| The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is inspired by | | | | driving in a wet situation. Spoilers are also |
| the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR design. Co-developed | | | | mounted on the rear and pops up when breaking |
| by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars, this sports | | | | at high speeds. The SLR has a five-speed |
| car/super car hybrid can go from 0 to 62 in 3.6 | | | | automatic transmission that comes with three |
| seconds with a bas price tag of $455,500.00 (this | | | | separate modes: Sport, Comfort and Manual. |
| includes the $ 3000.00 gas-guzzler tax and $ | | | | Sport is mainly for everyday use while Comfort is |
| 2500.00 freight). It is often assumed that "SLR" | | | | for bumpy roads and lastly, Manual that allows the |
| stands for Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport (translated | | | | driver to shift gears with the touchpad or the |
| as Sport; Light; Racing), but it really means | | | | levers on the steering wheel. The transmission |
| Super-leicht, Rennsport (Super-light, Racing). A | | | | used in the SLR is the same with other |
| new version was presented in 2006 called | | | | performance models such as the SL65. However, |
| "Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 edition". The | | | | the SLK-55 engine cannot handle the torque and |
| "722" commemorates the 1955 Mille Miglia victory | | | | power output of the SLR therefore a five-speed |
| of Stirling Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkinson | | | | transmission is used. |
| with their Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (722 refers to | | | | The SLR has a top speed of 208 mph making it |
| 7:22 am which happens to be their start time) | | | | the fastest automatic car in the world until 2005, |
| AMG technicians optimized the capacities of the | | | | when the Bugatti Veyron came into the picture. |
| original SL-55 engine by enlarging the fuel pump | | | | The SLR makes use of carbon fiber for its body, |
| and cylinders and placed a larger cooling system | | | | which supposed to make it lighter but the car still |
| for the engine. This modification produced a 5.5 | | | | weighs at 3898 pounds after adding all the luxury |
| liter dry sumped V8 and an unusual 3 valves per | | | | items included. In 2004, the German magazine |
| cylinder with SOHC. This is contrary to the | | | | Auto Motor und Sport tested the SLR at the |
| prevalent design of super cars that uses DOHC | | | | Nardo test track in southern Italy. And reported |
| and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine is also | | | | that the car's quarter-mile time is 11.5 seconds. |
| uniquely mounted in the front-mid section of the | | | | Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson, notably praised |
| vehicle, which is 1 meter behind the front bumper | | | | the SLR for how easy it is to drive even at top |
| and 50 cm from the front axle. Because of the | | | | speed. On the same episode of Top Gear, |
| great engine power of this car, fade resistant, | | | | Jeremy was able to out run a 25000 bhp cruise |
| carbon-ceramic based brake plates are used with | | | | liner in a race with co-hosts Richard Hammond |
| calipers that would automatically skim the surface | | | | and James May from London to Oslo (1320 miles). |
| of the brake plates to keep them dry when | | | | |