Maisto Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

I did not think I would be buying another Mercedes model soon but when I saw how beautiful this Mercedes SLR McLaren was I could not resist buying it. It's 1:18 scale out of Maisto's Premier collection of die cast models. It makes me think of a Great White shark, big and powerful ready to annihilate anything in it's path. Compared to my other 1:18 cars it's quite a large vehicle. The detail is also very nice and I love the blue color. With only about 3500 'real' SLR's made I'm sure one day this will a very collectible car. What I love about this car: The loooong nose, side intakes and of course the wheels. The SLR got a very long nose. Grand-daddy with Grand-son, 50 years apart. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe & Racecar of 1955, which was a modified Mercedes-Benz W196 F1 race car. It was introduced on 17 November 2003. On 4 April 2008, Mercedes announced that they would cease production of the SLR. The SLR sports a 232 kg (510 lb) hand-built 5,439 cc (5.439 L; 331.9 cu in), supercharged, all-aluminium, SOHC, V8 engine. The cylinders are angled at 90 degrees with three valves per cylinder and lubricated via a dry sump system. The compression ratio is 8.8:1 and the bore and stroke is 97 mm × 92 mm (3.8 in × 3.6 in). The Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger rotates at 23,000 rpm and produces 0.9 bar (13 psi) of boost. The compressed air is then cooled via two intercoolers. Car and Driver achieved a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.4 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds at 130 mph (210 km/h) C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were lower.

Meanwhile, downsizing and technologies such as the Stop/Start system contribute to extraordinary fuel efficiency in the petrol-powered versions. Pioneering here is the 1.4 TSI (90 kW / 122 PS); in the BlueMotion Technology version, it only consumes 5.8 l/100 km. The equivalent CO2 value is 138 g/km. New safety features: Volkswagen is making genuine progress in the area of safety. The previous model already attained an impressive five stars in Euro-NCAP crash testing. The new model takes safety to a new level with features such as an automatic City emergency braking function and, on Comfortline models and above, a standard fatigue detection function. As a component of the optional automatic ACC adaptive cruise control system, in worst case scenarios the emergency braking function reacts independently at speeds below 30 km/h. So, it can help prevent frontal collisions. Another new feature on the Volkswagen Passat: the continually active masked main beam headlights known as Dynamic Light Assist; this is the same system as the one first introduced on the new Touareg. Dynamic Light Assist - an option offered in conjunction with bi-xenon headlights - enables continual use of the main beam headlights while driving.

Via a camera, the system detects oncoming traffic and cars driving ahead and automatically masks only those lighting areas relevant to glare. The results: improved illumination of the carriageway in nearly all situations. The VW Passat is the first car in its class to have this system. For vehicles with conventional halogen headlights, a simpler version of automatic main beam control is available: Light Assist. A camera is also used here, e.g. to detect oncoming traffic. But the system switches over completely between main beam and dipped beam. As soon as there is no more oncoming traffic, the main beam is reactivated. The XDS electronic transverse differential lock - first introduced on the Golf GTI - improves traction in bends. Innovative convenience systems: Other new assistance systems are essentially convenience oriented, and they significantly simplify everyday driving. They include Easy Open: If the new VW Passat saloon is equipped with Keyless Access (automatic locking and engine starting system), a specific foot motion behind the vehicle is sufficient to cause the boot lid to open.

Anyone who has stood next to a car with both hands full knows know helpful a function like Easy Open can be. Naturally, the boot lid only opens for someone who is carrying the proper RF identification fob for the Passat. The human-machine interface here is a sensor located in the bumper area. Also new in the Volkswagen Passat: The rear seat system that can be unlatched from the bootspace, a towbar that can be made to swivel out at the press of a button and side windows in noise-dampening compound safety glass. Volkswagen is visualising the model series' quality and precision more appreciably than ever in the new VW Passat. Straight lines, cleanly sculpted surfaces and dynamic proportions characterise the styling of the seventh generation car. Styling takes a great leap forward in the bestseller. The results: traditional class boundaries are once again shaken. The entirely new front-end design gives the Volkswagen Passat - now 1,820 mm wide and 4,769 mm (Estate: 4,771 mm) long - an even more dominant look.

Although the car has not grown in width, it has a greater presence and more visual dynamism. The heights of the two body versions also remained constant (saloon: 1,474 mm; Estate: 1,519 mm). The dominant expression of the VW Passat is reinforced by its new dual-reflector headlights with optional bi-xenon light source and its LED daytime running lights. Each daytime running light consists of 15 LEDs. Beneath the lines formed by the headlights and grille is the body-coloured bumper section. The next level down sports another air intake framed by chrome-plated fins - as stylised elements similar to the wing tips of commercial aircraft. The very low profile fog lights are integrated here. On the Highline equipment line, another chrome trim strip at the centre of the air intake joins the fins. At the lowest level, there is the front spoiler. As on motorsport cars, it is designed as a so-called splitter.