RENNtech Karting / Aixro XR50: Inspired From The Mercedes SLR

If I had a loved one, the RENNtech Karting / Aixro XR50 may have been the perfect toy for asking this Christmas –think Santa will be generous this year and send me the cart and the...girls? Clearly inspired from the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GTR (click here for details), RENNtech’s cart is equipped with a 50Hp strong rotary engine that’s more than enough to sweep you off your feet. -More pics after the jump

Via: Motorpasion

Official: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

Mercedes just unleashed the long-awaited SLR McLaren Roadster which will go on sale from September 2007. Like the 1999 Vision SLR concept on which it's based, the production version of the SLR McLaren Roadster retains the scissor-type doors of its coupe counterpart. Unlike the SL and SLK roadsters, the SLR features a retractable soft-top which is available in three different colors. The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, with the driver having to a little “dirty” work by unlocking the roof from the windscreen frame and briefly raising it, after which it folds away electrically. We have to say that, while we love the SLR McLaren Roadster’s appearance with the top down, we’re not so enthusiastic about the cars looks when its roof on. -Click “read More…” below for high-res images & the press release

Disproving rumors that Mercedes would prefer the upgraded 650Hp V8 of the SLR McLaren 722 Special Edition, the Roadster retains the “stock” 626Hp turbocharged V8 which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission. According to Mercedes, the Roadster sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,8 sec while it reaches a maximum speed of 332km/h (206mph) which identical to the Coupe’s performance figures -3,8 sec & 334 km/h (207mph) respectively.

Press Release

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster: An open-air adventure for all the senses

Stuttgart, May 04, 2007

Mercedes-Benz will in future also market its SLR McLaren super sports car in the form of a roadster with a top. In common with Formula 1 vehicles of today, it, too, will be made of carbon fibre, a material that will endow the vehicle with a very high degree of safety as well as extreme torsional stiffness at the same high level as the coupé version. This gives rise, in combination with the racing-type chassis, to outstanding ride characteristics.

The maximum speed of the new high-performance sports car, which is powered by an AMG V8 compressor engine delivering 460 kW/626 hp, is 332 km/h, therefore at the same high level as the coupé. Although, thanks to its fully retractable top, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure in the highest performance class, its occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle's suitability for everyday use. Consequently, the new Roadster opens up a new dimension in refinement for open-top super sports cars.

Like the coupé version, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster once again unites the legend of the successful SLR racing models from the 1950s with the innovative technology of modern Formula 1 vehicles from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes team. Typical stylistic elements, such as the arrow-shaped tip of the Formula 1 Silver Arrow, establish a visual link with the racing cars. The SLR leg-end of the 50s lives on stylistically in the distinctive lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gullwing doors.

The new Roadster benefits technically from the many years of experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren. Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials, making the vehicle an exception among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the Roadster, complex carbon-fibre technology has been intelligently further developed for the monocoque chassis. The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and, therefore, extremely high occupant safety as well as a degree of torsional stiffness hitherto unattained in open-top vehicles. This leads to outstanding ride characteristics of the kind otherwise found only in closed-top super sports cars.

The puristic top is suitable for high speeds

The exceptional qualities of the Roadster are attributable also to the fully retractable top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the SLR McLaren. Its newly developed roof material, which is available in three different colours, not only guarantees complete suitability for everyday use in all weathers, but also endows the high-performance sports car with characteristics that are exception-ally unusual in a roadster. For example, at 332 km/h, the maximum speed is at the high level of the coupé version. Conversation is still possible at well over 200 km/h on open-air journeys thanks to the favourable aeroacoustics.

The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, thereby combining the desire for convenience with the puristic character of the roadster. To open, the roof merely needs to be unlocked from the windscreen frame and be briefly raised, after which it folds away electrically. Since an aluminium cover is integrated into its front section, the roof elegantly closes off the top when re-tracted.

