Why didn't Mercedes just use the money spent to develop this hideous speedster to improve the performance of the existing range of SLR's and let the SLR exit the stage in a dignified manner?

The money saved could have been spent to improve the handling, steering, braking and lighten the car so it could be spoken of in the same sentence of the Porsche Carrera GT or the Ferrari Enzo.

The SLR's problem is that it is an unresolved underachiever no matter what the engineers tell us.

I figured the coupe and now roadster would get a facelift before production ended to address those issues, but I guess not. Maybe this last version will address the SLR's problems?

M

THIS MERCEDES WILL BE BOTH FAST AND FANTASTIC GOOD LOOKING!

Is this still being built then?

The SLR already got its reputation. They missed the opportunity of solving these issues with the 722. Now it wouldn't be smart to correct the car, it wouldn't change the perception of people on this car.

This Speedster will no doubt be a better track car. But above all, ev en if it is not, the coolness factor, unique look will assure a spectacular ending of the SLR's production. be sure the pics will show the historical SLR and how the Speedster has the same spirit, and be sure that such a ridiculously powerful, brutal and noisy car will blow peoples 'mind away.

It will be one of the most exciting car ever, along with the terrific Caterham Levante and Ariel Atom V8 (both around 1000hp per ton...)

I really don't understand the underachiver nature of the SLR,the car is mindblowingly powerful,fast and has one of the most stunning designs ever.And it was never advertised as being a track weapon like the Enzo or CGT so don't know why "normal" folks say they disappointed with where there are some professionals out there who understands it's purpose and simply praise it's unique blend of talents.

Well...

First the technical data: V8 Kompressor directly coming from an E-Class; 5-speed auto gearbox directly coming from a W124 200D (even if noticeably faster of course). Throttle-blips not even in a dream, no real converter-bridging... And with that an impressive weight.

Second the drive: the steering was never praised, the brakes are know to be absolutely impossible to dosate. The gearbox can brake the rear wheels when downshifting in a corner, which is not necessarily what you want... And the suspensions are not the best it gives, on track too soft, on the road too hard and even a bit pumping.

Third the contenders: what do you want to do against a Carrera GT?

Fourth the price: simply too expensive for what it is.

It sure looks mind-blowing, is extremely powerful, but it's technically sub-par and suffers from a problem of focus: it's not a track-car, not a road-car. It's half-McLaren, half-Mercedes, and it can be seen and felt...

I don't think the W124 ever had a 5-speed gearbox, only 4-speeders. The 5-Speed didn't show up until the R129 300SL of 1990, but even then I don't remember it spreading to the W124. I do agree with why the SLR is thought of the way it is. I think if it had sold for like 250K it would have been a hit, but 500K is just too much.


M

Ok well Rauol while u point out some valid points,no one has complained about the engine being old or from E class and BTW that engine was premiered in the concept in 1999 which is two years before launching it with the SL55 in 01 and the tranny while being old 5-speed tech it's the best auto in the bussiness says the reviewers and for the brakes it is very very powerful but takes time getting used to,IMO this is best GT money can but followed by the gorgeous 599GTB despite what everyone else has to say about the car.There's no more easier to drive with equal power than this.

But the CF monocope is just too expensive to be sold for that price and then the McLaren badge which would be blasphemy to be that cheap

The late petrol-engined W124 could get a 5-speed auto tranny (part nb 722.5xx), it was quite rare... and exclusively sold in Europe. The US only get the 4-speed auto box (don't ask me why).

Concerning the motor I saw a lot of people and testers complaining about the fact that the motor is far from being as exclusive as the pricetag. It doesn't revv more (or maybe just a lil'bit more), and is just plain "standard AMG". For five time the usual pricetag.

The 5-speed gearbox is indeed one hell of an auto... but such a gearbox has absolutely nothing to do in an SLR. No throttle-blips, heavy and power-hungry power-converter, no direct feeling of the motor which is thus less responsive... rpm fall when you release the throttle, so limited motor-brake and responsiveness compared to a manual/SMG...

You just can't sell a car 500k€ and give it the exact same motor/gearbox as a 100k€ SL55 or E55, with only a few more hp. Especially when you face a Carrera GT and its out-of-the-earth V10. Even if the SLR is said to be a different car with a different aim, I will never give as much money for an SLR and for a Carrera GT!!

For the CF monocoque...why destroying all the weight advantage with useless equipments? As a result you don't really benefit from this structure. Only for the safety (here no other supercar can compete), because the car IS quite heavy for its pricetag...