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MERCEDES-BENZ SLR
CAR
MODEL:
MERCEDES-BENZ SLR |
TYPE:
2-Door Convertible. |
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RELIABILITY:
Hand built by skilled engineers at the High-tech McLaren
Headquarters in Woking, Surrey, the SLR is solid.
Built in the same building as the formula 1 cars you
can expect the same exacting standards. |
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| VERDICT:µµµµµ |
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Phenomenal
performance from its supercharged 5439cc V8 all intercooled
supercharged alloy engine is not blunted by a low-tech
five speed automatic gear box (Borrowed from the Matbach)
or its rather large weight at 1768Kg. With a 0-60 time
of 3.8 seconds its no slouch yet its kitted out with everything
that you would expect from a top level Mercedes. It reaches
0 - 125 mph in 10 seconds and will wheel spin most of
the way if you push it.
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COMMENTS:
It may be big and heavy, but the SLR handles with a surprising
agility and zest. Throw it into its first bend at real pace
and it feels special because here the McLaren part of its
name shines. The car changes direction neatly, long nose
and short tail seeming to pivot around the cabin, letting
you travel at speeds and angles that shouldn't be possible
in car of this size and weight. And the SLR's ultra-strong
carbonfibre chassis has allowed a real precision to be programmed
into the suspension. Firm, taut and beautifully damped,
the double wishbone suspension soaks up intrusions with
a limousine-like fluency and suppleness. Pity the steering
and brakes rob the driver of real push-on confidence. For
all their incredible performance the vast Sensotronic brake-by-wire
carbon-ceramic composite brakes disappoint with a lifeless
pedal that's impossible to modulate, and the steering is
quick, direct and accurate but bereft of the feel Porsche
and Ferrari drivers enjoy. |
P
e r f o r m a n c e D e
t a i l s
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Engine
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BHP
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MPG
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Fuel
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Ins
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Service
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0-60
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Top
Speed
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| 5439cc
V8 |
626
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19.5
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UL
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20
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On Boar
Comp
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3.8 Secs
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208 m.p.h
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