Racing-spec Mercedes-Benz 722 SLR GTR found in Germany
This one kind of crept up on us, but it appears Mercedes-Benz has released a new race-spec version of the SLR supercar dubbed the GTR. It's been revealed that the limited edition 722 SLR released last year was in fact a homologation special designed for a potential FIA GT race car, and the new GTR is a production version of the future racer.
The GTR is loosely based on the 722, but tips the scales at just 2860lb (1300kg), which means it's roughly 660lb (300kg) lighter. The mechanical package remains largely unchanged but, with the lighter body, the 650hp supercharged V8 should see it reach 62mph from rest in just three seconds flat. Top speed remains at 210 mph.
To shed all that weight, engineers stripped the cabin and replaced most of the parts such as the door panels and dash with carbon-fiber. They also installed a set of 19-inch OZ wheels, removed the front grille and installed a huge rear wing and diffuser.
Only 21 new GTRs will enter production and the first one has already been spotted at a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Germany by HDennis who posted these pics of the car on Supercars.net
Thanks for the tip, Richard!
[Source: Supercars.net]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 8:07PM (10/02/2007)
Found?
It hardly looks like it was being hidden.
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chris 8:56AM (10/03/2007)
I want one NOW, whats the list price?
Paul 8:31PM (10/02/2007)
Very nice, how much?
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Nick 9:39PM (10/02/2007)
A friend of mine caught it going around the Nurburgring on the 'Ring webcam. Didn't really know what it was until this post. Pretty cool.
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Carlos 9:45PM (10/02/2007)
That's how much the stock SLR should weigh
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Bert 11:18PM (10/02/2007)
They can suck over 600 pounds out of their "super car"!?!? HHHuuunnnhhh????? You would think they would have done better in the first place.
600 friken pounds!
They should have found a way to strip out 722 pounds to find from relevant relevance. Otherwise it's just a number on some car that some English guy drove to an average finish in some race or another.
This car has been an travesty since day one. A big shinny grey car with the power of a 200 ton dump truck.
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chad.dawkins 6:17PM (10/03/2007)
The SLR is a GT car not a straight supercar. So that's why it has thick carpets and an auto.
Bill 12:06AM (10/03/2007)
I'de take it over a carrera gt... at least you could drive this thing on a daily basis... from what ive read, it apparently has a nice ride and enough ground clearance to not be a PITA to drive...
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Braden 1:22AM (10/03/2007)
from what ive read, it apparently has a nice ride and enough ground clearance to not be a PITA to drive...
[end quote]
You read wrong. One of the presidents of my company had an SLR McLaren for about a month on lease. (The guy is insane, trades hot cars on lease more than most men change their jeans.) My boss (IT Director) got to drive it and I rode along. It is SUPER low. the president actually curbed the nose once during the month he had it; after getting the nose fixed it went back pretty quickly for some Brabus-tuned SL600 (or something) - the Brabus car had 725hp and was actually faster than the McLaren and fit more people and golf clubs too. :p
The McLaren definitely turns heads though. People don't even know what it is, but they see the doors and the penis-like shape of the thing and start gawking. Turns more heads than a Porsche Turbo... but I'd personally rather have the AWD Turbo any day.
Oh, the McLaren is typically only available in autotragic too. It's a very good automatic, it held whatever gear you put it in forever. (My boss was driving it around in 3rd or 4th on the highway and it never tried to go to 5th/OD.) He never tried downshifting it though and I doubt it could match a dual-clutch box in smoothness.
I'm looking at the "stick" in the pictures above and wondering if they put a manual on the race version? Curious as to who supplied something that would take the power, since most Benz stuff isn't even available with a manual these days...
g8or8de 12:26AM (10/03/2007)
That's what the original should have been.
Looks pretty awesome.
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Braden 1:26AM (10/03/2007)
Oh, and as an edit/revision on my previous comment...
aside from being low, the suspension is pretty damn stiff. The seats are REALLY hard (they're just carbon fiber tubs with a slight amount of padding on them) and they are built for narrow european asses. My american beer gut was having problems in the passenger seat. My knees were also up against the dash and I couldn't get them below due to the shape of the thing. the engine is so far back it intrudes on leg space. (It's basically a "front-mid" engined car.) FWIW, I'm 6'4" and 280lbs.
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Toy Yoda 2:25AM (10/03/2007)
The only thing missing from that SLR McLaren is the long, ribbed, condom shaped clear bra. :)
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Bert 7:37AM (10/03/2007)
Every time I see that car all I can think about is.....
http://www.mouseshoppe.com/custom/productzoom/MegaGonzo500.gif
ik 4:47PM (10/03/2007)
the reason why the original car was so heavy was because they wanted to make the car reasonably practical. The interior was pretty good, and had mosts of the gadgets that a normal luxury car would have.
Of course, the racing version doesn't need any of this, so it's easy to see how they reduced the weight.
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Tjodleiv 9:14AM (10/03/2007)
FIA = FIA(T) Don't support them.
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G. Onads 12:21PM (10/05/2007)
Nothing say Race car like a carpeted dash.
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