Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are adding the crowning glory to the model family of their highly successful SLR super sports car with a new, uncompromisingly spectacular car. There is neither a roof nor a windscreen to separate the driver and passenger from the outside world; they enjoy unadulterated high-speed excitement with all the attributes of a speedster. The new SLR Stirling Moss is also characterised by the most sophisticated technology and a breathtaking design which reinterprets the SLR legend. With 478 kW/650 hp the SLR Stirling Moss accelerates its V8 supercharged engine from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 350 km/h - no other series-production car is at the same time so open and so fast. This extreme concept makes the new high-performance sports car a legitimate bearer of the name of the British motor racing legend and Mille Miglia record-holder Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR racing cars from victory to victory in 1955. The exclusive SLR Stirling Moss rounds off the current SLR family and is limited to 75 units. It is priced at 750,000 euros. The SLR Roadster will cease to be manufactured at the end of May 2009 as planned, and production of the SLR Stirling Moss will commence in June 2009.

Three letters are all it takes to make car fans hearts beat faster: SLR. In the 1950s the Mercedes-Benz SLR 300 celebrated victory after victory. It won the Mille Miglia, the Eifel race, the Targa Florio as well as the Tourist Trophy. It was driven by the stars of the time: Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling - and, first and foremost, by the British racing driver Stirling Moss. At ten hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds he still holds the Mille Miglia record. This is why the modern-day version of the legendary SLR carries the additional words Stirling Moss in its name. As the new SLR Stirling Moss unites the character of the current SLR models with the fascination of the SLR of 1955. The core values of both the historical and the present-day SLR models include an exciting new design, innovative technology, high-class materials displaying perfect craftsmanship, and, above all: a unique driving experience for all the senses.

Highly puristic concept without a roof or a windscreen

Remaining totally true to the specifications of the 300 SLR, the new Silver Arrows equipment is extremely sophisticated and yet at the same time decidedly puristic, doing without both a roof and side windows. There are just two wind deflectors a couple of centimetres in height to protect the driver and passenger from the airflow. Two air scoops integrated into the bodywork serve as roll-over bars. With this extreme concept the new SLR Stirling Moss is visually very different from all the other vehicles which belong to the elite sports car class.

Just like the legendary racing vehicles of yesteryear, the SLRStirling Moss dazzles with its superlative performance. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h this puristic high-performance sports car denotes completely new dimensions in open-top driving. And not just because of the impressive performance figures; every time drivers take to the wheel of the SLR Stirling Moss their senses are addressed with a previously unheard of intensity, conveying a driving experience in its purest and most sensual form. This automotive thoroughbred thus facilitates the kind of open-air feeling that is utterly unique for a road-going vehicle.

Exciting design reminiscent of the SLR racing cars

The SLR Stirling Moss, its entire bodywork made of lightweight carbon fibre, represents a stand-alone design concept. Whilst the Mercedes-Benz designers were working on the body of the new SLRStirling Moss, they were fully aware every single moment that they were creating a vehicle with a top speed of 350 km/h. At the same time this supreme athlete is highly reminiscent of the SLRracing cars from the 1950s, whose design idiom still never fails to impress to this day.
The SLR Stirling Moss sports an exciting, pronounced arrow-shaped form and is characterised by an elongated bonnet and a compact, muscular rear. As there is no windscreen, the exterior and interior flow smoothly into one. The bonnet also stretches from its striking tip right down into the interior, giving the vehicle body a distinctly sleek air. Even when standing still, the sports car radiates such dynamism that the observer immediately falls under its spell.

Further eye-catching features include two air scoops behind the driver and passenger. They carry additional roll-over bars, also uniting the traditional and the modern. The wings are powerfully contoured. Black-painted ventilation gills sitting facet-like on the sides and on the bonnet also cite the legend. A thrilling interplay of light and shadow ensues through the expressive lines, underlining the dynamic overall impression. Exactly as they were on the shining historical example, the side skirts on the new SLR Stirling Moss are also very high. This prompted the designers decision in favour of folding swing-wing doors which open forwards.

The vehicle can be closed by two tonneau covers which are carried in the boot. When both tonneau covers and the doors are closed the SLR Stirling Moss resembles a sculpture.

In keeping with the puristic exterior of the vehicle, the interior is also reduced to the bare essentials. Surfaces penetrating each other in the instrument panel and doors make for an exciting atmosphere and resonate perfectionism. A mixture of high-class authentic materials such as carbon fibre, aluminium and fine-quality leather sets the style here. An aluminium plate carries the engraved signature of Stirling Moss and covers the area around the shift lever.

Innovative technology and polished aerodynamic concept

Developers working on the Stirling Moss were able to fall back on a wealth of experience gathered when producing the SLR Coup and Roadster, in particular where the technical base was concerned, with its extravagant carbon-fibre design, high-performance suspension and throaty V8 engine. The common denominator uniting the Stirling Moss with the other members of the SLR family is the aerodynamic concept with a closed underbody and a diffuser in the rear bumper for maximum possible downforce at the rear axle - with one difference: the diffuser here is considerably larger than that on the coup and roadster.

Thanks to the high-precision work carried out in the wind tunnel, the SLR Stirling Moss always generates sufficient downforce for extremely safe handling. But the driver can also manually operate the Airbrake in order to increase the contact pressure further, during particularly sporty driving, for example. The Airbrake is also raised during powerful braking at speeds above 120 km/h, so as to stabilise the vehicle even more in such situations, thus facilitating maximum possible deceleration.

