Do this with any amount of ability, and you're rewarded with 0-to60-mph sprints in only 3.6 seconds. The quartermile is dispatched in 11.6 seconds at 125 miles per hour, as well as that outcome may improve on the warmer surface.

Experienced testers can equal the start operation of the SLR's equilibrium-control system (ESP in Mercedes-speak) by changing to the second, less intrusive location and finessing the gas pedal for grip, but they may not overcome it. In the standard ESP mode, you have quite powerful launching manage, and because the SLR has 575 poundfeet of torque from 3250 rpm, that program may be worth its weight in goldplated connectors. It was also reassuring to understand the large ceramic brake rotors and equally considerable calipers would fast slough away speed at the conclusion of every 130-mph run to the comparatively short Malmsheim airstrip.

It could include a downshift to get it done, however a huge dig in the accelerator produces the sort of push that had everybody in our group shaking their heads in amazement.

In any scenario aside from a dry day on the straight street, a deep prod in the accelerator will probably be answered from the actions of both motor and digital watchdogs. The motor would like to offer its all as the digital systems want to save your own life. Even then, we had a handful of events in traffic when a stab in the pedal created a short twitch of the tail.

That explains why Mercedes won't enable the ESP to be powered down entirely. Actually, while we were pondering this scheme in a break in the evaluation session, someone asked why one even desires 617 hp in a streetgoing auto. The reply came from a different author: "To reach 207 mph."

Exactly. If a business having a long motorsports history would like to flaunt its tradition in an automobile that evokes the 300SLR of old and also the Formula 1 McLaren of today, it should breech the 200-mph mark within exactly the same manner Ferrari's Enzo does. To drive a large car such as the SLR through an increasingly immune setting for the 200-mph mark-specially if it has a flat-bottom, front and rear diffusers, plus a tail spoiler made to provide downforce at speedyou need large horsepower.

Mercedes performance partner AMG understands where you can find it. AMG understands the way to package that, also. Considering a fully-dressed AMG SLR engine, you can easily recognize the unit's compact dimensions. The 5.4liter V-8 in the SLR wears singleoverhead-cam threevalve heads which are unusually compact. A dry-sump lubrication system enables the V-8 to be housed below with a classic oil pan.

Even the sidepipe exhaust system, with its perpendicular mufflers, helps keep the centralized. The motor sits comfortably amidships, well behind the front-axle line, and plays a role in the auto's almost ideal weight distribution. That gives some specific handling advantages to the SLR, including a chassis that takes additional steering lock in midbend without criticism plus a front-end that hangs on nicely when you anticipate understeer. Certainly, the SLR pulls a remarkable 0.97 grams in the skidpad, despite tires that seem to be, at least in writing, less generous than what Dodge may affect a simple 500hp auto.

The sole difficulty here is that you are currently traveling at high velocity once the vehicle comes truly living in the hands.

Avoid being misled. As are all ride sensations and throttle response, its steering is considerably more immediate. As a quick GT the vehicle, we were told repeatedly, was usually imagined. Which would clarify the ample trunk room in contrast to several other vehicles of the automatic climate-control, the three interior storage compartments, the style, the highend audio system, and also the customfit leather seats. (Pillows of numerous thicknesses are fixed for the carbonfiber seat shells to tailor each owner's match to the $455,500 rocket.)

Therein lies the amazing paradox. Mercedes has attempted to balance the SLR someplace between civilized grand tourer and allout supercar. This inside a swoopy carbonfiber monocoque chassis which has an unlike-length controlarm suspension whatsoever corners, gullwing doors, an active back airbrake/spoiler, sidepipe exhausts, and an engine that expresses energy with each revolution. However all these sporty flourishes come in conjunction with a considerable 3858, various and sundry luxurious trappings, plus the automatic transmission - pound curb weight.

Obviously, it is a car meant for a function. Fortunately for people (and owners together with the means), technology enables auto designers lots of leeway nowadays, than was possible only a couple of years back enabling less compromise. You may really have your own cake and eat that, also.

This specific piece of cake is very carefully baked. Based on Le Mans winner Klaus Ludwig, one case of scrupulous development is the wiper blades to the SLR function at 200 miles per hour. Precisely what one may do at 200 miles per hour within the rain is anyone's figure, however it is pleasant to understand this limitedproduction GT has received all its methods extensively checked out.

Specifications

Vehicle Type: - 2-door convertible, production car
Price: - $495,000
Configuration: - Front Engine
Engine: - Supercharged V8
Capacity: - 5439 cc
Torque: - 575 lb-ft at 3250 rpm
Horsepower: - 617 bhp at 6500 rpm
Transmission: - 5-Speed Automatic
Length: - 183.3 inches
Width: - 75.1 inches
Height: - 49.3 inches
Weight: - 4023 lbs
0-60 mph: - 3.8 sec
Top speed: - 206 mph