Sophisticated aerodynamics and racing-type chassis

In the wind tunnel, the Roadster has been optimised for high speeds with regard to handling, aeroacoustics and aerodynamics. It likewise employs the aerodynamic concept already known from the coupé version, featuring an airbrake integrated into the access lid and a diffusor in the rear bumper to provide increased downforce on the rear axle.

The open two-seater is equipped with a racing-type chassis featuring high-performance carbon-ceramic brake discs, thereby setting extremely high stan-dards. Its front-mid-engine provides for optimum weight distribution. With 460 kW/626 hp and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, the AMG V8 compressor engine, which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, accelerates the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Unique safety and exclusive fittings

A high degree of safety is ensured by unique carbon-fibre crash elements, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed roll-over bars. The comprehensive specification also features adaptive airbags, knee and side airbags as well as seat belt tensioners and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The exclusive standard equipment includes semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fibre bucket seats which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger by means of differently sized seat pads; dual-zone automatic air-conditioning; a high-quality BOSE premium sound system; a multifunction sport steering wheel with gear-change paddles, and a navigation system with integral radio and CD player.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster, like the coupé, is produced at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England, in accordance with stringent Mercedes-Benz quality criteria and will be available as from September 2007.

Technorati: Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes+SLR+McLaren+Roadster, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Supercar Trifecta: Porsche Carrera GT vs Maserati MC12 vs Mercedes SLR McLaren

Some guys get all the luck; three of the most desired supercars of our time at Garda Lake which is located in Italy at the foot of the Alps. Five-and-a-half minutes of supercar porn. Need I say more? Via: Autoblog.it

Technorati: Porsche+Carrera+GT, Maserati+MC12, Mercedes+SLR+McLaren, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster Scooped

Nearly a decade after Mercedes premiered the coupe & roadster Vision SLR Concepts which was followed by the production version of the SLR McLaren Coupe, the German company has finally decided to put the roadster into production. Mercedes has already confirmed that the SLR McLaren Roadster will be unveiled this summer with the first cars being delivered to their owners in early 2008 and these are the first production-ready pictures of the car, courtesy of Caranddriver.

To keep the weight down Mercedes seems to have decided to fit its super-roadster with a soft-top but it’s still unclear whether it’ll get scissor-type doors. As for performance, although nothings sure yet, rumors have it that the Roadster will get the revised 5.4-liter supercharged V8 of the 722 Special Edition that delivers 650Hp (vs 626Hp of the stock version). Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Caranddriver

Technorati: Mercedes-Benz+SLR+McLaren, Roadster, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Time is of the Essence: 2007 Mercedes-Benz TAG Heuer Watch

If you own a Mercedes, and the purchase of one hasn’t left moths in your pockets, the design of the TAG Heuer SLR, especially for Mercedes-Benz, might interest you. This is the third watch to emerge as a result of the collaboration between the reputable automaker and the popular Swiss brand watch manufacturer.

The time piece measures speeds of up to 400 km/h and remains watertight down to 100 metres depth. Not to mention it’s just sexy as hell. The “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” watch will be available as of June 2007 through selected watch retailers. Only 3,500 units will be manufactured and prices aren’t being released. However, rest assured it won’t even compare to the price you paid for your SLR McLaren.

Via: Motorpasion & Emercedesbenz Post By: Dani

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sets first ever “London Speed Record”

In association with the British International Motor Show, Autocar magazine organized the first “London Speed Record”. The Brits got together a number of various sports cars including a BMW M6, a Mercedes McLaren SLR, a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and a Holden Maloo Ute.

Each vehicle was given a rolling start and the length of the City Airport’s one-mile runway in which to set the fastest time, 3 runs per vehicle. Cars entered the main runway via a slip road at 70-80 mph. The speed, officially timed, will be put forward as an official Guinness Book of Records entry for the London Land Speed Record. The winner was the Mercedes McLaren SLR which managed to go up to 175.7mph

Comments: "It was absolutely breathtaking and a fantastic feeling to set the record in a British-built car," said Autocar’s magazine’s editor at large Sutcliffe, which organized the attempt.

