Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster (w/VIDEO)
by Noah Joseph on Jul 3rd 2008 at 10:26AM 
Click above for more pics of the Mclaren SLR Speedster.
Following yesterday's revelation that Mercedes and McLaren were preparing to launch a special lightweight version of their SLR supercar, a batch of spy shots plus a spy video have surfaced, giving us a sneak peek at the limited-edition roadster prior to its anticipated unveiling by McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton towards the end of the month.
The images – which appear to have been released by the manufacturer itself – confirm our previous report that the roofless supercar will have little in the way of protection from the elements, with an F1-sized wind deflector screen as the only thing between the driver and the wind rushing by at breakneck speeds. Inspired by the original '50's-era 300 SLR, the new speedster will be faster than any previous SLR and be built in a small serial of 75 examples.
Click on the thumbnail images below to view more, and follow the jump for the spy video.
Gallery: Spied: McLaren SLR Speedster
[Source: PistonHeads, eMercedesBenz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
yacoub 10:30AM (7/03/2008)
wow that thing is gonna be awesome!
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JZeke 10:33AM (7/03/2008)
This is is a seriously pointless car... who asked for the super-sized Caterham?
Still, I kinda want to have a go in it, could be fun once.
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Mehdi Cheddadi 10:49AM (7/03/2008)
Discussing about the pointlessness of a car in Autoblog is pointless.
Azael 10:37AM (7/03/2008)
Maybe someone can answer me this question: why do prototypes like this car always black and white camo? Is there a reason for this?
Thank you.
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Jo. A. Borras 11:02AM (7/03/2008)
Makes it more difficult to see the shapes underneath by modifying the brightness and contrast in photoshop.
steve 11:08AM (7/03/2008)
or its kinda like battleships of WWII....you cant make out any distinct shapes and contour lines
Torrent 11:25AM (7/03/2008)
Yep. It almost like hides the lines so you can't see them. The contrasting colors and shapes trick your eyes, so you can't see any design elements and stuff. They do it so you can say: "I knew is was going to be nice, but not THAT nice!" You know, to keep the Initial reactions pure to the moment.
Yar 1:40PM (7/03/2008)
To escape enemy torpedoes.
David M 9:25PM (7/03/2008)
it looks even more like the ambiguously gay duo car than the slr does.
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styleguy 11:04AM (7/03/2008)
NO NO NO!
A provocative Mercedes with look-at-me styling! And they'll make it too!
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John Johnson 11:05AM (7/03/2008)
Just hope Lewis doesn't let his dad drive it.
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Brandon 11:07AM (7/03/2008)
Best part is the cameraman fumbling in the trees and bushes...lol.
And the car look so unnecessarily top secret. Sounds cool though.
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Lambo Lp560-4 11:17AM (7/03/2008)
Jez, That is ugly. Looks like a hot wheels car. What a horrible design. I talked to guy once about 2 months ago that worked for Mersades in the mcLaren, Maybach section but he didn't revel anything about the new car just that the slr will be dead by 2010. Horrible replacment.
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jason 11:44AM (7/03/2008)
Also builds hype by making sure anybody with a camera gets a picture by using less than subtle colors.
Think the production version will have a wind shield?
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Christian 11:29AM (7/03/2008)
I just love the McLaren SLR.
I once had the chance to drive behind one on a german Autobahn for about 50km (on a motorcycle and with some traffic - luckily). Its sound is the most amazing thing I've ever heard. Only a british Spitfire is similar to that, and only while it fires bullets. ;-)
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Chris 12:34PM (7/03/2008)
What a gorgeous mosaic.
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Dustin 12:34PM (7/03/2008)
Without a windshield and top, this car sure looks long. The ultimate compensation car.
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pmiddle5 12:55PM (7/03/2008)
So how about they enter this in ALMS in LMP2?
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JW 1:07PM (7/03/2008)
Is that new spy video of the Mach 5? Where are Trixie, Spritle and Chim Chim?
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Johnny 1:14PM (7/03/2008)
Nice!!!
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