Rendered Speculation: SLR McLaren Speedster
Click to view the SLR Speedster rendering courtesy of the artist
With a host of new exotics coming out from both Mercedes-Benz and its F1 and erstwhile supercar partner McLaren, the ageing Mercedes SLR McLaren is about to be shown the back door. But not before one last hoorah. And if this illustration is any indication, it will be one rip-roaring, ear-piercing hoorah indeed.
Based on the spy shots that have already surfaced of the SLR McLaren "Speedster" (we don't know if that's what it'll be called officially, but that's the name we've been tossing around), talented illustrator Jon Sibal has crafted the rendering you see above. According to Sibal, the headlights will be the only element of the exterior carried over from previous incarnations of the SLR to the new, more hardcore roofless swan-song. The hood, which previously melded into the A-pillars, is more flat; the nose draws even more direct inspiration from McLaren-Mercedes formula racing cars; the exhaust pipes have been moved into the side vents... oh yeah, and there's no roof. None whatsoever. There's barely any windshield for that matter, just a couple of deflectors. Needless to say, we hope the actual vehicle turns out to be as dramatic as Sibal's conception.
Check out the gallery below to see the rendering in high-resolution, along with our previous crop of spy shots of the SLR Speedster.
Gallery: Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster
[Source: JonSibal.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pips 7:49PM (7/31/2008)
world most expensive flip flops~! LOL
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Chase 7:49PM (7/31/2008)
One million times better looking than the original. Mercedes does the open-top look real good.
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Chase 7:51PM (7/31/2008)
I have to know ... does it come with color-matched helmets? X)
letstakeawalk 12:39AM (8/01/2008)
MB has just dusted off some of the design cues from the F400 Carving concept. Absolutely brilliant!
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2000-2003/2002-Mercedes-Benz-F400-Carving-Concept-Turn-1024x768.htm
lamboman 6:29AM (8/01/2008)
Agreed. As stupid as I think the concept is, I do think that that is an amazingly good looking car.
JAZ 8:18PM (9/30/2008)
Holy....
John 7:52PM (7/31/2008)
Looks kinda like a Le Mans LMP racecar.... maybe give Audi's R10 TDI a run for it's money?
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FiyaWiya 8:04PM (7/31/2008)
Kinda looks like the old BatMobile.
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Kumail 9:15PM (7/31/2008)
just gorgeous, WANT!
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Mobius_1 9:29PM (7/31/2008)
It's an oversized Ariel Atom! Now with even more "face-morphing" pooowwwweeeeerrrrrr!
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I-man 10:03PM (7/31/2008)
i'm glad to see the ugly batmobile-esque side vents replaced with whatever is going on in the rendering. i never took that car seriously because my 8 year old nephew draws cars with vents like the current models.
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CarbonBlack 9:54PM (7/31/2008)
Anyone know how many are supposed to be made, or is it a race car?
I haven't seen any info
-thanks
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thomas perez 11:50PM (7/31/2008)
the original SLR concept was amazing looking, but for some reason the production version was never quite as magical.
but this..... this thing looks effing cool.
im not so sure about those side pipes/port holes poking out of the side scoop...
but either way, if the production car looks like that... mercedes might actually sell some.
"GOING FOR THE GOLD AND THE BIG ONE!!!!!"
sorry. couldnt help it.
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MONTE 1:26AM (8/01/2008)
In keeping with typical Mercedes design can we expect it to weigh around two tons? Love the looks, but you know it's going to cost almost a Mil and there are sooooooo many other cars that are in that price range. Give me a Caparo T1 and I'll take my chances with the floor falling off, bursting into flames, throttle sticking, etc. I know it's just me, but I picture Mercedes as big luxo cars like the S-Class and can't quite wrap my head around a Mercedes sports car.
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Davin Black 10:43PM (8/01/2008)
@Monte: Are you completely out of your tree? The Caparo will kill you if you drive it - no joke. Besides, Mercedes has one of the longest racing histories out there.
This thing is absolutely brilliant; I'm all about purist racers like the Caparo, the Atom, and the X-Bow, but this thing is glorious.
I'm still hard.
MONTE 1:48AM (8/02/2008)
I know they have a racing history, who doesn't, but when you pass a Mercedes on the street it is typically a large luxury car. There are plenty of Porsches, Ferraris, Corvettes, Vipers, etc. that are sports cars, but sports car isn't the first thing that pops into my mind when I think Mercedes. There is no doubt that the styling is over the top and great, but I still stand by my thinking that it isn't something normal from Mercedes. For me the biggest problem is Mercedes are all heavy, and for them to make even a "somewhat" lightweight car the whole damn thing will have to be carbon fiber.
Bryan 2:15AM (8/01/2008)
Left Click Image...Left Click High Res...Right Click Save As Desktop Background...That Is All.
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Sorin 3:52AM (8/01/2008)
I'm a big Mercedes fan, and I'm very excited to see something like this. If I could ever drive it… Who knows .. Oh I will hate the owners. :) JK Let’s think pink.
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