MERCEDES BENZ SLR McLaren (C199) 2003-2007 Photos, engines & full specs

Nobody expected to look so similar to the 1999 prototype that was shown at the North American International Auto Show.

The series model was introduced in late 2002 and looked very similar to the concept car. The McLaren SLR was built using Formula 1 technology such as carbon-fiber underbody safety systems, special aluminum alloys, and active aerodynamic systems. Then, the roadster showed up in 2007.

The car was built at the TAG McLaren facilities in Woking, the U.K. It featured a lightweight construction using Formula 1 technology. The carbon-fiber structure and the active aerodynamic were developed for the F1 racing cars and they were installed on the SLR. It was the most sophisticated sports car ever built to then. Under hard braking, an aerodynamic brake was released from the top of the trunk-lid, like a fixed parachute. The light-alloy wheel design was specific for that model and they looked like a turbine. It wasn't only for the show, they were extracting the air from the wheel-wells and helped to cool the brakes.

To climb inside the car, the door was opened upwards. The side sill was wide, like the one in the 300 SLR Gullwing. The interior featured a combination of aluminum, carbon-fiber, and leather. The start-button was under a cover on top of the gearshift lever, like in a fighter-jet.

Under the hood, there was a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine. It was mated to the 5G-Tronic gearbox, but fitted with different software and badged as an AMG Speedshift R gearbox.