A quick flash back would help a little to ease the sore of reading/reporting such news.
In year 2003, Mercedes Benz unveiled the Mclaren Mercedes Vision SLR concept; to commemorate the 1950s legendary Mercedes Benz 300SLR that stormed the crowds with its tremendous performance, not only does it goes fast it's an absolute beauty, being regarded by many as one of the most beautiful car of all time, spawning a road legal version dubbed the 300SL Gullwing which is revolutionary in it's time, fuel injection, a tilted engine to allow the car having a lower center of gravity, and the gullwing doors are not merely for fashion, the design allows thick tubing of the car's frame to go thru the door sills, allowing the car to have a very rigid body structure.
In year 2004, collaborating with Mclaren, Mercedes Benz's F1 Grand Prix partner, they manufactured the Mclaren Mercedes SLR, with a supercharged 5.5 Ltr V8 engine pumping out in excess of 500hp, with a carbon fiber monocoque body, and the first to use fiber ceramics brakes that's also very much ahead of it's time. Featuring a very unique profile of a uber long bonnet and very short rear overhang, utilizing aerodynamics from their expertise in F1 Racing creating coefficient drags using the car's own body shape and air vents to press the car on road whilst on high speed, and of course a rear spoiler that lifts by itself when the car's breaking in high speed to stabilize the rear end of the car from vortex air flows.
Receiving overwhelming response from fans, industry people and media; the SLR quickly found itself becoming the bedroom wall clad Lamborghini Countach of the 21st Century, featured on cellphone wallpapers, computer screensavers of many; and of course the garage of many superstars and footballers.
In year 2006, the SLR 722 Edition was launched, commemorating the race in 1955 where British legend Stirling Moss and co driver Dennis Jenkinson won the famous Italian Endurance Race Mille Miglia (1000 Miles) with the SLR designated 722 (Starting at 7:22am).
With only 150 produced, the the 722 Edition gives the original SLR an edge, an industrial look that no other Supercars today had except the Ford GT; which compared to other likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari that merely seems too fragile to do any tarmac wrecking stuffs.
In year 2007, upon requests from plenty of enthusiastic SLR owners, British motor racing specialist RML Group (Ray Mallock Ltd) created the SLR 722 GT; of which of course plenty has been done to both the interior and exterior, in a nutshell, performance was boosted to 680hp, and kerb weight down by a staggering 450 KG.
Well it is official now, Mercedes and Mclaren will not be embarking on another supercar project together as Mercedes will be pursuing this with their SL AMG Black Series and a smaller SLC Coupe whilst Mclaren are in the works for their P11 Sportscar. The dissolution of the Mclaren Mercedes partnership will not affect the racing team's efforts in F1.
Perhaps many may wonder why as the SLR seems to receive alot of publicity and many footballers and superstars buy them, first it's not cheap, it's more than two thirds more expensive than the Ferrari Enzo and despite all the different variants, they've soldnot more than 1600 units to date.
Speculated reason why fans of the SLR quickly got rid of their wallpapers, screen savers.
However a very last version is due soon, the SLR Speedster, without a roof, without a windscreen, air conditioning etc, armed with just a deflector up front, it will be the most powerful version of all SLR (except the GT which is not road legal). Only 75 Speedsters will be built.
Spy pics of the heavily camouflaged SLR Speedster.
Wheels Weekly will miss the SLR, thou not a very accomplished supercar, it definitely made its impact, and will be remembered for many years to come.
Another picture of the SLR and the original SLR, and a couple of pictures of the supercar that will not have a descendant.
The last time ever we'll see this badge grace any uber performance Mercedes Benz. Sad, nonetheless will surely make the SLR a timeless piece of art.
