Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss: A Modern Classic

Motoring Channel Staff - 22/December/2008

Detroit, America – Before Mercedes-Benz launches its next generation Gullwing super car in 2010, the replacement for the current SLR McLaren, it will launch this: a classically styled speedster with a 350km/h top speed.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is named after the British motor racing legend who drove the famous SLR race cars in the 1950s.

Mercedes-Benz' SLR Stirling Moss edition will mark the end of an era for the SLR model, and unlike the roadster and coupe versions of the supercharged V8 monster, it has no roof, no windscreen but lots of attitude.

There are a couple of tonneau covers that keep the interior from getting rained on when not in use, but other than that the design is all about form rather than function.

Mirroring the classic speedsters of the 50s and paying homage to Stirling Moss's victories in races such as the Mille Miglia (an open road endurance race that created many sports car legends), the new model is a sight for sore eyes.

According to Mercedes, "The SLR Stirling Moss sports an exciting, pronounced arrow-shaped form and is characterised by an elongated bonnet and a compact, muscular rear."

The blacked-out ventilation 'gills' sit facet-like on the sides, says Mercedes, whose new beast will cost €750,000 ($1,500,000) and will only be available to customers who have previously bought the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren cars.

People with lots of money, in other words.

Only 75 of these breathtakingly expensive vehicles will be built from June 2009, after the current SLR ceases production in May 2009.

Boasting a style that is altogether unique, with new look headlamps, LED brake lights, side pipes, and of course the lack of a roof or windscreen, the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is powered by a supercharged AMG V8 engine that outputs 478kW (650hp) 

The ultra-long sports car is also ultra-quick, able to fire from zero to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 350km/h (217mph).

According to Mercedes, this makes the SLR Stirling Moss the fastest series-production roofless car on the planet.

It also features exotic swing-wing doors as the images show and aerodynamics have been looked into.

Mercedes-Benz says that the common denominator uniting the Stirling Moss with the other members of the SLR family is the aerodynamic concept of a closed underbody and a diffuser in the rear apron for maximum possible downforce at the rear axle. 

Albeit with one difference: the diffuser on the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is considerably larger than that on the coupé and roadster.

Race track outings will be the main use of these 75 rare vehicles, and due to the high-precision work carried out in the wind tunnel, the SLR Stirling Moss always generates sufficient downforce for extremely safe handling says the German car maker. 

However the driver does have override controls to manually operate the 'AirBrake' in order to increase the downforce and also improve braking capabilities.

The interior is not overflowing with the usual Mercedes luxury options, but the classically finished leather sports seats fit in with its overall style.

The controls are minimal but this works in the vehicle's favour highlighting its main purpose: the pursuit of speed. 

Biggles-inspired leather hood and goggles are advised during operation of the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss.

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