Frankfurt Auto Show Update: Mercedes Reveals SLR McLaren

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept 8, 2003: Reuters reported that Germany's DaimlerChrysler took the wraps off its super sports car, the Formula-One inspired Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and warned onlookers to hold onto their cheque books. The elite two-seater racer with characteristic swing doors will go on sale for 375,000 euros.

Mercedes chief Juergen Hubbert unveiled a sleek black version of the driving machine that will compete with Ferrari, Bugatti and high-end Porsches.

"The new SLR is an impressive testimony to the competence and experience of Mercedes-Benz and our Formula One partner McLaren in developing and building high-performance sports cars," said Hubbert at an event ahead of the Frankfurt autoshow.

Mercedes, which warned wide-eyed onlookers ahead of the unveiling to put their cheque books away, will build only about 500 SLRs a year.

The sportscar, which with its V8 supercharged engine can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers an hour in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of about 334 kilometers an hour, draws on the tradition of Mercedes-Benz's involvement in motor racing and in particular the 300 SLR from the 1950s.

While the racer will make sports car lovers drool, it is viewed by analysts as a brand enhancing project rather than a vehicle that will drive Mercedes profits higher.