Test drive Mercedes Benz Slr Strip Moss 2009 compartment

Silver dream

Of course, the owner of Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren worth 375 thousand euros, which affects design and technical characteristics, will not be able to become everyone. For most people, this is a supra -car, which is difficult to remain indifferent and which can only be dreamed of.

Dreaming, as they say, is not harmful. So I, when I was at the Frankfurt Motor Show, would never have thought that I had a meeting at the Daimlerchrysler of the great washing Moss, who in 1955 on Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR won the famous Mille Miglia race and take an autograph from him (in the photo below. ). And he would never believe that in a couple of months I would be on the expanses of the South African coast, where the new Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren, the world premiere of Frankfurt 2003 and the successor of the great traditions of the famous automobile brand, took place.

Travel to the ends of the world

It is really great when in the lineup of the famous manufacturer there is a model that reflects history, image and embodied the latest achievements of modern automotive industry. I thought about this when I stood on the two oceans Cape of Good Hope and admired this silver bird, whose name Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren. Perhaps it is difficult to find a more picturesque place where the landscapes of the Atlantic coast of South Africa and a car made in a futuristic style would be so combined.

Since the famous winged 300 SL, Mercedes-Benz fans have not seen such an expressive model. SLR retained the main features of a road car of 50 years ago: the front-line layout characteristic of Turismo models, and, of course, the doors opened upward. Unlike Grandpa 300 SL, the SLR design does not affect the roof, but it looks no less exotic. It’s hard to believe, but with strong gusts of wind, the open doors of the car either drove slightly down, then under the influence of pushers again rose slightly, as if it were not a car, but a fantastic bird that spread wings before take -off. An incomparable spectacle, especially against the backdrop of mountains and endless ocean spaces. No, this cannot be conveyed in words this must be seen!

SLR is not only a thoroughbred car worthy of the artist’s brush, he is the heir to the sports glory of the 300 SLR model. This is emphasized by the exhaust pipes located on the side, and such reminiscent of the modern formula-1 features as a sharp nose and lower spoiler. Thanks to the anterior air intake and side gills, he causes in memory the image of the inhabitant of the local water of the White Shark so beloved by many automobile designers. But SLR is not a predator at all, and the sharks themselves are not as terrible as it seems at first glance. SLR is not a sports car with a posterior component, says a representative of Daimlerchrysler. This is a Gran Turismo of the 21st century, powerful, swift and beautiful, on which you can comfortably travel to any distances.

The opportunity to enjoy a cocktail, the recipe of which included amazing nature and a supra vehicle resembling a spaceship, for 465 km, drove the imagination. Two days allotted on six routes, another day on the racing track in Kyalah plus magnificent weather (25C) and an endless stream of impressions. Very good for a Russian journalist who left Belokamennaya in December. Fatigue from the tedious 19-hour flight as a hand was removed, and twenty minutes after arriving at the Cape Town Hotel, we already enjoyed the Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren provided with us with a strong drink.

Silver arrow

The name Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren is too long, but the silver arrow, the name under which the sports Mercedes-Benz W125 (646 hp) smashed competitors in the pre-war period, just right. After light pressing the key, the door went smoothly up, and a 2-seater SLR interior, which was designed in silver-red-black tones, appeared to the eye. Despite the unusual design of the doors and 192 cm of growth, I without much difficulty penetrated inside and comfortable in a tight -fitting chair. Do not worry if you have the same muscle mass as this car, you can choose for yourself any of the three options for monolithic seats made, by the way, made of carbon fiber. Size XL is small?

Take the XXL or XXXL wider, and find the optimal position and adjust the steering wheel for yourself is not difficult. Do not rush to insert the key to the ignition lock and press the coveted Engine Start button, located, like the closest relatives of this car, on the handle of the gearbox lever. Look around, and you will see with what love and soul of the OFORT these apartments are. Against the background of the contrast of neatly stitched red and black skin, a silver central console looks very stylish. The interior is to match the appearance, here, too, cosmic motifs and indomitable power of the silver arrow are felt here. And what about the instrument panel? As in the legendary 300 SLR, it has two large dials of a tachometer and a speedometer with a maximum mark on which the F-16 fighter is already gaining height, 360 km/h. Now you can open the damper and press the Engine Start button.

Under the first notes performed by V8, the car, together with passengers located in it, first shudders slightly, and then its salon is filled with bass characteristic of V-shaped engines. In a narrow F-1, tunnel, two pedals brake and floor gas pedal. Automatic 5-band gearbox with the ability to operate in three Comfort, Manual and Sport modes, and the manual mode offers three more Sport, Supersport and the most exciting Race. This is all that you can curb 626 horses that are indomitably torn to the will, and 780 Nm, of which 600 Nm make themselves felt at 1,500 rpm. What is the Race mode!
To get started, the machine, and only in the most comfortable mode. In fact, the SLR engine has the right to 7000 rpm, but in automatic mode II, the transmission replaces I at 3000 rpm. The arrow is poured into the dense city stream of Cape Town and follows in the direction indicated by the navigation system. Despite some difficulties due to left-handed movement, it is not difficult to navigate in the city on this car. The review that SLR provides can envy most of the owners of sportsmen. The driver’s landing, surprisingly, was not very low, the racks do not interfere, the rear -view mirrors are quite informed about the situation on the road, and the infinitely long hood and the voice of the Made by Amg engine add emotions.

