Autoblog

Mercedes racing chief reportedly attributes McLaren split to MP4-12C

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren used to be synonymous, both on the racing circuit with their Formula One collaboration as well as in the stratosphere of supercar-dom with the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But that's all in the history books now as the two outfits have gone their separate ways in both arenas.

For its part, Mercedes chose to go in-house with the SLS AMG, the effective successor to the SLR McLaren, while McLaren has developed the new MP4-12C supercar in-house as well, right down to the engine. Meanwhile Mercedes bought the Brawn GP team and is selling its stake in McLaren back to the team.

So why the split? According to Norbert Haug (pictured at right with Daimler chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche), the schism on both fronts came down to McLaren's desire to produce the MP4-12C independently. With all the factors that lead to the breakup, pinpointing that one specifically seems a little far-fetched to us, but as Mercedes' motorsport chief, we'd presume Haug knows what he's talking about.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C At Company Unveiling

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes racing chief reportedly attributes McLaren split to MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shining Star: Mercedes to throw its weight behind Brawn GP?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz

At this past weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the Brawn cars didn't just beat McLaren - they lapped them. With both teams running the same Mercedes engines, and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton piloting the lapped McLaren, it was clear that Brawn is simply running a better car. Anyone watching the race had to be wondering what the corporate big-wigs at Mercedes were thinking as the Brawn cars crossed the finish line a full lap ahead of the McLaren. But we can stop wondering now.

According to the latest reports, Mercedes is considering throwing more weight behind the championship-leading Brawn team. Or at least jumping on the bandwagon. The customer engine deal between the German automaker and the former Honda team doesn't include any branding on the BGP 001 chassis' livery - which remains conspicuously light on sponsorship altogether - but that could change as Mercedes is keen to cash in on the success of the team to which it's selling engines. Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug was quick to emphasize that any rapprochement to Brawn GP doesn't reflect on its relationship with McLaren, but with that partnership constantly in jeopardy, you can't help but wonder now if Mercedes would be saying the same if McLaren was leading and Brawn was marking the back.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty]

Shining Star: Mercedes to throw its weight behind Brawn GP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Formula Shuffle: Lola, Aston Martin reportedly considering F1 entries; Mercedes to leave?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz

A string of reports over the past couple of days are emerging to paint a picture of a potentially huge reshuffle of the Formula One grid and the players involved as early as next season. The FIA and the teams are planning another round of regulation changes to further curb costs in F1, but while that might entice some, for others it could be too little too late.

First up to bat is Mercedes-Benz, which owns 40% of the McLaren team and supplies engines to both it and to Force India. Officials admit that in the current economic climate, the German automaker may have to shut down its F1 program, although remaining in the sport solely as an engine supplier (in other words, severing its remaining ties with McLaren) remains an option.

Meanwhile, several potential new teams are reportedly lining up at the turnstiles at the promise of a more cost-effective formula for next year. One key player is Aston Martin, which is pursuing overall victory in the LMP1 class of Le Mans racing this year after achieving dominance of the GT classes over years past. The company, and more specifically its racing team, is run by David Richards, who once headed Honda's F1 team and has been keen to get back into F1 despite previous assertions that he would not be rushing Aston Martin onto the grid. In the meantime, Lola has announced that it is starting development on its own F1 chassis with an eye towards returning to the grid next season. The British manufacturer competed in F1 during the Sixties under various banners before aborting an attempt to return in 1997. Although Lola makes the chassis which Aston Martin is running in the Le Mans Series this year, so far reports are not suggesting that the two could team up for a joint grand prix venture.

The reduced budgets promised for next year could entice some GP2 teams to move up to F1 as well, however by this point in the season the FIA would usually have announced the regulations for next season so that teams could begin development of their cars for next year.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty]

Formula Shuffle: Lola, Aston Martin reportedly considering F1 entries; Mercedes to leave? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASMA Perfectus SLR is anything but

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for high-res image gallery of the ASMA Design Perfectus SLR

While we can't say we're huge fans of previous projects from ASMA Design, we understand that individual taste is beyond debate. The German tuner has customized virtually every car in the Mercedes lineup with its signature deep grilles and other styling elements that are definitely unique. And isn't that exactly what you're looking for in a personalized ride? Something unique? Something that stands out from the crowd? Something that makes a mockery of regular old off-the-rack vehicles?

