Click above for a hi-res gallery of the SLR Speedster.
The shutterbugs at KGP have captured the forthcoming McLaren SLR Speedster as it hits the Nordschleife for some testing. The car's expected to be lighter but just as powerful as the standard SLR and SLR Roadster, meaning it could conceivably be able to blow their respective doors off. A top end of 220 mph should be available to those who like to stare down the Reaper for kicks, and KGP reports that the car could be unveiled by the end of the month with one Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel.
[Source: KGP Photography]
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z caught undisguised
GM on Corvette ZR1 cancellation rumor: "Not true."
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Paris 2008: Le Day 1 Wrapup
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Neo541 @ Jul 15th 2008 1:40PM
The only thing keeping from getting vertigo looking at that pic is the guy's helmet!
CEMan @ Jul 15th 2008 1:42PM
I gotta say, that camo does a pretty good job of hiding details. That being said, I can still see enough to say with out reservation, YUK!
Tai @ Jul 15th 2008 1:44PM
I didn't know mclaren made go-karts.
Michael D. @ Jul 15th 2008 1:45PM
This should be an outrageous, interesting and unique swan-song for the SLR, until it's successors (SL Black Series, SLC & what McLaren is working on independently) do arrive.
TJ @ Jul 15th 2008 1:46PM
Comparo: Veritas vs SLR
tankd0g @ Jul 15th 2008 1:46PM
They should sell it looking just like that.
Chase @ Jul 15th 2008 1:46PM
Reminds me of LMP car. Hope it drives like one. :D
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 15th 2008 1:47PM
I'm gonna write a program to detect and remove those triangles. Everyone uses them now. I'll make a mint.
Sorin @ Jul 15th 2008 1:49PM
Getting out of air conditioning system, power windows and eliminating the using composite materials for the bodycar make SLR to lose weight with 200 kg . The result is a car that speed up from 0-100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds and maximum speed of 350 km/h. And one last thing….SLR limited edition could cost 450,000€. Veeeeeeeeeeeery nice.
cheato @ Jul 15th 2008 2:02PM
The guy in the shots (without the helmet on) is Chris Goodwin, a long time McLaren test driver, who also used to pilot F1s (as in the McLaren F1) in sportscar racing. He currently mentors Bruno Senna in GP2.
trevor2k @ Jul 15th 2008 2:23PM
mmmmm......nachos.
Jeff @ Jul 15th 2008 2:44PM
It is hard to tell, but I am not a fan of the new look. May come a long way when the camo is removed.
Found a video of it that would make anyone want to drive it despite the unattractive new body.
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jul08/03_001235_First_Shots_Of_The_Mercedes_Benz_SLR_McLaren_Speedster.html
damn_fast @ Jul 15th 2008 3:17PM
I love what Alex Roy and Matt Farah said:
this car is stupid ... and you will need a helmet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jjoBqNz1J4
gabe ramos @ Jul 15th 2008 3:25PM
Looks like a hot wheels. Finally a car that looks like a racing car. The Mclaren Merc was a total flop, sure it was fast, but super ugly.
GOt MILk @ Jul 15th 2008 4:20PM
the car looks so sweet when the camo covers up the pass seat
Kitko @ Jul 15th 2008 4:28PM
The car looks ridiculous.
GOt MILk @ Jul 15th 2008 4:37PM
if you ask me, they should put a twin-turbo V-12 with direct-ingection and a 7-speed manumatic and call it the Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren RSS
GOt MILk @ Jul 15th 2008 4:38PM
if you ask me though, they should put a twin-turbo V-12 with direct-ingection and a 7-speed sequential manumatic and call it the SLR Mclaren RSS
Michael @ Jul 15th 2008 7:02PM
Anyone guess a lap time for this thing? Mine is 7:28. I think the raced out version SLR 722 did it in 7:38.
Richard @ Jul 15th 2008 8:19PM
I hope:
1. The doors scissor upwards
2. They keep the side pipes
3. They add a vertical fin behind the driver's roll bar
4. They paint it BRG
Then, it will have all the elements of my favourite historical race cars...with some nice, new technology.
Wonder how wired wheels would look. Hmmmmm........