Description
This is lot number 135 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
One of only 520 built, with just 106 produced for the 2008 model year
Mercedes-Benz assembled at the McLaren Formula 1 Technology Centre
Only 4, 200 kilometres and one previous private owner from new
Desirable 'Crystal Galaxit' black over beige
German registration document
The SLR McLaren may be considered a tribute to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, which dominated the 1955 World Sportscar Championship with drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss behind the wheel. Their new supercar allows Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren to showcase their collective experience in the development, construction and production of high-performance sports cars and, just like its legendary 300 SLR predecessor of 1955, incorporates technological developments which are ahead of their time. The heart of any car is its engine, and that of the SLR (Sport Leicht Rennsport) McLaren is truly outstanding. Produced at Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance division, where each unit is the responsibility of one engineer who carries out the entire assembly process, it is a 5. 5-litre, 24-valve, supercharged V8 producing 617bhp, making it one of the most powerful engines to be found in a series-produced road-going sports car. Impressive though this peak horsepower figure is, it is the torque produced by this state-of-the-art 'blown' motor that is its most remarkable feature. The torque curve is almost flat: there is already 440lb/ ft by 1, 500 rpm and well over 500lb/ ft between 3, 000 and 5, 000 revs. As Car & Driver observed: "This lends mind-boggling elasticity to the SLR, with passing performance that has to be felt to be appreciated."
Needless to say, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren delivers performance figures which are among the best in its class, taking just 3. 8 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/ h, it passes the 200km/ h mark after 10. 6 seconds and from a standing start takes just 28. 8 seconds to reach 300km/ h. The two-seater has a top speed of 334km/ h.
A front-engined layout was chosen for the SLR in the interests of optimum weight distribution, handling dynamics and braking stability, while the motor's dry-sump lubrication system - more commonly found in competition cars - enabled it to be mounted lower in the chassis. The five-speed automatic transmission, already used in several high-performance Mercedes-Benz models, has been specially optimised for very high torque and also offers the driver the option of choosing between different shift characteristics using the Speedshift system.
Extending the long-term technological collaboration that Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have enjoyed in Formula 1, the SLR's carbon fibre composite monocoque body/ chassis structure is produced in the latter's all-new facility in Woking, England. Carbon fibre has been used for decades in the aeronautical industry and in the construction of Formula 1 cars, but is comparatively rare in series-produced road cars because of the expense involved in manufacturing composite structures by hand.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was launched in South Africa and introduced for the 2005 model year priced at $455, 000 (approximately 373, 000). A roadster variant was unveiled in September 2007. Boasting an ingenious electrically powered folding roof, the open version used the same engine and running gear as the coupé and turned in similar performance figures. A total of 2, 157 examples would be built of which only 520 Roadsters before production ceased in 2009.
First registered on 4th August 2008, this stunning SLR McLaren Roadster is finished in 'Crystal Galaxit' black metallic with a beige leather interior and was delivered new to a private Dutch collector who has hardly ever driven it. It features carbon-look seats, gold-coloured brake calipers, and R37 LM Turbine wheels, among other options detailed in the file. Freshly serviced (including a new fuel pump), the car comes with a German registration document, all its original Dutch instruction manuals in their leather pouch, and the original purchase invoice and Certificate of Conformity. With only 4, 200 kilometres covered from new, this beautiful SLR is presented in exceptionally excellent condition.
Please note this lot will be subject to additional VAT on the hammer price.
