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These are the best, undoctored, photos we've seen so far of Mercedes' upcoming supercar, the McLaren-built SLR. You can see clearly that the design is little changed from the Vision SLR concept car, and that Mercedes hasn't compromised on the gorgeous gull-wing doors. Less lairy than the CLK GTR, the SLR is restrained and elegant, with a strong family resemblance to both the SL and CLK, yet is still utterly awesome-looking - it's a true classic Merc.
Under the long bonnet is an AMG-developed 5.5-litre V8, supercharged to deliver around 555 bhp and 516 lb ft torque, according to unofficial estimates. Its 0-60 acceleration time is thought to be little over 4 seconds, and top speed should easily top 200 mph, unless it is electronically restricted on production versions. Its weight is estimated to be just over 3000 lbs, thanks to aluminium and carbonfibre chassis component and a lightweight composite folding roof vapour-plated with aluminium (a panoramic 'moonroof' will be offered).
The SLR also features ceramic disc brakes, adaptive headlights that 'see' around corners and electronic componentry including brake-by-wire - and it could also showcase an early application of Mercedes' latest accident prevention technology, Pre-Safe, which recognises a potential collision and puts the safety systems (seatbelt pretensioners, air bags and so on) on standby.
Mercedes owns 40 percent of TAG McLaren, which includes plastics, electronics and road car engineering businesses as well as McLaren's Formula One team. The F1 cars already use DaimlerChrysler engines, and the companies have been working together very closely. McLaren will build the SLR for Mercedes under contract at its new £200million, 130-acre complex near Woking in Surrey, and around 50 a year will be made, ensuring exclusivity. The McLaren and Formula One connections are likely to be played up in the promotion and marketing of this car - Mercedes won't be keen to emphasis its original influence as being the Mercedes 2000 Le Mans contender, which made a hasty and embarassing exit from the race after departing skywards from the track. The SLR will have been thoroughly engineered for better high-speed stability and reduction of 'lift'...
Deposits of £25,000 (yes, that's just the deposit) have already been taken; the full price is thought to be around the £250,000 mark. For seriously wealthy enthusiasts of exotica, though, it's no great price to pay for an alternative to a Ferrari or Lamborghini (or for an addition to an aleady magnificent supercar collection).
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