Mercedes McLaren SLR: ultimate roadster
Mercedes SLR road test
Review: Sam Hardy
Date Posted: 08/08/2007
Review: Sam Hardy
Date Posted: 08/08/2007
Road Tests RSS FeedOn track: SLR uses McLaren F1 know-how
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
What is it?
The ultimate open-top Mercedes. SLR Roadster signals the end for the Coupe with production at McLaren’s Woking plant swapping over this year. Power comes from a 626hp 5.5-litre supercharged V8. Priced at £350,000.
What's hot?
- Those looks. It’s even more striking than the Coupe
- Hits 207mph roof-up – the same as the Coupe
- Incredible V8 sounds even better roof-down…
- …and provides relentless acceleration
- Despite the lack of a roof, it’s as stiff as the Coupe…
- …and still gets those amazing scissor-style doors too
What's not?
- Price – it costs £35,000 more than the Coupe
- Roof isn’t fully automatic. You have to release it manually!
- Feels very intimidating to drive with huge width…
- …and ceramic brakes that are either on or off
- Steering is far too sharp, handling surprisingly uninvolving
- Auto should be replaced by a decent twin-clutch paddle-shift
- Depreciation will be horrific
What you need to Know
| P11D Value: | £350,000 |
| Monthly Rental*: | £n/a |
| Tax Band when posted: | 35% |
| Monthly BiK: | Are you worried? |
| Engine: | 5.5-litre supercharged V8 |
| CO2 Emissions: | n/a |
| Power/torque: | 626hp/780 Nm |
| Economy: | n/a |
Business Car Manager Road Test Rating
Visually and aurally incredible, the SLR Roadster has even more appeal than the Coupe. But it still doesn’t add up. An SL55 AMG offers a similar experience for a third of the price while Pagani’s Zonda Roadster shows what a true £350,000 driver’s car is like.
TAGS: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, Merc SLR, SLR Roadster, McLaren Mercedes sports car, Sam Hardy, SLR road test
