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The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German super car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. Daimler AG, owner of Mercedes-Benz, also owns 40% of the McLaren Group.
Due to the presence of the automatic gear box, front mid-engined arrangement and its driving characteristics lead some commentators to classify the SLR McLaren as a GT whose rivals can be considered to be e.g. the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
SLR stands for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz has stated that they will build 3500 SLRs in a span of 7 years, with an annual production of only 500 cars.The car's base price is GB£300,000 (approx. US$495,000 or €475,000, c. 2007).
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR of 1955, based on the W196 F1 car, yet named after the road-going 300SL Gullwing. On 4 April 2008, Mercedes announced they will cease production of the SLR. The last of the coupes rolled off the production line at the end of 2007 and the roadster version is due to be discontinued in early 2009.
Don't look now, but there's another Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren special on the scene. The latest comes via FAB Design, the tuner that shocked us with their modded SL and CL in Geneva last year. Now they've turned their attention to the SLR and dubbed the result "Desire." If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, desire must be in the loins, and this one leaves us kind of limp. While it isn't as divisively over-the-top as, say, the ASMA Perfectus or the Hamann Volcano, or as garish as the chrome or gold ones we've seen, we'd prefer the SLR 722 GT directly from Mercedes.
The carbon fiber rebody is distinctive and bold, and might not be as bad as we implied. It has a certain DTM machismo to it that might appeal to certain SLR fanciers who want something a little different. In its favor, the FAB Design Desire isn't all about looks. It does feature some suspension tweaks and engine mods that bring power up to 750 hp and nearly 800 torques. And all of that bodywork, along with that optional rear wing, are said to increase downforce considerably. Only 15 will be offered and rather amazingly, all are said to be spoken for. There's a full press release after the jump.
SLR Mclaren Video
SLR mclaren pictures
NOS is needed! Just for kicks.
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