Don Your Goggles: The Mercedes SLR Goes Out With A Bang
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is – and soon was – an Anglo-German sports car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive. The standard version of the little critter would set you back just half a mil. If you want one, then better hurry: Production of the SLR will cease in June 2009.
Or, if you want an extra special SLR, and have a little more discretionary cash sitting around, wait until June 2009, because the SLR will go out with a bang. According to the London Telegraph, Mercedes and McLaren will celebrate the death of a legend with “an exclusive SLR inspired by British motor racing legend, Stirling Moss. Only 75 will be made, each costing €750,000 .” At today’s rate, that’s just a little bit over $1m. So for only twice the price you will get … not even a front window.
For your money, you will get a roofless and windowless version of the Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster, featuring a supercharged, 5,439cc V8 engine developing 650bhp. It accelerates from 0-62mph in less than 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 217mph. TTAC recommends goggles and no bug-eating grins. The 75 made will be called “SLR Stirling Moss.” The car had been in the rumor mill for quite a while, now it’s official. Along with the official and final announcement, that after the ode to Stirling Moss, the SLR will be no more.
Like the production SLR, the Stirling Moss special edition will have a body made from carbon-fiber. Minuscule wind deflectors protect the two occupants from the airflow, while air scoops integrated into the bodywork behind the seats do double duty as roll-over bars. The SLR Stirling Moss also has a larger rear diffuser than that fitted to the SLR Coupe and Roadster. And OMG: “There’s also an airbrake to aid deceleration from high speeds, which deploys during heavy braking from speeds above 75mph.” Parachutes were not mentioned.
According to the Telegraph, “The minimalist interior features carbon-fiber, aluminum-alloy and fine leather, with an aluminum-alloy plate engraved with Moss’s signature situated by the gearlever.”
Production of the SLR Stirling Moss will begin in June 2009, when the standard SLR ceases production. The run of 75 Stirling Moss SLRs is expected to be completed by next December. Trivia dept: SLR stands for “Sport, Leicht, Rennsport” (sport, light, racing). More trivia: If you can’t afford one, the car can be looked at at the Detroit Motor Show, a factoid that Car & Driver found, well, kindof odd: “We’re not sure there really is a perfect venue to unveil a radical, speedster-style supercar, but the Motor City probably isn’t it..”
PS: Supposedly, the 75 Stirling Moss SLRs will only be sold to bona-fide existing SLR owners in Europe. If you want one, ask your buddies at the next Davos meeting to help you out.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Actually, you guys are all wrong: No goggle, no mouthpiece. Get a good motorcycle helmet. At least with a 4 wheels & a headrest you don't have to fight the wind with your neck.
I have it under good authourity that the goggles... They do nothing.