Roadster is the third SLR model
These are the first official pictures of the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster.
Since its launch in 2004, the big supercar has had a mixed reaction from both press and public alike, so M-B will no doubt be hoping the addition of fresh air and sun tan possibilities to the SLR’s repertoire will renew interest.
The Roadster’s new roof panel is made from carbon fibre and opens and closes in less than ten seconds. However, it’s only semi-automatic in operation, meaning the driver still has to manually unlatch and push clear the roof from the window header rail. Strangely, Mercedes has chosen to limit the colour choice of this roof panel to only three different shades.
The essential SLR recipe remains much the same however. The V8 compressor engine produces an identical 617bhp and 575lb ft of torque, with drive passing through a five-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels. The construction is still an exotic mix of carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels over a carbon fibre monocoque with only the supporting frames for the engine crafted from aluminium.
Engine produces the same 617bhp as coupe
Unique carbon fibre crash elements in the structure and reinforced steel A-pillars, along with two fixed roll-over bars, line up in the SLR’s safety arsenal along with the usual passive safety features. The firm is confident that normal conversation is possible at speeds of over 120mph such is the work that’s gone into the air flow management around the car. In fact, the Roadster shares its 207mph top speed with the coupe, although there’s no word on whether the engineers have tested the strength of the average human scalp to withstand such punishment.
The SLR Roadster is due to join the regular coupe and the recently launched and more focused ‘722 edition’ on sale this September. Expect a price tag somewhere around £350,000.
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