From the steering wheel to the tip of the nose as much as 2.68 m than not a silver arrow! Only now composite brakes are clearly not configured at the dreary pace of urban movement, often not exceeding 40 km/h. They work very hard and, along with the noise of the transmission, remind of the sports character of the machine. Suddenly, I felt that when moving in a cork, the car slows down the gas itself. It turns out that Tailback Assist, which independently slows down the machine when releasing the gas pedal and at speeds not exceeding 60 km/h, can be treated with such surprises. Compared to Ferrari Enzo, where, in addition to hard brakes, the semi -automatic gearbox, which is not adapted for city streets, does not tire with its combat character. Klima Control and Bose Sound System also contribute to a good mood, but no Bose will overshadow the colorful bass of the V-shaped eight.

The truth is, no matter how comfortable you feel in a sports car, ruthlessly squeezed by other participants in the movement, the only thing that warms your soul is the hope that in a couple of kilometers you will still break out on the spaces of the motorway.

Race on!

We transfer the rotary switch to manual mode, and into the hottest Race version. Gas is on the floor, and the transmission is changed with comfortable keys located on the back of the steering wheel. The first program, II, III 210 km/h, about the next two in straight sections of South African roads, you can forget! There is no much doubt that the speed line of 300 km/h will be SLR on the shoulder.
The engine with a volume of 5.5 liters with might and main sucks fresh Atlantic air supplied by the mechanical compressor and makes the unique sounds of the AMG orchestra. The surrounding landscape turns into a lubricated picture. Monkeys who sit along the road, like stray dogs, become impossible to distinguish from local residents at such a speed everything merges together. SLR easily exchanges the second hundred, an aluminum double -leaf suspension swallows the road uneven, and the steering wheel is poured with a pleasant weight. In this mode, you feel quite confident in this car, even despite the strong side wind. Aerodynamics are on top, and the dynamics is impressive.

According to technical data, the maximum speed is SLR 334 km/h. Of course, this is not a limit for a sports car, but for Mercedes this is not so relevant. Indeed, back in January 1938, Rudolf Karachiol on a car with a three -beam star set a speed record on the highway 435 km/h, which has not yet been broken! The numbers of acceleration are most intriguing: from a place to 100 km/h, SLR accelerates in 3.8 s, that is, only 0.15 C is slower than Ferrari Enzo, and 0.1 C faster than Porsche Carrera GT. The secret of the enviable abilities of the SLR lies in the hurricane power of the AMG motor and the successful selection of the transmission numbers, as a result, the car shoots like a gun. Of course, the head in the trunk does not fly away, and why? Although it is written by McLaren, this does not mean that you are in front of you F-1. In addition, SLR will not sit at the wheel of SLR, John Fors, who makes 520 km/h on his own, from a place for 4.7 s, and a normal person who has succeeded and who does not want to die with the car on the same day. SLR gives enough emotions. And although I do not have such a rich life experience that the compatriot Foreman Showman Jay Leno, who has in his personal garage of cars for $ 50 million and claiming that driving on SLR is equivalent to having sex with an acrobatical instructor, nevertheless, this car is indeed driving Very captured, especially on serpentines.

The main thing is that no one will be worried ahead, and you have to be more careful in closed turns. SLR writes the desired trajectory as a Schumacher Racing Line in Monte Carlo. The steering wheel makes from the stop to stop 2.2 turns and does not require frequent interceptions. The steering knitting needles in the place of the grip is thick, and the information content is a little lack of the steering, but it is a pleasure to use the keys of the gearbox shifting. Composite brakes when driving in speed mode are simply indispensable. Together with the Michelin Pilot Sport tires 245/40 ZR18 in front and 295/35 ZR18, they instantly extinguish the ardor of SLR and all its horses, without violating the stabilization of the machine.

Moreover, the rear spoiler working as an anti -wing, with a sharp decrease in speed, is fixed at an angle of 65, creating additional aerodynamic slowdown and pressing force on the rear axle unloaded at the time of braking. And, of course, SLR has ABS, ESP and SBC. And where without them? Those who, for example, some sportsmen were leaders in the number of killed owners have passed. In the turns of SLR it does not scare the sudden loss of clutch with the road, it seems that all your actions under the vigilant control of stabilization systems regardless of whether ESP is disabled or not. But on the wet asphalt with combined braking, that is, with a box and brake when turning on a reduced gear, the machine wags a slightly tail, and without any signs of ESP operation. No, the electronic assistants in the SLR work exactly when it is necessary, protecting the driver as much as possible from rash acts. Make pleasure in managing this fantastic car, fascinated by the views of the surrounding and pleasing eye of the landscapes!

