12 Jan 09 12:05
The unveiling of the Mercedes-McLaren SLR Stirling Moss was a high point of opening day's events at Detroit.
The new speedster named in tribute to British race ace Sir Stirling Moss, who still holds the record for the Mille Miglia road race - ten hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds for the 1,000-mile cross-country dash across Italy. This retro-looking SLR is in the spirit of his 1950s SLR 300 racer.
It's all-modern in its technology, however. The 2009-edition SLR Stirling Moss has a body made entirely of carbon fibre, and those rear air scoops double as rollover hoops.
It's considerably stiffer, stronger and safer than the 1955 original. Enhancements over the contemporary SLR coupe and roadster include a larger diffuser, to give extra downforce.
Spectacular styling touches include the 'swing-wing' doors, which open upwards and forwards, and the lack of a roof emphasises the immensely long bonnet.
Two tonneau covers are provided for emergency wet-weather cover or for in the garage, and the interior - stripped back to the bare necessities - is finished in carbon fibre, aluminium and leather with a numbered, signed aluminium plaque by the gearshift lever.
Fitted with a supercharged, 650bhp V8, the SLR Stirling Moss promises 0-62mph in less than 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 217mph. And not only is it fast, it's fittingly exclusive; just 75 will be made, priced at £670,000.
Mercedes says this car 'rounds off the current SLR family'. Production of the standard SLR will come to an end in late May 2009, with this final-run edition in production June-December. Mercedes says it is, 'for the foreseeable future, at least, the final curtain for the SLR'.
Check out the rest of our Detroit Motor Show coverage.
