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It's time to take all that loose change to the bank. Cash in your Premium Bonds and make sure you're named in granny's will, because Mercedes-Benz is now taking deposits for the SLR supercar. You'll have another two years to get several evening jobs, a paper-round and to ask the boss for a raise as the car won't hit the road until 2003. The combination of Mercedes engineering and the exciting influence of McLaren are sure to make the Mercedes SLR McLaren a truly great motoring icon and an instant collector's item. supercharged Under the lengthy bonnet will be a Mercedes-AMG tuned V8 5.5 litre supercharged engine, good enough to propel the car to 62mph in an estimated 4.2 seconds. Top speed will be just shy of 200mph. This will be the first Mercedes to be built in Britain. It is being developed and will be constructed at the McLaren factory in Woking, Surrey. DaimlerChrysler is the largest shareholder with a 40 per cent holding in the TAG McLaren Group. A striking prototype of the SLR wowed the crowds at the 1999 Detroit Motor Show and has gone on to attract world-wide interest. It is expected that just 500 of the left-hand drive only cars will be produced each year. They are expected to cost in the region of £240,000 - £260,000. More than fifty a year are expected to be sold in Britain. formula 1 The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren will include materials and ground-breaking technical innovations adopted from Formula 1. The bodywork will be made of a combination of carbon fibre and other 'high-performance materials' to give maximum rigidity and safety protection at a weight that will set the standards in this class of car. The car has a target weight of 1,400 kilos. Advanced aerodynamics and fibre-reinforced ceramic brakes will give the car huge road-hugging and stopping qualities. gullwing The concept SLR displayed a blend of F1 race design, the Mercedes "four eyes" headlamps and gullwing doors, which open automatically - hopefully only when stationery - by means of gas-pressure springs; these reminiscent of the legendary SL sports cars of the 1950s. Dermot Kelly, Director of Mercedes-Benz cars in the UK, said: "Both of these cars represent the ultimate in their respective classes. The genuine interest from would-be purchasers has been higher than anyone had imagined. "Even though it will be two years before we see these cars in Britain, we are having to ask people to confirm their interest now with a £25,000 deposit to join a world-wide reservation list for both the Maybach and the SLR." Deposits will be held in interest-bearing accounts and the totals will be off-set against the eventual purchase price of each car. Names will not be transferable. Interested individuals with sufficient funds for both the deposit and remaining balance should register their interest by calling 0207 536 3534. and finally... May we make one plea? When you get your SLR, don't leave it locked up in your air-conditioned barn like some automotive trinket - drive it! Link: www.mclarencars.com |
