Mercedes just unleashed the long-awaited SLR McLaren Roadster which will go on sale from September 2007. Like the 1999 Vision SLR concept on which it’s based, the production version of the SLR McLaren Roadster retains the scissor-type doors of its coupe counterpart. Unlike the SL and SLK roadsters, the SLR features a retractable soft-top which is available in three different colors. The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, with the driver having to a little “dirty” work by unlocking the roof from the windscreen frame and briefly raising it, after which it folds away electrically. We have to say that, while we love the SLR McLaren Roadster’s appearance with the top down, we’re not so enthusiastic about the cars looks when its roof on.
Disproving rumors that Mercedes would prefer the upgraded 650Hp V8 of the SLR McLaren 722 Special Edition, the Roadster retains the “stock” 626Hp turbocharged V8 which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission. According to Mercedes, the Roadster sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,8 sec while it reaches a maximum speed of 332km/h (206mph) which identical to the Coupe’s performance figures -3,8 sec & 334 km/h (207mph) respectively.
