Mercedes-Benz and McLaren developing Audi R8 killer?

We first sent you pictures of a developmental prototype for the upcoming SLS, and now we have an artist’s interpretation of what the “baby” supercar is expected to look like.

Mercedes / McLaren plans to sell as many as 2000 (probably named) SLS models a year to rival the likes of the Ferrari 360 Modena, Lamborghini Gallardo and all new Audi R8.

Although McLaren engineers are remaining tight-lipped about the project, we’ve learned that feasibility studies are currently being carried out on the car at one of Mercedes’ secret test-centres in Germany.

McLaren is hoping to use carbon fiber construction for the new car, although there are doubts about the economic viability of using the material for a car with a projected price tag of about 150,000 Euros.

Sources wouldn't be budged on whether the new car, thought to be code-named P8, will have a three-seat arrangement similar to that of the F1, but equally our source doggedly refused to confirm the new car as a conventional two-seater. One possibility is that the third seat would be mounted centrally towards the rear, the reverse of the F1's layout. It will be mid-engined though, partly to make it distinct from the front-engined Mercedes SLR McLaren.

And it’s already certain that the car will have to be built by Mercedes, as McLaren's new Woking factory is tied up producing the SLR and doesn't have the additional capacity. It seems that the SLR, the brainchild of Ron Dennis, was originally designed to be the definitive GT car. Ferrari's 550 Maranello was the original target car for the project, but it became clear that the SLR would be in a different league when the first projected performance figures were calculated using the higher-than-expected output from the supercharged Mercedes V8. This would in fact leave space for a smaller car, probably called the Mercedes SLS McLaren. And we’ve caught it in the developmental stages!

Brenda Priddy & Company

Murcielago_LP640 - 1/14/2007 2:21:54 PM

+1 Boost

Those CGIs are fugly.

However there are a few nice ones around...

lexusis350 - 1/15/2007 1:22:51 AM

-3 Boost

That's true. Plus, if it's in a parking lot or on the street, people will put their trash in the exaust pipe and will damage the engine.

farhank420 - 1/14/2007 5:10:58 PM

-5 Boost

the SLS looks fascinating! ....the R8 is overrated, the engine is 2 slow...the Lexus LF-A will kill it! I believe R8 has 420 bho, where as the FA will have more then 500 bhp

lexusis350 - 1/15/2007 1:24:40 AM

-2 Boost

Come on MDalle, you know deep down the LF-A is a good looking vehicle. You just don't want to admit it because Lexus has a tendency to ruin the original luxury makers' reputation (i.e. Audi, Mercedes, BMW) and you don't like that.

indifferent - 1/14/2007 5:13:00 PM

+1 Boost

the side looks a lot like a lambo or ferrari

smshnick - 1/14/2007 5:44:14 PM

+2 Boost

big deal! It's a drawing of a car that Mercedes might make and if it does it's going to be 90k more than the Audi R8. It better beat the R8 for $150,000 Euros. It'll be 2 years before this car is even out and by that time Audi will have come out with a more powerful R8.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/14/2007 11:27:24 PM

+3 Boost

Oh, if it does come out, it will be in a lot longer than two years.

This is only in rumor stage; it would come out in 2010 or 2011 at the earliest. Mercedes has told noone of this project, hasn't released any hints of it, hasn't been caught with mules of it, and nobody has heard of it before.

The R8 V10 will be out far sooner than this, IF it ever comes out.

Magjuan - 1/14/2007 7:11:24 PM

-1 Boost

Perhaps they should instead focus that time, research and development on first making the SLR a Ferrari/Lambo "killer".

Matthew1 - 1/14/2007 7:52:32 PM

+7 Boost

"Killer"

Isn't 'rival' more accurate and less sensationalised?

The whole killer tag has been beaten to death.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/14/2007 9:34:43 PM

+4 Boost

I agree.

This is also hideous (photoshop, yes), and Mercedes has yet to garner a serious supercar- all of their "performance" models have had automatic transmissions, including the SLR, and I don't see that changing.

A4ORCE - 1/14/2007 11:29:31 PM

+2 Boost

I third this... How can you "kill" something that's not even on the road yet? You can beat the spec sheets to death, but there's just no tangible comparison...

S4, you took the words right out of my mouth. That, with the addition of the fact that their performance cars, SLR included, are so friggin overweight for what's supposed to be high performance rockets.

