Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
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22nd December, 2008
Three letters are all it takes to make car fans’ hearts beat faster:
SLR. In the 1950s the Mercedes-Benz SLR 300 celebrated victory after victory. It won the Mille Miglia and the Targa
Florio as well as the Tourist Trophy. It was driven by the stars of the time: Juan Manual Fangio and Karl Kling –
and, first and foremost, by the British racing driver Stirling Moss. At 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds he still
holds the Mille Miglia record. This is why the modern-day version of the legendary SLR carries the additional words
“Stirling Moss” in its name. The new SLR Stirling Moss unites the character of the current SLR models with the
fascination of the SLR of 1955. The core values of both the historical and the present-day SLR models include an
exciting new design, innovative technology, high-class materials displaying perfect craftsmanship, and, above all: a
unique driving experience for all the senses.
Whilst the 300 SLR earned its spurs on racing circuits the world over, the new member of the SLR family is not
designed for the racetrack. Although it sets new standards in terms of technology, performance and excitement – just
like its forebears – it is aimed at individuals who have exquisite requirements and nurture very special dreams.
Highly puristic concept without a roof or a windscreen
Remaining totally true to the specifications of the 300 SLR, the new Silver Arrow’s equipment is extremely
sophisticated and yet at the same time decidedly spartan, doing without both a roof and side windows. There are just
two wind deflectors a couple of centimetres in height to protect the driver and passenger from the airflow. Two air
scoops integrated into the bodywork serve as roll-over bars. With this extreme concept the new SLR Stirling Moss is
visually very different from all the other vehicles which belong to the elite sports car class.
Just like the legendary racing vehicles of yesteryear, the SLR Stirling Moss dazzles with its superlative
performance. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h this
puristic high-performance sports car denotes completely new dimensions in open-top driving. And not just because of
the impressive performance figures; every time drivers take to the wheel of the SLR Stirling Moss their senses are
addressed with a previously unheard of intensity, conveying a driving experience in its purest and most sensual form.
This automotive thoroughbred thus facilitates the kind of open-air feeling that is utterly unique for a road-going
vehicle.
Exciting design reminiscent of the SLR racing cars
The entire bodywork of the SLR Stirling Moss is made of fine lightweight carbon fibre and represents a stand-alone
design concept. Whilst the Mercedes-Benz designers were working on the body of the new SLR Stirling Moss, they were
fully aware at every single moment that they were creating a vehicle with a top speed of 350 km/h. At the same time
this supreme athlete is highly reminiscent of the SLR racing cars from the 1950s, whose design idiom still never
fails to impress to this day.
The SLR Stirling Moss sports an exciting, pronounced arrow-shaped form and is characterised by an elongated bonnet
and a compact, muscular rear. As there is no windscreen, the exterior and interior flow smoothly into one. The bonnet
also stretches from its striking tip right down into the interior, giving the vehicle body a distinctly sleek air.
Even when standing still, the sports car radiates a dynamism that the observer immediately falls under its spell.
Further eye-catching features include two air scoops behind the driver and passenger. They carry additional
roll-over bars, also uniting the traditional and the modern. The wings are powerfully contoured. Black-painted
ventilation “gills” sitting facet-like on the sides and on the bonnet also cite the legend. A thrilling interplay of
light and shadow ensues through the expressive lines, underlining the dynamic overall impression.
Exactly as they were on the shining historical example, the side skirts on the new SLR Stirling Moss are also very
high. This prompted the designers’ decision in favour of folding swing-wing doors which open forwards.
The vehicle can be closed by two tonneau covers which are carried in the boot. When both tonneau covers and the
doors are closed the SLR Stirling Moss resembles a sculpture.
In keeping with the puristic exterior of the vehicle, the interior is also reduced to the bare essentials. Surfaces
in the instrument panel and doors make for an exciting atmosphere and epitomises perfectionism. A mixture of high-class
authentic materials such as carbon fibre, aluminium and fine-quality leather sets the style here. An aluminium plate
carries the engraved signature of Stirling Moss and covers the area around the shift lever.
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Innovative technology and polished aerodynamic concept
Developers working on the Stirling Moss were able to fall back on a wealth of experience gathered when
producing the SLR Coupé and Roadster, in particular where the technical base was concerned, with its
extravagant carbon-fibre design, high-performance suspension and throaty V8 engine. The common denominator
uniting the Stirling Moss with the other members of the SLR 'family' is the aerodynamic concept with a
closed underbody and a diffuser in the rear bumper for maximum possible downforce at the rear axle – with
one difference: the diffuser here is considerably larger than that on the coupé and roadster.
Thanks to the high-precision work carried out in the wind tunnel, the SLR Stirling Moss always
generates sufficient downforce for extremely safe handling. But the driver can also manually operate the
AIRBRAKE in order to increase the contact pressure further, during particularly sporty driving, for
example. The AIRBRAKE is also raised during powerful braking at speeds above 120 km/h (75 mph), so as to
stabilise the vehicle even more in such situations, thus facilitating maximum possible deceleration.
Limited to 75 units – the SLR models’ crowning glory
The new SLR Stirling Moss is the kind of high-calibre speedster coveted by the sporting gentry and
enthusiasts alike. At the same time it is a collector’s item which marks the pinnacle of an era and, for
the foreseeable future, at least, the final curtain for the SLR. In May 2009 production of the SLR models
will cease; only a total of 75 units of the Stirling Moss will be manufactured between June and December
2009, bearing chassis numbers from 1 to 75. Not only does this exclusive vehicle represent the conclusion
of the current SLR family; it also serves as a very special thank you to the most loyal of SLR customers,
for they are the only ones able to acquire a Stirling Moss.
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