The only problem we have encountered are local residents. Just look at the picturesque place and stop to arrange a photo shoot, as a crowd of curious gathers immediately. Of course, the car is unusual, but we also need to do our work! What kind of car? How much it costs? Where are you from? Directly some disaster! Norwegian journalists generally proposed to exchange SLR for his Mercedes W126 and his wife in addition. And when the Norwegians politely refused, my wife got out of the car and, smiling affably, asked: maybe you are interested in my husband? The days spent in Cape Town were saturated: briefings, SLR tests, and in the evening dinner with representatives of McLaren and Daimlerchrysler. And on the last day, another interesting event of Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren on a racing highway in Kyalah, not far from Johannesburg, awaited us.

Grand Prix of South Africa

Not so long ago, the Grand Prix of South Africa opened the season of the Formula-1 World Cup. Moreover, exactly ten years ago, a prize by one of the last stages held in the keys was Ayrton Senna on the McLaren car. Today, McLaren will again iron this route, however, not in the image of the F-1 boat, but embodied in Mercedes-Benz Slr. Each of the journalists was allowed to drive three circles, and the mentors were given a professional pilot, the winner of the races in the le-man, the Englishman Chris Goodwin. After a minute or two, we were already rushing along the legendary track with a length of 4.2 km. You can’t call it especially high -speed.

A lot of turns with height changes, where the longest section of the line is straight by Vodacom Straight (800 m). At the end of this section, with an almost twisted transmission III, the speedometer shows 200 km/h. Light braking, entering the arc of turning and full gas. The car is slightly fenced to the left, showing its considerable mass, and, having spelled out the right turn, rushes into the gentle left Telkom Curve. The main loads of centrifugal acceleration were perceived by my body. Telkom Curve we fly in full speed in a moment. On the speedometer 190 km/h, light braking in front of Nashua Corner.

SLR slowly slows down, but braking occurs very smoothly, the car does not scour, the front is not pecking, only the ESP indicator flashes on the instrument panel. The silhouettes of the old Pete Lane are carried by, and we are already in the protracted law of Good-Year Sweep. In a turn, the SLR demonstrates a magnificent balance, the adjustment of the trajectory is not difficult, and the car takes off on the hill to the next turn at a speed of 200 km/h. Surprisingly, it is very easy to drive this car very quickly not only to a professional pilot, but also to an ordinary driver. We worked a lot to SLR stability at high speeds and in corners, and Michelin experts made excellent tires. There are no surprises in the SLR management like excess or insufficient rotation, and he will not rub your nerves, Chris says, and it is difficult to disagree with him. In SLR, all of it is felt almost 1700 kg of equipped mass, but they do not interfere with the driving quickly. The rear axle accounts for about 51% of the mass of the car, and in high -speed mode with sharp slowdown and protracted turns, the SLR aerodynamics allows you to maintain the balance of the machine close to ideal, which positively affects its stability and handling. We quickly fly the rest of the distance and return to Pete Lane. So the acquaintance with Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren ended. A long flight of home awaits us ahead, so there will be time to digest everything experienced in such a short time.

Gran Turismo

It is not necessary to be surprised that SLR will become one of the fastest machines of the 21st century that can be purchased. A double sports car created and assembled in McLaren International Ltd. And not only equipped with a magnificent engine, but also using the latest achievements of Mercedes techniques, organically combines readiness both to aggressive driving and traveling long distances. SLR is the result of the fruitful work of the best specialists Daimlerchrysler and McLaren, says McLaren representative Harald McDermatot. Of course, this is not a F-1 car for public roads, as the press often represents it. Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren car of the Gran Turismo class, which embodies experience and advanced F-1 technologies. Leaving him, the driver will not feel squeezed like a lemon with a car with a pilot, but on the contrary, it will impatient to wait for the next trip.

The car will be produced in the British town of Woking, in the homeland of McLaren, for seven years of 500 copies a year. Some experts, citing McLaren F1, believe that 3,500 cars are a lot to successfully promote the model, the price of which is equal to the cost of Maybach, and that in a year the real price of SLR will be 100120 thousand euros less than the original. But McLaren is not Mercedes, representatives of Daimlerchrysler say. We have a world brand, which is represented by almost all parts of the world and which is respected and appreciated. Even if we make 6500 such cars and only 10% of our dealers will sell one car a year, we will be satisfied with the result. Nevertheless, the queue of those who want to purchase SLR is scheduled for three years in advance. The first car was sold at the Christies auction in New York for $ 2.1 million (at a starting price of 1.5 million), and all the proceeds will go to the children's fund. The main sales will begin in the spring of this year, and those who want to purchase Silver Dream still have the time to list a deposit of 50 thousand euros.

Some technical characteristics of Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 4656x1908x1261
Equipped mass, kg: 1693
Base, mm: 2700
Engine type: gasoline V8 24-valve with a mechanical supercharger
Working volume, cubic meter. See: 5439
Max. Power, L.S./rpm: 626/6500
Max. moment, nm/rpm: 780/32505000
Transmission: automatic 5-band
Front tires/back: 245/40 ZR18/295/35 ZR18
Max. Speed, km/h: 334
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, s: 3.8
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
in the mixed cycle: 14.5
Top volume, l: 97.6

Vadim Ovsyankin

Source: Avtopanorama magazine