A4ORCE - 1/15/2007 2:50:37 PM

0 Boost

Nimble? I'm sure it is. But 3,858lbs is heavy and last I saw, nimble still has to obey the laws of physics.

http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/8898/mercedes-benz-slr-mclaren-page3.html

EL34 - 1/14/2007 8:29:40 PM

+1 Boost

MB's gunna build an R8 killer??

That sounds like a tall tale.

Matthew1 - 1/14/2007 9:31:32 PM

-1 Boost

EL34,

I await the day you get off your medication. Maybe it was your rock'n'roll days?

SilverAero - 1/14/2007 9:59:12 PM

0 Boost

That looks like an old picture because Mercedes are moving away from that headlamp design.

matt635 - 1/16/2007 6:22:02 PM

+1 Boost

sorry but the SLR is a very good looking car, much beter than the R8, if the "SLS" look anything like the SLR it will be better looking than the awkwardish R8

lexusis350 - 1/15/2007 1:21:23 AM

-1 Boost

That's gotta suck for Audi. They barely introduce the R8 and Mercedes cooks something up to destroy it. But good for Mercedes. Look at that thing. That's one good looking vehicle.

AlexTx - 1/15/2007 9:52:39 AM

+2 Boost

No it won't...you just keep telling yourself that so you can feel better.
Plus the the Merc probably won't have a Manual tranny in it, and right THERE, it will hurt it, just like it will hurt the IS-F.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/15/2007 10:41:50 AM

+2 Boost

Ha! Good-looking? Are you joking?

That's the ugliest McLaren photoshop I've seen!

The R8 is unbeilevably sweet-looking... I don't think any Mercedes sports car can touch it- Mercedes just isn't as of a performance brand as Audi is.

lexusis350 - 1/15/2007 4:29:24 PM

-2 Boost

Well of course you would say that, you own an Volkswa--sorry, Audi. For people who hate Audi's (that's me), this is a good looking car.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/15/2007 9:08:28 PM

+1 Boost

Oh, you just set yourself up.

You have a Toyota! Haw-haw!

Do you see how juvenile you are? Get over it!

lexusis350 - 1/16/2007 12:59:05 AM

0 Boost

Sometimes I just don't understand you. Please clarify, how did I set myself up? Better yet, when did I mention Toyota on this article? And, get over what? Your comments leave me wondering what your talking about. I also wonder if you even know what you're talking about.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/15/2007 6:05:05 PM

+4 Boost

That's a little too general. Mercedes cars aren't usually best-in-class. I'd give best-in-class honors to E-Class, S-Class and CLK-Class.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/15/2007 10:42:21 AM

+4 Boost

*Mercedes just isn't as MUCH of a performance brand...

AlexTx - 1/15/2007 11:36:17 AM

+2 Boost

Fantastic: Straight line performance does not make it a performance car; it is well known that AMG cars are incredibly fast but they lack in the handling department.
Put a AMG in twisty roads and it will feel completely lost. And I should remind you that quite a few Audis are more $$$ than a Merc; (Old RS6 for example was a lot more than the older E55).

AlexTx - 1/15/2007 2:11:57 PM

+5 Boost

I worked for Benz for a short while and have driven AMG cars. Extremly fast, no doubt about it, but even the publications agree; they are not designed to be pushed around corners much.
E63 is quicker than S6 and M5 in a straight line, but at the track, it is almost 2 secs off the pace than the Audi and the Beemer. (with the Audi having a 60 hp deficit and 200lbs more due to AWD)
@Mclaren: mostly some kind of marketing, just like you only see Audis at the Le mans races.

AlexTx - 1/15/2007 2:12:51 PM

+2 Boost

Yup...completely agree..plus it was a stick shift!! (with 1st gear down). I miss the 1980's Benzes...

IZZIE06 - 1/15/2007 1:17:47 PM

-2 Boost

Question, How many of you guys that say AMGs arn't good through the corners, have actually taken an AMG out on a track and run it?

AlexTx - 1/15/2007 3:37:28 PM

+2 Boost

You are correct...it is supposed to ride like a Merc, which means, softer suspension. Merc was never the king of handling, but more of a incredible nice, soft ride.

answer - 1/15/2007 7:04:47 PM

+2 Boost

This image looks more like an evolution of the Cadillac XLR as opposed to a McLaren/Merc.

I'd be happier with the R8, even if it "only" had the V8.