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2004 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Road Test

Mercedes Explores the Automotive Outer Limits

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - Mercedes chose an exotic location for an exotic automobile when it planned the international media launch of its Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports supercar. The Cape region proved to a superb place to evaluate a new vehicle of any kind with its fine (December) summer weather, superb hotels, warmhearted populace and quiet roads. If it wasnt for the remoteness of the Cape, thered be automaker media launches down here every week!

As most enthusiasts know by now, the SLR was built almost without regard to cost using carbon fiber for the bodywork. A cooperative effort between Mercedes-Benz and the folks at McLaren who run

Through a cooperative effort between Mercedes-Benz and the folks at McLaren, the SLR was built almost without regard to cost. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

the West McLaren Mercedes Formula One team, the car was conceived as a modern-day version of the awesome SLR sports racing cars of the mid 1950s. Mercedes calls it "a grand turismo for the 21st century" although some of us at the launch thought "race car for the road" might be a better description.

This is a stunning-looking car by any

Many of the SLR McLarens styling cues harken back to the 50s SLR era. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

standards and it would probably upstage a Ferrari Enzo or Lamborghini Murciélago if placed alongside.

Its a long time since I drove a car that drew quite as much attention from fellow road-users as the SLR. Many of the styling cues harken back to the 50s SLR era, while the nose has a hint of Formula One racer about it. The doors swing upwards at the touch of a latch on the sill, but dragging them down again proved more of a chore.

Some

I developed a kind of "SLR crouch" to get in and out - something owners will no doubt adopt. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

of us in Cape Town thought power doors would have been a good idea, but maybe there are technical barriers to that. When I first climbed into the car, I felt for sure Id crack my head sooner or later getting in and out, but I never did, as it happened. Over the two days I drove the car around the beautiful Cape Peninsular, I developed a kind of "SLR crouch" to get in and out - something owners will no doubt adopt too. The trunk is fairly roomy in this front engine, rear wheel drive two seater, but interior oddment space

The SLR features a carbon fiber monocoque or, as Mercedes puts it, "passenger cell." (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

in the cockpit is not great.

Of course, one of the big stories with this car is its carbon fiber bodywork. Carbon fiber has been used for some years in the aerospace sector - even for structurally critical military aircraft components. The material is also used for rudder units and wing flaps on several passenger aircraft. Use of the material has grown widely in the field of performance bicycles and most road or mountain bikes nowadays use at least a few carbon fiber components.

According to Mercedes-Benz, carbon fiber offers the strength of steel or aluminum,

The SLR is the worlds first series-production car to have a front crash structure manufactured entirely from carbon fiber. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

but is generally 50 per cent lighter. The SLR features a carbon fiber monocoque or, as Mercedes puts it, "passenger cell." Since carbon fiber has very good energy absorption, the vehicle structure is highly crash-proof. The engine is mounted to the front of the main body structure using huge aluminum castings bolted to the carbon fiber "firewall" area.

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