1999 Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR

Exclusive sports car: 1999 Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR

Vehicle: Vision SLR

When: January 1999

Where: North American International Auto Show, Detroit

What: High-performance sports car

Powertrain: Four-stroke eight-cylinder engine, 5.5-liter displacement, supercharged, 410 kW (557 hp), rear-wheel drive, five-speed automatic transmission with Touchshift control

Technical highlights

Chassis consisting of fiber composites and aluminum -> introduced in 2003 in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C 199)

Carbon fiber bucket seats -> introduced 2003 in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C 199)

Electrohydraulic brake system -> introduced 2001 as Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) in the Mercedes-Benz SL (R 230)

Brake discs made of fiber-reinforced ceramic -> introduced in 2003 in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C 199)

Front headlamps with adaptive lighting system -> introduced 2003 as bi-xenon headlamps with Active Light System in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W 211)

Bi-functional xenon projector-beam headlamps for both low and high beam -> introduced 2003 in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C 199)

LED taillights -> introduced in 2003 in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C 199)

Rear license plate illuminated by a special luminescent film.

The Vision SLR was presented at the Detroit Auto Show in 1999 as "Tomorrow's Silver Arrow." This claim was reflected in every aspect of the concept vehicle. Designed as a Gran Turismo for the 21st century, it incorporated styling themes from the current Silver Arrow Formula One racecars and the SLR sports cars of the 1950s, weaving them together into a new and fascinating design.

The body of the Vision SLR expressed dynamism and power. The striking front section with the V-shaped nose and the distinctive twin-airfoil design was a motif repeated at various points around the body and in the interior and was inspired by the Formula One racecars harmonized with the four-headlamp design familiar from other models. The extended hood, the powerfully sculpted fenders, and the gullwing doors of the Vision SLR were based on styling ideas first seen in the legendary SL models of the fifties and their SLR racing versions in which Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling, and Stirling Moss romped from victory to victory. Expressive but by no means aggressive, the Vision SLR displayed a muscular body whose every fiber was taut and honed, poised to go into action at a moment's notice.

A dominant interior design feature was the wide, gently curving center console, circular controls, and the silver-painted "spoiler fins" facing the driver and front passenger. These features replaced a conventional instrument panel and, at the same time, symbolized the state-of-the-art lightweight construction of the Gran Turismo. The cockpit featured two round, aluminum-rimmed instrument dials which recalled high-quality chronometers. These two dials, the speedometer and rev counter, featured a new technique that allowed them to accommodate other displays in their center. Instruments that moved on transparent plastic discs had replaced traditional instrument needles, giving an unimpeded view of the displays. Carbon bucket seats, an oval steering wheel, and state-of-the-art information technology such as the Cockpit Management and Data System (COMAND) were other notable features of the sporty interior.

The Vision SLR's chassis was made of fiber composites and aluminum, which offered outstanding crash performance and brought weight savings of approximately 40 percent compared with conventional steel designs. These materials were used in those areas where they brought the biggest advantages. The front crumple zones, which deformed to a predetermined pattern, were made of aluminum, while for the passenger compartment, fiber composites were used. The extreme strength of these fiber composite components maximized occupant survival space even in a very severe frontal or rear-ended collision.

For the first time in a Mercedes-Benz, an electrohydraulic brake system was used. This system used sensors and microcontrollers to precisely calculate the right braking pressure in a given situation, thus providing significantly enhanced safety when cornering or driving on a slippery surface. Under Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC), the system first went into production in the SL (R 230), premiered in 2001. The brake discs were made of fiber-reinforced ceramic and were capable of withstanding extreme stresses.

The front headlamps with adaptive lighting systems and innovative high-performance diodes automatically followed the direction in which the driver was steering, thereby adapting to different driving situations. The result was significantly improved road illumination when cornering or making a turn. The xenon projector-beam headlamps provided both the low beam and the high beam, and the Mercedes engineers, therefore, referred to them as "bi-functional." This technology is based on shutters that ensure precise compliance with the legal requirements on dipped beam range, automatically move out of the way when the high beam is switched on, thus allowing the full light output to be used. The high beam is supplemented by two long-distance spotlights.

The LED rear lights were particularly effective at warning when the vehicle was braking or making a turn. They were mounted on two "floating" fins positioned above the other, showing a close tie-in with the overall styling themes. A further light strip extended right the way across the vehicle above the rear bumper and housed the reversing light and the rear fog lamp, both of which were based on space-saving, high-performance neon technology. The rear license plate meanwhile was illuminated by means of a special luminescent film.

The Mercedes-Benz high-performance sports car concept was powered by a modified version of the high-torque naturally aspirated V8 engine used in the S-Class. Equipped with supercharging and an air-to-water intercooler, the 5.5 liter V8 developed maximum power of 410 kW (557 hp) in the Vision SLR, making it one of the most powerful engines in this displacement category. Maximum torque of 720 Newton meters came on stream at 4000 rpm, with 580 Newton meters already available at just 2000 rpm. The transmission was a five-speed automatic with Touchshift control. Performance was formidable, with a 0 - 100 km/h time of just 4.2 seconds and a 0 - 200 km/h time of 11.3 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 320 km/h.

Later in 1999, at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), Mercedes-Benz presented the roadster version of the Vision SLR. In terms of styling and engineering, it closely resembled the all-enclosed version. However, some new themes were also aired, such as a soft-top made of innovative translucent material.

Ever since it was first unveiled in 1999, Vision SLR has represented Mercedes-Benz's idea of an exclusive sports car. There will be little change on that score even after the start of "volume" production in 2004 since only 3,500 units are planned. Before the production, various refinements were made to the bodywork and the engine, which now develops maximum power of 460 kW (626 hp) at 6500 rpm, with maximum torque of 780 Nm available between 3250 and 5000 rpm. As these figures indicate, the SLR is every inch a high-performance sports car. But with all the refinement of a Mercedes-Benz.

Note: The convertible version is named the Vision SLR Roadster.

Source: DaimlerChrysler Press Release

Photo Sources: DaimlerChrysler AG & René Staud