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2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's car experts read road tests from the most reputable sources to compile this definitive review of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. TheCarConnection.com's resident enthusiasts also drove the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and have added their driving impressions and more details, where they bring you better information and help you decide which reviews to trust when opinions differ.

Likes:

  • Space Shuttle-style thrust
  • Roadster version
  • Utter exclusivity

Dislikes:

  • Somewhat jittery handling
  • Leftover cockpit switches and gauges
  • Do you have $400,000 to spare?

Buying Tips:


Pray for winning lottery tickets--and luck. Mercedes-Benz will not build many more SLR McLarens, and the price tag ensures its exclusivity.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an utterly outrageous, unbelievably fast supercar with a huge price tag to match--this year, it's also a convertible.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren gets its interstellar power from a big V-8 displacing 5.4 liters. Horsepower peaks at 617, as does the sound and fury that comes when it's pushed. Coupled to AMG's Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, the roadster hits 62 mph from a standing start in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is a claimed 207 mph, and fuel economy is suitably dismal at 12/16 mpg.

The shape is something like a wasp-waisted Mercedes version of the Corvette, and that's no backhand compliment. It's beautifully executed in person, though the interior is a bit of a letdown. There's the cool Start button hidden under a perforated cover--but the SLR's gauges could have come out of the much cheaper Benz SLK. If you're spending $400,000, you want more than just the basic tach, speedo, water temp, and fuel gauges.
The newly added roadster version has a fully retractable roof, designed to blend with the SLR's smooth body. To open the roof, you must unlock it from the windshield frame, after which it folds away automatically. The semi-automatic roof will open or close in 10 seconds.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR handles with the extreme precision required from a car that can shoot past 200 mph. On smooth surfaces, the SLR is almost glued to the road, tracking absolutely on-center with precise steering. Above 140 mph, it feels lighter and lighter, requiring more attention and correction.

Standard equipment includes leather-upholstered carbon-fiber bucket seats, dual-zone air conditioning, and a Bose premium sound system with integrated navigation system. There are also front, side, and knee airbags, as well as seatbelt tensioners and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren's ungodly performance is matched by few cars. Lamborghini's V-12-powered Murcielago comes close and offers all-wheel drive to boot. The Porsche 911 Turbo can also be ordered in a roadster form, while the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 promises to be the fastest, most expensive Corvette ever when it goes on sale next year.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren rips off racetrack runs like a Ferrari -- at a similar pricetag.

TheCarConnection.com's car experts read road tests from the most reputable sources to compile this definitive review of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. TheCarConnection.com's resident enthusiasts also drove the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and have added their driving impressions and more details, where they bring you better information and help you decide which reviews to trust when opinions differ. Likes:Space Shuttle-style thrustRoadster versionUtter exclusivityDislikes:Somewhat jittery handlingLeftover cockpit switches and gaugesDo you have $400,000 to spare?Buying Tips: Pray for winning lottery tickets--and luck. Mercedes-Benz will not build many more SLR McLarens, and the price tag ensures its exclusivity. The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an utterly outrageous, unbelievably fast supercar with a huge price tag to match--this year, it's also a convertible. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren gets its interstellar power from a big V-8 displacing 5.4 liters. Horsepower peaks at 617, as does the sound and fury that comes when it's pushed. Coupled to AMG's Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, the roadster hits 62 mph from a standing start in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is a claimed 207 mph, and fuel economy is suitably dismal at 12/16 mpg. The shape is something like a wasp-waisted Mercedes version of the Corvette, and that's no backhand compliment. It's beautifully executed in person, though the interior is a bit of a letdown. There's the cool Start button hidden under a perforated cover--but the SLR's gauges could have come out of the much cheaper Benz SLK. If you're spending $400,000, you want more than just the basic tach, speedo, water temp, and fuel gauges. The newly added roadster version has a fully retractable roof, designed to blend with the SLR's smooth body. To open the roof, you must unlock it from the windshield frame, after which it folds away automatically. The semi-automatic roof will open or close in 10 seconds. The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR handles with the extreme precision required from a car that can shoot past 200 mph. On smooth surfaces, the SLR is almost glued to the road, tracking absolutely on-center with precise steering. Above 140 mph, it feels lighter and lighter, requiring more attention and correction. Standard equipment includes leather-upholstered carbon-fiber bucket seats, dual-zone air conditioning, and a Bose premium sound system with integrated navigation system. There are also front, side, and knee airbags, as well as seatbelt tensioners and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, also consider:Lamborghini MurcielagoPorsche 911 TurboChevrolet Corvette ZR1Reason Why:The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren's ungodly performance is matched by few cars. Lamborghini's V-12-powered Murcielago comes close and offers all-wheel drive to boot. The Porsche 911 Turbo can also be ordered in a roadster form, while the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 promises to be the fastest, most expensive Corvette ever when it goes on sale next year. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren rips off racetrack runs like a Ferrari -- at a similar pricetag. TheCarConnection.com's car experts read road tests from the most reputable sources to compile this definitive review of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. TheCarConnection.com's resident enthusiasts also drove the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and have added their driving impressions and more ...

Other Choices:

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren's ungodly performance is matched by few cars. Lamborghini's V-12-powered Murcielago comes close and offers all-wheel drive to boot. The Porsche 911 Turbo can also be ordered in a roadster form, while the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 promises to be the fastest, most expensive Corvette ever when it goes on sale next year.

Next Steps:

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See the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Sher #1, Posted: 7/7/2008

    Love your site

    Just wanted to let you know your site is great. Very informative

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