"The McLaren has the power, the technology and the stability to hit those high speeds with incredible control," added Sutcliffe. "This is the fastest any production car has ever been driven legally in London".

Richard Gooding, Managing Director, London City Airport said "It was certainly an interesting transformation from runway to racetrack. The cars certainly reached maximum speed and looked as if they were going to take off, it was great to see".

Vehicle	Record Attempt Speed
Mercedes McLaren SLR	175.7 mph - 282.5 km/h
Ford GT	174.3 mph - 280.3 km/h
Porsche Turbo	162.6 mph - 261.5 km/h
Bentley Flying Spur	157.4 mph – 253.1 km/h
Corvette Z06	167.0 mph – 268.5 km/h
BMW M6	162.5 mph – 261.3 km/h
Alpina B5	155.4 mph – 249.9 km/h
Shelby Daytona Cobra	159.7 mph - 256.8 km/h
Holden Maloo Ute	160.8 mph – 258.6 km/h

Technorati Tags: London+Speed+Record, British+International+Motor+Show, Mercedes+McLaren+SLR, Autocar, magazine, 2006, images, pictures, autos, auto+news,automobile,cars,automotive

New Mercedes-Benz SLR "722 Edition"

This seems to be the “Special Edition” week as yet another manufacture previews a slightly modified version of a top range model. This time, it’s Mercedes-Benz and specifically, the SLR "722 Edition" which is refined in numerous respects, having higher output (650 Hp), a tailor-made suspension configuration and a “decidedly” sporty interior. The car will go on sale on July 11.

Performance: The supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine in the "722 Edition", which is hand-built in the AMG engine shop in Affalterbach, generates 478 kW/650 hp. The particular strengths of this high-performance engine are immediate response to movements of the accelerator, highly emphatic torque build-up and an unmistakable V8 sound. The performance figures are outstanding even for a high-end sports car: the "722 Edition" accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in just 10.2 seconds. The maximum speed (337 km/h) is above the 334 km/h previously achieved by the SLR.

Chassis: Handling characteristics worthy of the racetrack are also provided by the sophisticated suspension, with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and a ten-millimetre-lower body. Larger brake discs with a diameter of 390 mm ensure excellent braking performance.

Visual modifications: The modified front spoiler with an air splitter, as well as the rear diffuser, improve both the aerodynamics and contact pressure at high speeds, and reflect the transfer of cutting-edge technology from motor racing. At the same time, the use of clear-lacquered carbon as an extremely strong yet lightweight material symbolises the practicality of these technical features. Bucket-type sports seats upholstered in leather/Alcantara provide outstanding lateral support, while the grippier racing steering wheel with a hunting-leather lining, gearshift paddles and black carbon highlights lend a thoroughbred racing touch to the interior.

Exclusive "SLR Club": Before the sales release date, customers and selected guests will have the advance opportunity to appraise the new SLR "722 Edition". This is to mark the foundation of the worldwide "SLR. Club" at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France. As an ultra-exclusive community of which SLR customers automatically become members, the "SLR Club" provides an attractive platform for outstanding events related to the SLR, as well as numerous other benefits. Another exciting feature is the club’s SLR Safety & Speed Academy, which offers special driver training courses and seminars. David Coulthard, Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig, Chris Goodwin and Christina Surer are among the highly skilled and well-known instructors.

Technorati Tags: Mercedes-Benz+SLR, 722+Edition, tuned, 2007, images, pictures, specifications, press+release, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive,

Top Gear’s German Pit-Bull Race: Mercedes McLaren SLR vs Porsche Carrera GT

The Brits over at “Top Gear” got a hold of two of the fastest German supercars ever manufactured and put the dynamic duo in a pit-bull race. Who wins? Take a look at the video below…

Technorati Tags: Top+Gear, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren+SLR, Porsche+Carrera+GT, Autos, auto+news, automobile, automotive, cars, video,