Mercedes-Benz will end production of its SLR supercar at the end of next year, a new report finds. The coupe version of the SLR ended production rather quietly at the end of last year, and the last SLR roadster is slated to roll off the assembly floor in 2009 — ending the car’s five year production run.
Production of the SLR hit 275 units last year — 14 more than in 2006 — but that figure is still far short of Mercedes-Benz’s original plan to build 400-500 cars per year.
The SLR was co-developed between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz, but both automakers will be parting ways once the last SLR is built.
It is believed that McLaren is developing a new V8 supercar under the codename P11. The P11 will reportedly slot in (in size) between the Audi TT and R8 and is intended to do battle with the Ferrari 430 and Porsche GT2. Despite the divorce from Mercedes on future supercars, the P11 will likely use a Mercedes-sourced 6.3L V8.
Mercedes-Benz is currently working on the SLR’s successor — the SLC – but will instead develop the new car with AMG and H.W.A. Little is known about the SLC — including the vehicle’s powertrain — but sources have indicated the new car will sport a retractable hard top. But with production of the SLR ending next year, it’s possible that Mercedes could have its next supercar to market much sooner than expected.
04/02, 4:54 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
One of my best memories of ‘07 is wangling a ride in a Roadster. Sweet!
04/02, 5:14 PM
posted by:
LaCaLover
It was just never very good looking, and the little boys that like that kind of flash styling couldn’t afford it.
jackjimturkey who did you “wangle” to get the ride?
04/02, 5:24 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
My barber has one of these in coupe guise and I don’t care what anyone says that car is badass.
04/02, 6:07 PM
posted by:
xkr
I rather have a DBS for that coin, to much flash
04/02, 6:11 PM
posted by:
G
Your *barber* has one of these?
Or is he a stylist in Hollywood for the stars? Or a stylist in Manhattan … for the aristocracy?
04/02, 6:22 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
No he is actually a local barber who owns the whole plaza his shop is in among other things, I’m not sure how he came about his wealth but hes got close to 30 really nice cars!
04/02, 8:08 PM
posted by:
Astonman12
always loved the SLR McLaren. I love the roadster even more than the coupe, which is weird for me, im usually a coupe guy. hopefully the SLC will be pretty dominant.
04/03, 12:28 AM
posted by:
carbonsigma
Is there supposed to be a Gullwing Merc coming out some time in the future, or would that be the SLC? I doubt the SLC will sell if it costs as much as the SLR did.
04/03, 4:47 AM
posted by:
peter g
I always loved the sound of it!
04/03, 8:08 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
I think HWA was supposed to develop the original SLR, but it went to McLaren, curious to see what they come up with. Many lessons learned with the SLR.
04/03, 1:50 PM
posted by:
Get Real
What will happen when these cars age and all that Carbon Fiber starts disintegrating ???
04/03, 1:55 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
When the SLR coupe first came out, Merc expected sales of 500 a year for 7 years, and no roadster was even planned.
I think Merc proved that it’s gonna have to come up with someting special to sell 3500 of any $500k car….
04/04, 2:42 AM
posted by:
brocky
Mercedes needs to realize the “passion” people look for in a car. And having an automatic gearbox certainly doesn’t help.
04/04, 6:11 AM
posted by:
E60M5
It sounds ****ing amazing but its seriously overpriced
@ scarface if it was schduled for 7 years then thah means that production would have had to start in 02-09.
@ F3INT))AP3X how much does your barber charge for a haircut.
I too would have a DBS
04/04, 1:15 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
Production started when it did, but the fact that the 7-year production run with no roadster ended up being a 5-year run, with a roadster, and a 722 edition, just goes to show that demand wound down quicker than Merc thought. Merc tried to revive interest with the roadster and 722 special edition, but it wasn’t enough to keep the model going.