Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
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| Manufacturer | McLaren Automotive |
|---|---|
| Production | 2003–2010 |
| Assembly | Woking, Surrey, England, UK |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine(s) | 5.4 L supercharged V8 (M115 ML55) |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (110 in) |
| Length | 4,656 mm (183.3 in) |
| Width | 1,908.5 mm (75.14 in) |
| Height | 1,261 mm (49.6 in) 2006–08: 1,252 mm (49.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,768 kg (3,900 lb) |
Due to the presence of the automatic gear box, front mid-engined arrangement, and its driving characteristics, some commentators classify the SLR McLaren as a GT whose rivals would be vehicles like the Aston Martin DBS V12 and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
SLR stands for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz stated that they would build 3,500 SLRs over a span of seven years, with an annual production of 500 cars.[1] The car's base price, GB£295,337 (approx. US$450,000, €351,269, CHF 500,000 or C$ 499,999c. 2009),[2] made it the ninth most expensive street legal car in the year 2008.[3]
History
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR of 1955, based on the W196 F1 car, yet named after the road-going 300SL Gullwing. On 4 April 2008, Mercedes announced they would cease production of the SLR. The last of the coupes rolled off the production line at the end of 2007 and the roadster version was discontinued in early 2009.Technical highlights
Brakes
The SLR features Sensotronic, a type of brake-by-wire system.[4] The brake discs are carbon-ceramic and provide better stopping power and fade resistance than steel discs when operating under ideal working temperature. Mercedes-Benz claims these discs are fade resistant to 1,200 °C (2,200 °F). The front discs are internally vented and 370 mm (15 in) in diameter. 8 piston calipers are used. Rear discs are 360 mm (14 in) in diameter with 4 piston calipers. During wet conditions the calipers automatically skim the surface of the discs to keep them dry.
[edit] Aerodynamics
The SLR features active aerodynamics; there is a spoiler mounted on the rear integral air brake flap. The spoiler increases downforce depending on its angle of elevation (angle of attack). At speeds above 95 km/h (59 mph) the spoiler/brake automatically raises to 10 degrees (15 in 722 edition), when demanded via the driver's switch, the elevation can be increased to 30 degrees (35 in 722 version) for increased rear downforce, at the cost of increased steady state drag, also when the driver applies the brakes the spoiler raises.However if the driver does not apply the brakes the spoiler will not raise.Engine
Unlike most of its contemporaries, its engine is front-mid mounted. McLaren took the original concept car designed by Mercedes and moved the engine 1 metre (39.4 in) behind the front bumper, and around 50 centimetres (19.7 in) behind the front axle. They also optimized the design of the center firewall.
Transmission
The SLR uses AMG SPEEDSHIFT R 5-speed automatic transmission with 3 manual modes. For durability Mercedes selected a 5-speed transmission rather than their 7-speed gearbox which was more complex and used more parts.] Performance
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Car and Driver achieved a 0-60 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.4 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds at 130 mph (209 km/h) C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were lower. Motor Trend tested the SLR and achieved a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds in April 2006. Car and Driver achieved top gear acceleration 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph times of 1.7 and 2.4 seconds, which are the fastest ever recorded by the magazine in a production car. The SLR also pulled 1.13 g on the skidpad.January 2005
Road and Track tested the car in their July 2005 Road Test and reached 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 3.4 seconds. The 0 - 100 mph (160 km/h) sprint was achieved in 6.6 seconds and a quarter mile run was completed in 11.1 seconds at 132 mph (212 km/h).
In June 2004 the SLR was tested at Nardo and performed the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) exercise in 3.2 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.6 seconds and 0-300 km/h (190 mph) in 24.8 seconds.[citation needed] Their 400 m (0.25 mi) time of 11.0 seconds at 133 mph (214 km/h) and 1 km (0.62 mi) time of 19.2 seconds at 282 km/h (175 mph) respectively. They also broke its claimed top speed of 334 km/h by reaching 339 km/h (211 mph).
In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1). 
He was offered the chance to play for the Spain national football team, but declined, prefering to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in a U-20 friendly match against Paraguay. 
Messi picked up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel has already drawn comparisons with Diego Maradona, arguably the best football player of all time. 
