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Mercedes will send its SLR supercar out with a bang when it launches this sensational Speedster version at the Detroit motor show in January.
The Mercedes SLR Speedster is likely to be the last road car link between McLaren and Mercedes. It’s a roofless, windscreen-less chop top that’s 200kg lighter than the standard SLR, accelerates from 0-180mph in 26 seconds and tops out at an incredible 218mph.
Mercedes has cut as much weight from the standard SLR as possible, ditching its air conditioning system and using more carbon fibre in construction. It will also get carbon ceramic brakes a new track-derived exhaust system.
Set up primarily for straight-line speed, only 75 SLR Speedsters will be built and most are expected to end up in the Middle East. It won’t be sold in America because of the country’s increasingly emissions regulations.
The Speedster’s been inspired by the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, according to sources at Mercedes. And to ensure its rarity it will cost a whopping £600,000.
Rumour has it that Lewis Hamilton will present the SLR Speedster at its launch and will be given one by Mercedes.
You can see Merc’s SLR Speedster in more detail in this (suspiciously well-edited) ‘spy video’ that’s just appeared on YouTube.
Will Powell
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