Limited to 75 units - the SLR models crowning glory

The new SLR Stirling Moss is the kind of high-calibre speedster coveted by the enthusiasts alike. At the same time it marks the pinnacle of an era and, for the foreseeable future, at least, the final curtain for the SLR. In May 2009 production of the SLR models will cease; only a total of 75 units of the Stirling Moss will be manufactured between June and December 2009, bearing chassis numbers from 1 to 75. Not only does this exclusive vehicle represent the conclusion of the current SLR family; it also serves as a very special thank you to the most loyal of SLR customers, for they are the only ones able to acquire a Stirling Moss.

German media is reporting Mercedes-AMG has set its sights on introducing a successor for the SLR around 2018.

According to Auto Bild, Daimler’s performance division is currently contemplating whether the engine should sit in the front like in the last SLR or make the switch to a mid-engined layout. The coupe will be the first to see the light of day and then followed by a roadster and the flagship Black Series model.

The report goes on to specify that if it will be front-engined, the SLR will come with a turbocharged V6 engine working with an electric motor to deliver a combined output of 650 PS (478 kW). It would also have active aerodynamic body parts and a “new door concept." If this one will get the stamp of approval, the plan is to make 3,000 cars per year at €250,000 - 300,000 a pop.

The other scenario depicts a mid-engined SLR making extensive use of carbon fiber and powered by a turbo V8 teamed up with dual electric motors generating a total of 1,050 PS (772 kW). This one would represent a rival for the McLaren P1, LaFerrari, and Porsche 918 Spyder trio. If this will be green-lighted, it’ll be limited to 500 - 750 units and carry an estimated starting price of more than €1 million.

Do you still remember the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren? In our hearts, it remains one of the most, if not the most, beautiful and potent grand tourers of the previous decade. Developed in cooperation between Mercedes and McLaren, it was discontinued in 2010 after 2,157 units produced. It was a nod to the legendary 300 SLR from the 1950s and was simply stunning.

These days, Mercedes is busy with many different vehicles, including hot hatches, new flagship limos, and, of course, tons of SUVs. The German manufacturer is even planning a hardcore Black Series version of the AMG GT supercar, but we haven’t heard anything about a revival of the SLR.

Well, that doesn’t mean we can’t imagine one, right? To help us with that task, designer studio Invisie, which we already featured on our pages with the amazing Mercedes C01 concept rendering, has presented a detailed virtual drawing of a new SLR. And, dare we say, it looks like a real vehicle that’s already on production.

The design takes the traditional shapes of the SLR and develops them even further. You can easily see the rear overhang is even shorter here which gives the car a menacing stance. The front end is probably a bit too busy, but still perfectly matches the overall conception of the design.

One very interesting detail is the exhaust system which features side pipes just like the previous SLR. That’s one of the most recognizable and distinctive features of the supercar which is cleverly interpreted in this rendering.

One can only speculate what could power such a car, but, if you let us, we’d like to do it. Mercedes currently has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that’s capable of producing a lot of power and that could be a good option. If you add an electric motor to this, you’ll have an SLR that’s both faithful to its predecessors and up to date with its rivals.

Over a decade later, the Silver-Starred McLaren is far more accessible than its contemporaries.

The next round of hypercars – like the Valkyrie and AMG One – are going to be ridiculously expensive. And the last round of hybrids are still trading hands for mega bucks. So if you don't have millions to spend, but are still dead-set on putting a top-shelf supercar in your driveway, you could either go a little down-market – to something like a Lamborghini Aventador or Ferrari 812 Superfast– or go back a few years to one of the flagships launched in the previous decade. And we're here to make the case for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

Around 2002-2003, Ferrari launched the Enzo, Porsche rolled out the Carrera GT, and Mercedes parlayed its Formula One partnership with McLaren to produce the SLR. The resulting machine was somewhat compromised between Stuttgart's taste for luxury and Woking's penchant performance, but it was still one of the most exotic supercars ever to wear the Silver Star.

Its 5.4-liter supercharged V8 was good for 617 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque – more than the SLS that followed or any version of the AMG GT to date – (regrettably) mated to a five-speed automatic, and nestled in the front half of a carbon monocoque chassis.

Though not as focused as its contemporaries, the SLR could still rocket to 60 mph in the low threes and cross continents at upwards of 200 mph (conditions and laws permitting). It was also produced in far greater numbers: 2,157 examples, all told – nearly twice that of the Porsche, and over five times as many as the Ferrari. But the upshot is that, over a decade later, SLRs are far more accessible on the second-hand market. Where a Carrera GT will set you back around $700k and an Enzo upwards of a million, you can pick up an SLR for around $300k.

A bit more for some of the rarer evolutions of the species that followed, like the 722 or the Stirling Moss speedster. But RM Sotheby's estimates this 2006 coupe, with 5,400 miles on the clock, will sell for $250-300k when it crosses the block in Scottsdale next month. That's about as much as you'd pay for a new (and far more ubiquitous) Ferrari 488 or Lamborghini Huracan. But even with a couple thousand made, you're less likely to encounter another SLR on the road... and the Benz is bound to appreciate to greater value. (Photos by Patrick Ernzen for RM Sotheby's.)