Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR Roadster Concept

Frankfurt Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz presents roadster study for the Vision SLR

Stuttgart, Sep 08, 1999 - For the past few months, a mere three letters have been enough to quicken the pulse of motor enthusiasts the world over: SLR.

In the wake of the presentation of the Vision SLR super sports car in Detroit in January of this year, and the decision to go into volume production with this fascinating vehicle, the letters SLR have become synonymous with design and engineering excellence - an unparalleled synthesis of aesthetics and cutting-edge technology which has provided the industry with a fresh stimulus for future sports car development.

Mercedes-Benz has now provided a new adrenaline boost: the Frankfurt Motor Show will see the world premiere of a topless version of this high-performance sports car of the future. Its name: the Vision SLR Roadster.

This two-seater combines the state-of-the-art technology of the SLR coupe with the unique driving enjoyment of a Mercedes roadster. The long hood, the powerful sweep of the fenders and the striking gull-wing doors echo the hallmarks of the high-performance sports cars of the fifties, which have long since achieved legendary status. In the Vision SLR roadster, such time-honored attributes harmonize with the modern design elements of the Mercedes-Benz marque and the Silver Arrow currently used on the Formula 1 circuit.

The body hides systems and components which Mercedes-Benz, pacemaker in technology, is now presenting for the very first time: ceramic brake disks, carbon-fiber chassis components and seats, an adaptive headlight system with cornering beam, and the electronically controlled Sensortronic Brake System.

Powerful acceleration is delivered by a 410 kW/557 hp V8 engine which, true to the style of the legendary Mercedes sports cars, is charged by a compressor. This guarantees superlative driving performance - 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 11.3 seconds, and a top speed of 320 km/h.