The Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster has won the cabriolet and roadster category of the prestigious "Auto 1 von Europa" ["Europe's No. 1 Car"] awards organised by leading car magazine AUTO BILD. Readers of the 26 European editions of AUTO BILD as well as an international jury of experts selected the super sports car from Stuttgart for its exceptional qualities. The award honouring the SLR Roadster as the most sought-after open-top car was presented at the Geneva International Motor Show yesterday.

Some 40 million readers of the 26 European editions published by the AUTO BILD family were invited to vote for the best new cars of 2007 in six categories. The three top vehicles in each category in this Europe-wide poll then had to undergo two days of professional testing in Rome. It was on the basis of this thorough programme of comparative testing that the members of the expert jury – made up of experienced engineers, top motoring journalists and leading international racing drivers – decided on the category winners.

In selecting the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster as the winner of the cabriolet and roadster category, they chose a super sports car which occupies a unique position in terms of both performance and technology. Like today's Formula 1 cars, the Roadster from Stuttgart is built from carbon fibre and is therefore characterised by a very high standard of safety and exceptional torsional stiffness. Combined with a motorsport chassis, these qualities give the Roadster outstanding handling characteristics. The top speed of this high-performance sports car, which is powered by a supercharged AMG V8 engine developing 460 kW/626 hp, is 332 km/h. Although the Roadster offers the ultimate in high-performance, open-top driving enjoyment thanks to its soft top which can be lowered completely, the occupants do not have to make any concessions with regard to comfort or everyday practicality.