Essen 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster by Brabus
Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics.
Of all the products in Mercedes' stable that could benefit from a thorough tweaking, the McLaren SLR isn't one of them. But Brabus has built its name on taking things to the illogical extreme, and its modification of the new SLR Roadster is no different.
Equipped with a new set of cams, exhaust and a system to cool the fuel, the blown V8 now produces an additional 23 HP that's sent through the stock transmission and down to a clutch-type LSD. 0-to-60 times drop down to 3.6 seconds and the top speed has been increased to 209 mph.
A new carbon fiber front spoiler and rear diffuser, tuned by Brabus in the wind tunnel, reduces lift at speed, while the factory rolling stock has been ditched in favor of 9.5x20-inch wheels in front and 11.5x20-inch hoops in the rear. Inside, the Teutonic tuners offer well-to-do buyers nearly unlimited upholstery designs, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated paddles to swap cogs on the McMerc's automatic gearbox.
The full rundown on Brabus' tweaks can be viewed in the press release after the jump, and naturally, there's a corresponding gallery below.
PRESS RELEASE
Is it possible to make a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster even more exclusive and individual? BRABUS proves that the topless Mercedes supercar can be made even sportier and more exciting with its sophisticated customization program.
To give the two-seater even more striking looks while at the same time minimizing lift on the front axle, the BRABUS designers have developed a front spoiler that attaches to the production bumper. The spoiler is made from exposed carbon fiber and its shape was fine-tuned in the wind tunnel. It is especially lightweight and extremely tough. A corresponding BRABUS rear diffuser made from exposed carbon fiber can replace its production counterpart.
The sporty BRABUS outfit for the SLR Roadster is dominated by BRABUS Monoblock VI 20-inch wheels that fill the wheel houses perfectly. The fully polished multi-piece wheels feature six double spokes and are mounted on the sports car in size 9.5Jx20 in front and size 11.5Jx20 on the rear axle. High-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 are supplied by BRABUS technology partners Pirelli and YOKOMAMA. This low-profile tire/wheel combination is custom-tailored for the SLR coupe and roadster and benefits not only the car's appearance but also its handling.
Thus equipped the topless SLR is ready for some additional power provided by BRABUS engine tuning. The power tuning for the supercharged 5.5-liter (335.5 cu. in.) engine consists of special camshafts, a fuel cooling system and a high-performance exhaust. With BRABUS tuning, power output of the V8 compressor engine increases by 24 hp (23 hp SAE net) / 18 kW to 650 hp (641 hp SAE net) / 478 kW at 6,500 rpm.
BRABUS also offers a special clutch-type limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent. It further optimizes traction and improves acceleration performance of the super sports car. The tuned roadster sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph).
Precision handwork down to the last detail characterizes the exclusive BRABUS interior design for the two-seater. The company-own upholstery shop specializes in fulfilling just about any request from discriminating SLR owners when it comes to customizing the interior. That includes a multitude of leather types and colors as well as custom upholstery designs.
An unusual BRABUS specialty is the waffle-patterned leather carpeting in the SLR's footwells. Some 7,800 meters (25,600 feet) of the finest thread are sewn with utmost precision for it alone.
A sporty and functional BRABUS option is the ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel that is flattened on the bottom for markedly easier entering and exiting of the vehicle. The steering wheel features integrated buttons for manual shifting of the SLR's automatic transmission.
Sporty BRABUS carbon-fiber applications for dashboard, center console and door trim transfer the racing look of the BRABUS body components into the interior. The exposed carbon-fiber trim can be color-coordinated with the leather color of the interior.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
whatbrown 3:03PM (11/30/2007)
Just goes to show you that even a $500,000 car can benefit from some tasteful aftermarket upgrades. I think the SLR has some of the ugliest stock rims I've ever seen.
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chiohmann 4:22PM (11/30/2007)
True True, the rims throws off the look of the SLR.
Jo. A. Borras 3:12PM (11/30/2007)
Seems kind of slow ... maybe the owner should take it up to RENNtech. ; )
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porschedevotee 3:09PM (11/30/2007)
Tasteful? Did you get a load of the red leather gauges? (I'm assuming it's leather - it matches the seats and that silly waffle business on the floor pretty well)
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C.D. Ward 3:20PM (11/30/2007)
Cams, exhaust and a fuel cooler only add 23HP?!?! That engine doesn't seem in that high a state of tune from the factory. Should at least offer a smaller pulley for the S/C.
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k.w.a 3:27PM (11/30/2007)
the SLR is automatic???!
...Well i guess if Paris Hilton drives one of these things...
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Leaf 4:16PM (11/30/2007)
Mercedes is all about automatic transmissions. I've been told they make one of the worst manuals in the industry, though I've never driven one.
Guenther 3:31PM (11/30/2007)
Normally I don't react this way, but...
...Was that really necessary?
Upon looking further, its really not much. With those meager improvements, a better choice as an Autobahn missle might really be a Brabus'd S or CLS.
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Alex 3:51PM (11/30/2007)
My definition of a flat-bottom steering wheel must be differnt from Brabus's. In those pictures it looks like its a full circle.
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Leaf 4:12PM (11/30/2007)
This car never struck me as particularly lust-worthy. Still doesn't.
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mk 4:20PM (11/30/2007)
This isn't the most gorgeous car ever.
But it is an improvement over the coupe. and that is hard for me to say, because I generally prefer coupes over most everything else, style-wise.
The awkwardness of the SLR's roof is removed, and the car looks lower and wider for it. Both improvements on such a long car.
The Brabus treatment is thankfully subdued. I like the front air-dam. I am not a fan of 6-spoke wheel designs in general, but they are a nice size.
And how I love those doors. I will own a car with doors that open that way. More elegant than jack-knife lambo doors, and more dramatic than normal wide-opening doors. (the doors look better on the F1, though... The F1 wins in just about every department, despite it's age.)
Black seems to suit that car more than silver, anyway. Silver cars were very cool and technical, but now is getting to be just a slightly fancier gray due to it's commonality. Black is harder to maintain, and tends to swallow details, but is very dramatic.
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garlinski 4:39PM (11/30/2007)
Holy Red Interior Batman!
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eddie 5:53PM (11/30/2007)
I think the regular SLR is underwhelming for the money. However, the Brabus tuned examples are a lot more appealing.
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Franz 6:55PM (11/30/2007)
It's funny that all high performance Mercs have auto trannys. You'd think they'd put a manual in them. Every single AMG car, and this SLR... all slush boxes. In stark contrast, BMW M cars are only available with manual/SMG transmissions. Oh, well...
Nice car this, but I prefer the 722.
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LJKelley 9:21PM (11/30/2007)
Alot of people like Automatics, and yes certain Mercedes such as the C300 Sport come in Manual as default. However, the vast majority of Mercedes sold are Automatic because the consumers want automatic.
And they can say they have the fast Automatic in the world... this is my dream car... I'll doubt I'll even own it. Though I love my C240 :)
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Thanh T. 7:34AM (12/02/2007)
The Brabus Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Roadster looks spectacular...the red interior is a bit over-powering. I guess the overall color options depends on the customer's color preferences.
I hear the European vehicle delivering packages are awesome...flight-hotel-resturants, spend the day at the factory and race track etc.
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