2009 Mercedes Slr Mclaren Roadster Spotted in Canary Island

It was in the year 1999 when Mercedes-Benz has presented its “Vision SLR” superscar concepts. One is a convertible while the other had a roof. The Vision SLR coupe eventually was developed and became the insanely fast and highly priced SLR McLaren coupe which was built in partnership with McLaren Cars. Now after four years into its product cycle, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are planning of giving their SLR coupe a droptop playmate which will be called the SLR McLaren roadster.

Spotted in the Canary Islands on a photo shoot reveals the SLR McLaren roadster prototype that will spawn one of only a handful of droptops that would break the 200 mph barrier and would become hopefully as one of the fastest open-topped automobile ever sold in this country by a major manufacturer when it reached our shores next year as a 2009 model. The SLR roadster appears pretty much identical to the current SLR McLaren coupe in terms of its long-nose proportions and front-and-rear styling.

The SLR McLaren roadster is equipped with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and carbob-fiber body panels, similar to the hardtop. A fabric top instead of a folding hardtop will be fitted on the SLR coupe to cut cost. The SLR McLaren roadster will also be equipped with quality Mercedes components starting from big components down to the smallest Mercedes wheel bearing. Mercedes bearings are important in keeping vehicle always on track.

The SLR McLaren coupe has scissors-fly doors however it is not yet clear whether the roadster will employ the same type of door. Sportscar enthusiasts are hoping that the roadster will also sport some cool doors since its sibling coupe has such hip butterfly doors.

The SLR McLaren roadster is design to provide utmost performance and power courtesy of a 617-hp, 5.4 liter supercharged V8 with 575 pound-feet of torque. The same potent engine will power the SLR hardtop and enables it to sprint to60 mph in just a matter of 3.6 seconds and reach top speed at 207 mph when given enough asphalt to drive on. However it would be more thrilling if the roadster is to be offered in an intensified 641 hp “722” guise like the coupe. This is actually more fitting especially since the original No. 722, which is a 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR racer was also a roadster.

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR racer was driven by Stirling Moss who drove the roadster to victory in the Mille Miglia for three consecutive years. The price of the most awaited SLR Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster will likely be 10 percent higher than the $455,750 cost of the SLR coupe.