Legend and sophistication are hallmark characteristics epitomised by the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an impressive testament to the competence and experience of Mercedes-Benz and our Formula 1 partner McLaren in the development and production of high-performance sports cars. The newly developed V8 supercharged engine delivers an output of 460 kW/626 hp and accelerates the sports car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The top speed is approximately 334 km/h. The body of the new SLR, like those of the Mercedes-McLaren Formula 1 race cars, is made from carbon fibre composites - lightweight materials which demonstrate exemplary energy absorption, hence ensuring the highest standard of occupant protection. The SLR is the world's first series-produced car to have a front crash structure manufactured entirely from carbon fibres. The 21st-century Gran Turismo is made almost entirely from carbon fibre composite. This lightweight yet extremely rigid material originated in the aeronautical and space industries and has also proven its benefits in today's Formula 1 race cars.
The weight advantage of the high-tech material over steel is around 50 percent, and the carbon fibres, on impact, are characterised by four to five times higher energy absorption than steel or aluminium. Mercedes-Benz exploits these qualities by incorporating two 620-millimetre longitudinal members made from carbon fibre in the front structure of the new SLR. These absorb the entire energy of the crash in a defined head-on collision, leaving the passenger cell largely undamaged. It is also made entirely from carbon fibre composite and therefore offers a very safe survival zone in side-on or rear-end collisions too. Mercedes-Benz has introduced new material technology to the manufacture of the brake discs too. They are made from fibre-reinforced ceramic and are characterised by high fade-resistance and a very long life. In collaboration with the electrohydraulic braking system, Sensotronic Brake Control (SMC), they allow outstanding deceleration figures too, impressively underlining the motor racing heritage of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. In the interests of optimum dynamic handling and high stability on braking, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a front mid-engined design.
We didn't cross the solar system in the S63, but we did load the family and take it on a long weekend trip to Palm Springs. As expected, the massive trunk swallowed our luggage like a black hole and the kids found that they were unable to even reach the seatbacks in front of them without unfastening their belts. Room to spare is an understatement. On the open highway, theMercedes devoured miles of pavement effortlessly. At 70 mph, the engine barely raised its pulse while effective noise insulation and thick laminated glass kept the outside world hushed. The Distronic cruise control was amazingly effective - it automatically monitors the other vehicle in the lane and controls throttle and brakes (both acceleration and deceleration) in heavy traffic without driver input. While steering is still required, Distronic makes it possible to cross the entire Los Angeles basin mid-day without ever lifting both feet flat off the plush carpet.
This is the future. To give the S63 AMG a bit of a challenge, we decided to climb from the Palm Springs desert basin at sea level up California State Route 74 (part of the Pines to Palms Scenic Byway) to Idyllwild. The route is tough, as it gains more than 5,000 feet of elevation passing through the San Jacinto Mountains. The scenery is breathtaking, and the first section has a nice selection of sweeping corners. Once again, the big sedan brushed it off without breaking a sweat. The hand-built twin-turbocharged V8 threw gobs of torque down on the pavement without noticing the elevation gain, the exhaust growled and the tires held firm. During our week with the bigBenz, we really appreciated its unflappable powertrain. Though it was a bit thirsty around town (EPA 15 mpg city / 22 mpg highway), its power-to-weight ratio made us completely forget that the vehicle weighs two-and-a-half tons.
The suspension was magnificent, and the interior room welcomed. The Splitview DVD screen is a must-have option (watch our ShortCut video for a demonstration), and the temperature-controlled massaging seats were wondrous. Nitpicking here, but we weren't really fond of the wood steering wheel. It gets very hot in the sun and slippery if you are the type that gets sweaty hands while driving. The paddle shifters are also a bit goofy on a vehicle of this size, even if it does wear AMG badging. Our GPS-equipped radar detector was frustrated attempting to capture a signal through the metallic laminateMercedes uses to defrost the front glass and the aging COMAND infotainment/navigation joystick interface is still a bit cumbersome, despite a week's worth of familiarization. The S63 AMG isn't atmospherically pressurized, but it does circle the globe in a very unique orbit - almost untouched by its competition. ThePorsche Panamera Turbo S is quicker and more agile, but its four-place cabin is much smaller and focused on a different mission. TheBMW Alpina B7 is performance-tuned but short on amenities, while theJaguar XJ Supersport is big on luxury, but still short on power. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a worthy foil, but it's more expensive even before piling on the options. The competition should be pleased to know thatMercedes-Benz doesn't sell very many of these capable sedans. While the S550 is the volume model, the S63 AMG accounts for just over five percent of S-Class sales - it is every bit as rare as it is rapid. Comparing the sportyBenz to a future spacecraft isn't as much of a stretch as you may think. The engineering team in Stuttgart developed the W221 platform to comfortably exceed human requirements for long-distance travel and AMG tuned it to get the job done with blazing speed. While the 2012Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG may not be properly configured for interplanetary transport, we can think of few vehicles that are as swift and luxurious for voyaging across the surface of our planet.
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