Mercedes-Benz SLR goes soft

'The new SLR Roadster benefits from the many years of technical experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren,' said Chris Vallance, Regional Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and Maybach, Middle East. 'Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic materials, making the vehicle an exception among high-performance sports cars.'

With 626 hp and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, the AMG V8 compressor engine, which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, accelerates the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Maximum speed is 332 km/h, the same as the coupé.

Thanks to its fully retractable top, which opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure in the highest performance class, its occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle's suitability for everyday use.

In the wind tunnel, the Roadster has been optimised for high speeds with regard to handling, aeroacoustics and aerodynamics. It likewise employs the aerodynamic concept already known from the coupé version, featuring an airbrake integrated into the access lid and a diffusor in the rear bumper to provide increased downforce on the rear axle.

Inside, exclusive standard equipment includes semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fibre bucket seats which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger by means of differently sized seat pads, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, a high-quality BOSE premium sound system a multifunction sport steering wheel with gear-change paddles, and a navigation system with integral radio and CD player.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster, like the coupé, is produced at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England, in accordance with stringent Mercedes-Benz quality criteria and will be available in the Middle East from October 2007.