While that mentality can certainly be understood when applied to models that you might pass on the road every day, we don't know what to think of doing this tuner treatment to an already great supercar like the Mercedes McLaren SLR. We get something like the RENNtech version, which turns the SLR into a DTM racer, but this new ASMA Design SLR is simply beyond us. Dubbed the ASMA Design Perfectus SLR, it was apparently designed for the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi, but will be available to any commoner with an SLR, too. While the bump in horsepower to 700 is attractive, we can't really say the same for the changes to the bodywork. If this seems like something you'd like done to your SLR, ASMA will be happy to take your €1 million.

Gallery: ASMA Perfectus SLR

[Source: MotorAuthority]

ASMA Perfectus SLR is anything but originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of SLR 722 Roadster pics

Certain cars encourage a response that is as routine and predictable as the reaction to a stoplight, and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is one of those cars. This is what happens every time someone gets in one, irrespective of their age, sex, or nationality: she snuggles into the seat, looks into the footwell to make sure her feet are placed just so on the pedals, slides her hands around the steering wheel for a couple of seconds to find just the right position, snuggles into the seat again... and then she just sits there, staring off into the distance. She might flip the paddles once or twice, or check out the center console. Then it's back to the thousand yard stare at the wall in front of her. She gets her picture taken, notices the line of people waiting to do the same thing, and it's all repeated again and again. And for good reason - the SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is topless testosterone-topped terrificality. 650 horsepower from a supercharged 5.5L V8 and a convertible soft top that'll stay put above 208 mph deserves the attention. You can check out the specs after the jump, or better yet, go straight to the gallery of high-res images below that we snapped in between the line of people waiting to sit in it.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Continue reading Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz reveals SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for high-res gallery of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

As the era of the Mercedes McLaren SLR winds down to its conclusion sometime in 2009, Mercedes-Benz is releasing what may be the ultimate example of the breed. The SLR 722 S Roadster picks up where the 722 coupe left off dropping the 650-hp supercharged 5.5L V8 into the open top body shell. With a top speed of 220.6 mph, this may be the fastest open top production car ever built. And unlike the first generation Dodge Viper, Mercedes has devised a soft top that can withstand sustained 200 mph+ top speeds. Mercedes has tapped into McLaren's F1 experience to create the fully carbon-fiber body that can provide the structural integrity needed at those speeds. The semi-automatic top just needs to be unlatched from the windshield header manually before the rest of the process is handled by the electrical actuators. The vehicle dynamics are also aided by dropping the suspension by 10 mm at each end of the car and recalibrating the spring and damper rates. Only 150 examples of the 722 S Roadster will be made available starting Jan. 1 2009.

Gallery: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722S Roadster

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz reveals SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Mercedes-Benz reveals SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Roadster... seriously

Noah Joseph — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

They have got to be kidding. Another SLR derivative? Before the Mercedes-McLaren supercar speeds off into the horizon, it will have spawned no less than six different versions - including the original coupe, the Roadster, 722, 722 GT, the upcoming "Speedster", and this latest variant - if the latest reports are to be believed. We would have thought that the spied Speedster version would have been the last, but then spy shots surface of what appears to be a 722 Roadster.

