MERSEDES-BENZ SLR is a two-seater sports car. Mercedes 300 SLR (W196) appeared in 1954 - the debut in Formula 1 was a triumph: factory driver Juan-Manuel Fangio won the crown of the world champion. Mercedes 300 SLR, despite the similarity of the names, had no relation to the model 300 SL, the famous “gull wing”. It was, in fact, a Formula One car adapted for driving on ordinary roads: a spatial tube frame, a fully independent suspension, brake mechanisms in the body to reduce unsprung masses and a weight of only 800 kilograms.
The engine - 8-cylinder, with a working volume of 3 liters - developed 310 liters. from. thanks to twin-shaft block heads and fuel injection. The maximum speed of the car came close to a fantastic 300 km / h for that time. By the way, the Mercedes 300 SLR came out on two races with a unique “air” brake - probably the first active aerodynamic device in motor racing history! Behind the rider there was a shield with an area of 0.7 m3, which, when braked, was opened with the help of a hydraulic actuator to meet the air flow. At a speed of 250 km / h, it created a braking effect, reaching 42% of the effort of wheel brakes!
In addition, the "air" brake increased the load on the rear axle, which further increased the intensity of braking. The new “victory weapon” is the Mercedes W196 S for the “road” races of the 1955 season. The goal is Mille Miglia, Targa Florio ... And, of course, Le Mans. The volume of fuel tanks was reduced to 200 liters, but in the cockpit there was a place for a second, “navigator” seat. It was in the double version of the Mercedes 300 SLR number 722 started in the 1955 Mille Miglia race.
Behind the wheel was a young talented Englishman Stirling Moss, and on the right was a British autojournalist Denis Jenkinson, whose “tips”, combined with the power and exceptional reliability of Mercedes, allowed Moss to develop an incredible average race speed for those times (157 km / h!) and came to the finish line first, well ahead of the second Mercedes Juan-Manuel Fangio The next race was Le Mans. The team put out three "three hundred" SLR - two piloted by Fangio / Moss and Kling / Simon, and on the third, team-mates invited 50-year-old French pilot Pierre Levegg as his partner John Fitch. Almost a mystical set of circumstances attracted this driver to the Mercedes team.
The tragedy happened on the direct "start-finish". When, on the 34th lap, Mercedes flew at full speed on a slow Austin Healey. Healey sloping tail served as a springboard: Mercedes flew into the air, hit the stands and exploded. 79 spectators died, more than 100 people were injured.
The Mercedes team immediately recalled two other cars from the track (they were in the lead). It’s hard to believe, but the race continued: one of the unwitting perpetrators of the tragedy was Mike Hawthorn and his partner Ivor Bub at Austin Healey. Thus, the Mercedes W196 shone on the race tracks just two years - in 1954 and 1955. In July 1999, the Mercedes Vision SLR Roadster Concept was introduced in Detroit. The design of the front of the car, lighting, alloy wheels is made in the style of Formula 1 cars. The car body is made of aluminum.
An unconventional door opening scheme of the so-called “guillotine” type was used: the doors move vertically up along the guides. Under the hood, the Mercedes SLR has a 5.5-liter V-shaped eight-cylinder power unit with a capacity of 557 hp, which accelerates the car to "hundreds" in 4.2 seconds, and the maximum speed - 320 km / h. Now Mercedes-McLaren SLR has reached the “serial” production. After a four-year pause since the conceptual supercar Mercedes-McLaren SLR was shown, Mercedes unveiled the latest version of the sports coupe. The premiere of the car took place in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new Mercedes SLR continues the line of supercars, which was launched in 1955 and is a fusion of the latest advances in automotive technology. The 2003 model year SLR differs externally from its predecessor, differs internally. Unique, in its characteristics, materials, the most advanced technology for building a car, many years of research and testing. Aluminum is widely used to reduce weight in the design of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Wing doors open - all this is not only a Mercedes, it is also McLaren! The technical stuffing of a new supercar is a forced 5.3-liter V8 turbo engine, familiar from the Mercedes SL 55 AMG model, developed with the participation of AMG specialists, whose power is 626 horsepower, and the maximum torque of 780Nm is reached at 3250 rpm. He remains at this level until the promotion of up to 5000 revolutions. The motor received a dry sump lubrication system, a more efficient turbocharger and other interesting solutions developed by the McLaren team’s formula specialists. From zero to one hundred kilometers per hour, the car accelerates in 3.9 seconds, and up to 200 km / h in 10.6 seconds.
The maximum speed of the car is 334 km / h. This is calculated, in fact it can be more. In addition, the three-valve technology and four metal catalysts of the most powerful power unit monitor compliance with the requirements of stringent environmental standards for Euro-4, which come into force in 2005. The motor is completed with a five-speed “automatic machine”, which, in addition to the basic operating mode, has three more - “Sport”, “Supersport” and “Race”. These modes differ in the speed of gear shifting and operation algorithm.
In addition, Mercedes SLR also boasts an electro-hydraulic brake system (SBS), which uses ceramic brake discs, as well as a sophisticated stability control system. The active wing on the trunk changes the angle of attack depending on the speed. Plus, the novelty is equipped with a set of airbags, which even includes a cushion to protect the passenger’s feet when struck, and other security systems. By the way, when designing a car, Mercedes specialists used technologies and materials to protect the cab during an accident, used on Formula 1 cars. The basic version of the Mercedes SLR will be equipped with 18-inch wheels with tires of dimension 245/40 at the front and 295/35 at the rear.
19-inch wheels can be ordered as an option. As expected, no more than 500 such cars will be produced per year. Moreover, each Mercedes-McLaren SLR will cost 360 thousand euros. The basic version of the Mercedes SLR will be equipped with 18-inch wheels with tires of dimension 245/40 at the front and 295/35 at the rear. 19-inch wheels can be ordered as an option.
As expected, no more than 500 such cars will be produced per year. Moreover, each Mercedes-McLaren SLR will cost 360 thousand euros. The basic version of the Mercedes SLR will be equipped with 18-inch wheels with tires of dimension 245/40 at the front and 295/35 at the rear.
19-inch wheels can be ordered as an option. As expected, no more than 500 such cars will be produced per year.
Other images auto Mercedes SLR
