McLaren is marking 20 years for the reason that 2003 debut of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with a spread of actions on the McLaren Know-how Centre (MTC) in Woking, UK. Born out of a Components 1-inspired collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the pioneering super-GT is a novel chapter within the McLaren story. The actions on the McLaren Know-how Centre mirror this, recognizing not solely the automobile but additionally the individuals who introduced it to life, a powerful variety of whom are nonetheless with McLaren.

4 examples of the grand tourer designed and engineered to supercar requirements – an SLR Stirling Moss, an SLR by MSO, an SLR HDK, and the SLR 722 GT Prototype – have been showcased on the MTC Boulevard, alongside objects from the automobile’s improvement story. A go to to MTC by the SLR Membership – a global group of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren homeowners – added additional colour to the occasions, with the lovers assembly a number of the McLaren staff that labored on the undertaking to rejoice 20 years of the automobile.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren undertaking was introduced on the 1999 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, with affirmation that McLaren would accomplice with Mercedes-Benz to take the Mercedes-Benz SLR Imaginative and prescient idea proven earlier that 12 months on the Detroit Auto Present from present stand to the highway, as a full manufacturing automobile developed below the identify of ‘Mission 7’. McLaren and Mercedes-Benz have been companions in Components 1 between 1995 to 2009, throughout which McLaren gained 4 Components 1 World Championships (Constructors’ Champions in 1998, Drivers’ Champions in 1998, 1999, and 2008). This successful mixture of McLaren chassis improvement and carbon fiber expertise with Mercedes engine energy can be replicated for homeowners of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

The primary Mission 7 prototype was constructed by a staff of ex-Components 1 McLaren mechanics who then joined with automotive engineers to type the core staff that will take the automobile into manufacturing, as the primary automobile to be hand-assembled on the then-newly opened MTC. The form and styling of the automobile have been saved as near Mercedes’ necessities – and the design expressed by the Imaginative and prescient SLR idea – as potential. This was solely realized by ground-breaking engineering, leveraging McLaren’s experience in carbon fiber composites discovered by many years of expertise in Components 1 and the McLaren F1 highway automobile.

Allied to the revolutionary carbon fiber developments was a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 developed by Mercedes-AMG, producing 626PS and 780Nm of torque. Driving the rear wheels by way of a five-speed computerized transmission, the efficiency of the front-mid engined super-GT greater than matched as much as the supercars of the period, with 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and a most velocity of 208mph.

Manufacturing of the automobile that started its life as Mission 7 resulted in December 2009, however this didn’t finish McLaren’s involvement with the automobile. In 2010, the newly created McLaren Particular Operations (MSO) launched the McLaren Version SLR, an enhancement package deal for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren created by invaluable suggestions from SLR homeowners and MSO prospects. This model of the SLR, restricted to only 25 examples, featured vital bodywork alterations with the adoption of a brand new, aerodynamically sculpted entrance apron with a bigger entrance splitter, new aspect intakes, a bigger rear wing, and a revised rear diffuser, in addition to lighter wheels. Alongside the adjustments, McLaren Particular Operations revised the suspension and energy steering help.

Subsequently, MSO developed additional enhancement and redesign packages. In 2019, MSO launched the SLR by MSO – a brand new complete improve program pushed by suggestions from homeowners within the decade for the reason that automobile went out of manufacturing. A brand new aerodynamic package deal mixed with new weight-saving measures and new luxurious appointments, corresponding to particular quilted leather-based upholstery. These can be found as a complete package deal or as particular person components.

In Might 2023, MSO accomplished the client handover of the very first SLR Excessive Downforce Package (HDK) conversions. These vehicles include bodywork alterations instantly impressed by the 722 GT racer, a track-going model of the automobile. With the car’s monitor elevated by 60mm entrance and rear, the HDK vehicles have an much more imposing stance, emphasised by a large physique package with flared wheel arches and a rear wing impressed by the one fitted to the McLaren F1 GTR. Weight is additional lowered and exhaust quantity is elevated with the deletion of silencers from an exhaust system that options massive, single exits on each side of the automobile. MSO will produce 12 SLR HDKs, all of which have already been bought.