This undisguised vehicle carries all the visual cues of the 722 edition coupe: the dark grey 19" forged alloys hiding red brake calipers over oversized discs, plus the carbon fiber lip spoiler and darkened taillight clusters. The convertible can be expected to carry the same 650-hp supercharged V8 as the 722 coupe, only with the nifty hard-soft top from the roadster. By the state of readiness evident from these spy shots, we'd venture that the 722 Roadster will appear before the Speedster. And we trust that will be the end of the SLR... until someone says otherwise, of course.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Roadster... seriously originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: SLR McLaren Speedster

Noah Joseph — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Rendered Speculation

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]

Rendered Speculation: SLR McLaren Speedster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dissolution of Mercedes-McLaren partnership confirmed

Noah Joseph — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click for hi-res gallery of the Mercedes SLR McLaren

It's hard not to follow a story like the veritable fleet of new supercars set to follow the controversial Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The supercar came out of the partnership between Benz and McLaren in Formula One, but while the racing cars have been highly competitive, the SLR has been less so. As a result, Mercedes and McLaren are going their own separate ways for the next generation of high-performance exotica.

Mercedes, with in-house rodders AMG and its racing spin-off, HWA, is preparing two new models to succeed the SLR: the SL65 AMG Black Series (which has been spied many times over) and the SLC (which we've seen disguised in Dodge Viper bodywork). McLaren, meanwhile, is anticipated to produce the new P11 mid-engined supercar on its own, without Mercedes input. The dissolution of the car-producing enterprise between the two powerhouses is not expected to affect their joint grand prix racing program.

The last iteration of the SLR - following the original coupe, the Roadster and the 722 - will be a limited-production lightweight speedster, on which we recently reported. Despite all its available variants, Mercedes has sold fewer than 1600 examples of the SLR to date.

Gallery: 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]

Dissolution of Mercedes-McLaren partnership confirmed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster (w/VIDEO)

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Videos, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

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]

Continue reading Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster (w/VIDEO)

Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes & McLaren to produce final run of 75 lightweight SLR speedsters

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Click for hi-res gallery of the McMerc SLR Roadster.

Mercedes and McLaren are preparing to head their own separate ways for the next batch of supercars - including the Mercedes SLC, SL65 AMG Black Series and McLaren P11 - but not before one last hurrah. Emerging reports from Germany indicate that the two companies, which are anticipated to continue collaboration on the race track, will soon unveil one last special edition of the SLR before the controversial supercar speeds off towards the horizon and into the setting sun.

The final iteration of the SLR is reported to be a lightweight speedster with neither roof nor windscreen, just a small deflector. Thanks in part to the removal of air conditioning and power windows (neither of which are needed when you don't have a roof anyway), curb weight has been trimmed by about 200 kilos (approximately 440 pounds), and promises to rip your head right off with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), some 13 km/h over the previous top-dog SLR 722's maximum velocity. Only 75 examples will be produced, at a price of €450,000. Oh, and Lewis Hamilton is said to have something to do with the project, which is inspired by the legendary 1955 300 SLR Silver Arrows. Stay tuned for more details, with initial images reportedly due to surface tomorrow.

Gallery: 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Mercedes & McLaren to produce final run of 75 lightweight SLR speedsters originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes SLR McLaren production ends entirely next year

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for high-res gallery of the SLR Roadster

It's been a long, drawn-out goodbye for the lackluster Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The last of the original coupes rolled smoothly off the production line at the end of last year, and the subsequent SLR Roadster is set to follow in 2009.

The SLR drew criticism from the start as a wishy-washy compromise of a supercar with an automatic transmission, better suited towards boulevard cruising - of which it was capable in the grandest style - than white-knuckle driving. The future is looking brighter, however, as a whole array of mouth-watering supercars is popping up in the SLR's place. We brought you news yesterday that the SLR's supercharged V8 engine could find its way into the next Pagani. Before that we brought you spy shots of the upcoming SL65 AMG Black Series, whose performance promises to eclipse the SLR's at a fraction of the price. Mercedes is also preparing an even more extreme SLC with potentially even more blistering performance. McLaren, meanwhile, unhappy with the compromises forced upon it by Mercedes over the SLR project, is going its own way with the P11 project. With this cache of supercars coming down the road, we think it'll be rather hard to miss the SLR at all. Don't you?

Gallery: LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes SLR McLaren production ends entirely next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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