle to provide optimum load distribution and improved handling. A sophisticated engine and charge air cooling system maintains cooling at optimal levels – essential in view of these performance figures.
Even in extreme driving conditions, the dry sump lubrication ensures a steady supply of oil to the engine and lowers the car's centre of gravity.
Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition and Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 S: 478 kW/650 bhp, top speed 337 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h in 10.5 seconds and from 0 to 300 km/h in 29.6 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss: 478 kW/650 PS, Höchstgeschwindigkeit 350 km/h, Beschleunigung von 0 auf 100 km/h in 3,2 Sekunden, von 0 auf 200 km/h in 10,2 Sekunden und von 0 auf 300 km/h in 29,1 Sekunden.
The braking system
Under emergency braking at 100 km/h, the SLR will stop in just 2.6 seconds. And at 200 km/h, it will come to a standstill in 5.1 seconds. That is more than double the speed of the acceleration and feels almost as if someone has thrown an anchor onto the road. During the planning phase, it was obvious that the SLR would require ceramic brakes reinforced with carbon fibre. The advantages of ceramic brake discs are significantly shorter stopping distances with a potential brake power of up to 2000 bhp. And they do not fade, even if the driving style is very sporty.
Most of the components in the SLR's braking system are exactly the same as those found in motorsport technology. Fitted with eight pistons at the front and four at the back, the torsion-free mono brake callipers made from aluminium help to give the SLR that added edge. The efficiency of the overall braking system is further testament to the SLR's pioneering role.
The aerodynamics
When the driver pushes the start button, the AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine catapults the SLR from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The SLR's drag coefficient is relatively low because the airflow had to be specially designed to provide optimum downforce.
So that the extraordinary power lurking under the bonnet of the SLR does not cause it to take off, it features a unique aerodynamic concept that ensures all four wheels remain firmly on the ground.
The gills
To improve the cooling, the Mercedes-Benz racing cars of the 1950s were designed with side air gills as well as an exhaust system that protruded from the gills and was built into the chassis. In a clear homage to its ancestor, today's SLR has two side air outlets, each split into four segments.
As they did in the legendary original, the gills help to improve the engine cooling system but also create a vacuum that sucks the hot air out of the engine compartment.
The air ducting
A high-performance vehicle like the SLR needs particularly sophisticated air ducting that can cope with all situations. Below the front air inlets is a splitter that acts as a front air dam and maintains a defined level of downforce on the front axle. The wide gills on the front splitter suck in the air so that the air ducting causes it to flow along the underbody into the six air ducts of the rear diffuser, which is angled diagonally upwards.
This creates a vacuum – and therefore negative lift – under the whole car. When combined with the AIRBRAKE, this contact pressure is converted directly into traction and therefore provides directional stability and road holding.
The Airbrake
The supercar's concept is rounded off by a component that, in the form of a hydraulic air brake, was used in the 300 SLR back in 1955 – in Le Mans and at the Swedish Grand Prix. At 95 km/h, the AIRBRAKE opens automatically, rising upwards from its resting position by ten degrees. To give more downforce, it can be set manually at 30 degrees.
Under emergency braking, the AIRBRAKE will shoot up to 65 degrees, acting as a braking parachute. The adjustable rear aerofoil moves into different positions depending on the driving conditions, ensuring excellent and safe handling even at high speeds.
