| The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is inspired by the | | | | when driving in a wet situation. Spoilers are also |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR design. Co-developed by | | | | mounted on the rear and pops up when breaking at |
| DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars, this sports car | | | | high speeds. The SLR has a five-speed automatic |
| super car hybrid can go from 0 to 62 in 3.6 seconds | | | | transmission that comes with three separate modes: |
| with a bas price tag of $455,500.00 (this includes the $ | | | | Sport, Comfort and Manual. Sport is mainly for |
| 3000.00 gas-guzzler tax and $ 2500.00 freight). It is | | | | everyday use while Comfort is for bumpy roads and |
| often assumed that "SLR" stands for Sportlich, Leicht, | | | | lastly, Manual that allows the driver to shift gears with |
| Rennsport (translated as Sport; Light; Racing), but it | | | | the touchpad or the levers on the steering wheel. The |
| really means Super-leicht, Rennsport (Super-light, | | | | transmission used in the SLR is the same with other |
| Racing). A new version was presented in 2006 called | | | | performance models such as the SL65. However, the |
| "Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 edition". The "722" | | | | SLK-55 engine cannot handle the torque and power |
| commemorates the 1955 Mille Miglia victory of Stirling | | | | output of the SLR therefore a five-speed transmission |
| Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkinson with their | | | | is used.The SLR has a top speed of 208 mph making |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (722 refers to 7:22 am | | | | it the fastest automatic car in the world until 2005, |
| which happens to be their start time)AMG technicians | | | | when the Bugatti Veyron came into the picture. The |
| optimized the capacities of the original SL-55 engine by | | | | SLR makes use of carbon fiber for its body, which |
| enlarging the fuel pump and cylinders and placed a | | | | supposed to make it lighter but the car still weighs at |
| larger cooling system for the engine. This modification | | | | 3898 pounds after adding all the luxury items included. |
| produced a 5.5 liter dry sumped V8 and an unusual 3 | | | | In 2004, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport |
| valves per cylinder with SOHC. This is contrary to the | | | | tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern |
| prevalent design of super cars that uses DOHC and 4 | | | | Italy. And reported that the car's quarter-mile time is 11.5 |
| valves per cylinder. The engine is also uniquely | | | | seconds. Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson, notably |
| mounted in the front-mid section of the vehicle, which is | | | | praised the SLR for how easy it is to drive even at |
| 1 meter behind the front bumper and 50 cm from the | | | | top speed. On the same episode of Top Gear, |
| front axle. Because of the great engine power of this | | | | Jeremy was able to out run a 25000 bhp cruise liner in |
| car, fade resistant, carbon-ceramic based brake plates | | | | a race with co-hosts Richard Hammond and James |
| are used with calipers that would automatically skim | | | | May from London to Oslo (1320 miles). |
| the surface of the brake plates to keep them dry | | | | |