DaimlerChrysler Confirms the Mercedes-Benz SLR

Stuttgart -- DaimlerChrysler announced that it has entered into an agreement for the design and production of the Mercedes-Benz SLR with McLaren Cars Ltd. The two companies will invest a total of about $200 million in this project. The vehicle will reflect the heritage, philosophies and styling of Mercedes-Benz and will be produced utilizing the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques at the new TAG McLaren facilities currently under construction in Woking, England. The market launch of this super sports car is scheduled for the year 2003.

Through the concept of the Mercedes-Benz SLR, DaimlerChrysler and McLaren intend to ensure the transfer of technology and image from their successful world championship Formula One partnership to series production, while at the same time reviving the legend of the Silver Arrows with this super sports car.

In the opinion of experts, the segment of top-class sports cars -- at which the Mercedes-Benz SLR is aimed -- will almost double during the next five years and reach an annual volume of approx. 2,500 cars. DaimlerChrysler expects to be able to meet up to 20 percent of the demand in this segment. The major markets for the Mercedes-Benz SLR will be the USA, Europe, Japan and Middle East.

The benchmark for 21st Century sports cars

According to Prof. Jürgen Hubbert, the DaimlerChrysler board member responsible for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars: "By designing and producing the Mercedes-Benz SLR, we will once again underline our global leading position in the field of technical innovations. The Mercedes-Benz SLR is an incomparable combination of the brand's charac-teristic design, future-oriented innovation and unparalleled safety, quality and performance -- in this way, it will become the benchmark for 21st Century sports cars. McLaren is the ideal partner for us to work in close cooperation to develop and produce the Mercedes-Benz SLR."

Ron Dennis, Managing Director of the TAG McLaren Group: "This announcement represents one of the most important milestones in the development of the TAG McLaren Group. It is, of course, our intention to bring the same level of focus to bear on this project which has seen us achieve success with Mercedes-Benz in Formula One. I am sure the SLR will reflect the total commitment to excellence that both our companies constantly strive to achieve."

Bodywork made of high-performance materials

With the decision to produce the Mercedes-Benz SLR, the Stuttgart-based brand returns to the Gran Turismo segment. The two-seater will continue the tradition of the legendary Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz and will secure pole position among tomorrow's high-performance sports cars with ground-breaking technical innovations adopted from For-mula One.

Like the current McLaren Mercedes racing car which carries the three-pointed star, the super sports car will have bodywork made of an intelligent combination of carbon fibre and other high-performance materials which ensure maximum rigidity and occupant protection at a weight that will set the standards in this category.

Exemplary handling stability and safety will be provided by features such as optimum aerodynamics, advanced electronic control systems and fibre-reinforced ceramic brakes.

Top-class values in terms of torque and road speed

The Mercedes-Benz SLR will be powered by a V8 engine producing more than 544 horsepower. The car has a target weight of about 3,100 pounds, which will permit top-class acceleration and speed. Equipped with a supercharger and a special water-based intercooler, the engine will develop over 500 ft.-lbs. of torque at about 4,000 rpm.

Front design cues from Formula One,

The eye-catching body design, clearly identifying the super sports car as a Mercedes-Benz, is characterized by the balanced integration of traditional and modern styling elements. The front section -- with Mercedes' characteristic "four-eye face", arrow-shaped front and distinctive double wings at the lower tip of the front end -- reflects the dynamic look of the current McLaren Mercedes Silver Arrow. The design of the engine hood and fenders newly interprets features of the SL sports cars from the Fifties. Like-wise, the gullwing doors, which open automatically by means of gas-pressure springs, are a modern-day interpretation of the legendary Silver Arrows that the Stuttgarters launched in the Fifties.