2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Performance - What the Auto Press Says

Critics report that the SLR McLaren is powerful and fast, but not as agile as sports enthusiasts would expect.

• "Mercedes proudly announces that passengers can still converse at well over 120 mph with the top down. Perhaps that's not a good thing - its well-heeled drivers will be subjecting themselves to one big speeding ticket trying to drown out their significant others. Then again, with a 6.5-liter, 617-hp supercharged V-8 under that obscenely long hood, they should be able to outrun the cops handily." -- Automobile Magazine

Acceleration and Power

The SLR McLaren is powerful --  featuring a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 617 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 575 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 - 5,000 rpm. According to Mercedes-Benz, the SLR has a top speed of 206 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The EPA estimates that the SLR has a city/highway fuel economy of 12/16 mpg.

• "A supercharged 5.4-liter V8 (which is mounted behind the front wheels for optimal weight distribution) powers the rear-wheel-drive 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with a visceral 617 hp and 575 pound-feet of torque.  ... EPA estimates -- if there's a potential buyer who cares -- come in at a predictably low 12 mpg city/16 mpg highway and 13 mpg combined." -- Edmunds

Handling and Braking

Test drivers find that the rear-wheel drive SLR McLaren is surprisingly firm for a chop-top sports car. Still, some note that its sensitive steering and braking system make it hard to drive, and that it's more powerful than agile.

• "Normal convertible short-comings do not apply. Compared with a Mercedes CLK or BMW 3 Series cabriolet, or even a soft-top Porsche 911 or Jaguar XK8, consequences such as flex, shake or even vibration do not exist here..." -- AutoWeek
• "If there's any flex in this chassis, it's intangible. The SLR McLaren is incredibly fast in a straight line, but the overly sensitive steering and brake pedal conspire to make it difficult to drive smoothly." -- Car and Driver
• "The SLR is more super-muscle-car than super-sports-car, and 'agile' wouldn't be the first word to describe it." -- AutoWeek
• "The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster excels on challenging roads and accelerates and brakes with the greatest of ease. But there are a few drawbacks. Some might find that the steering lacks feel, and many enthusiasts bemoan the fact that the car is not available with a manual transmission.  ... The carbon ceramic brakes are capable of bringing the SLR to a halt, but they're almost too good -- their instant bite makes it difficult to ease into braking." -- Edmunds