2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Review
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Advanced design and construction, unprecedented level of occupant protection, supercar performance with grand touring amenities.
Cons
- Annoying brakes, intrusive wind and road noise, interior too derivative of the SL, purists will balk at the lack of a manual transmission.
What’s new
There are no significant changes for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR.
Edmunds says
Is it a highly capable grand touring car or a super-luxurious sports car? Once you pass 200 mph, it doesn't really matter, does it?
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2dr Coupe (5.4L 8cyl S/C 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.02 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$379/mo for SLR McLaren Base
SLR McLaren Base
vs
$163/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
A true exotic in every sense of the word, the SLR is an ultrahigh-performance coupe that goes well beyond anything Mercedes has ever offered for public consumption. It draws its name from Mercedes' famed '50s racing coupe that won nearly every race that mattered at the time, so no expense was spared in putting together a modern-day production car of equal stature. Built in collaboration with McLaren, Mercedes' partner in Formula One racing (and the creator of the infamous McLaren F1 supercar), the SLR makes extensive use of carbon fiber in its structure to keep weight down while maintaining the rigidity necessary to handle the car's power. Lightweight aluminum has also been used for the car's double-wishbone suspension. At almost 3,800 pounds, however, there's no mistaking the SLR for a lithe racer like the Ferrari F430. Rather, the SLR is meant to be more of a traditional GT that just so happens to have outrageous performance potential.
The SLR's front midengine design provides optimum weight distribution but makes the car's long hood a bit out of proportion to the rest of the car. Underneath that hood is an AMG-developed, 5.4-liter, aluminum V8 that has many race-oriented modifications, including a dry-sump lubrication system. A screw-type supercharger is nestled between the V8's cylinder banks and forces air through twin water-based intercoolers. The supercharger is inactive during light-load situations to help reduce fuel consumption. Reducing the SLR from speed is an advanced braking system. Mercedes has fitted the car with ceramic brake rotors, eight-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers. In addition, the system is supplemented by an air brake that automatically deploys from the rear deck lid under hard braking conditions.
In the SLR's price range, there are two general types of cars: grand touring vehicles such as the Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti or pure performance machines like the Lamborghini Murcielago. With the SLR, Mercedes has attempted to cover both. It offers better performance than the Vanquish or 612 Scaglietti and more amenities and features than the Lambo. But the SLR doesn't offer a true manual transmission like the Lamborghini, and the level of wind and road noise within the cabin, even at moderate speeds, won't threaten the serenity of Aston Martin's Vanquish. What this means to prospective buyers is that they can now have yet another flavor of exotic transportation. The 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is easier to live with than a pure super sports car, more capable than a grand tourer and endowed with a more advanced design and construction than either.
Performance & mpg
The rear-drive Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren comes equipped with a 5.4-liter supercharged V8. It's capable of 617 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 575 lb-ft of torque at a low 3,250 rpm. Only one transmission is offered: a five-speed automatic with adaptive shifting AMG SpeedShift programming. The driver can manually select transmission gearing via steering wheel-mounted buttons. According to Mercedes, the SLR can achieve 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and top out at 208 mph.
Safety
Though no governmental crash tests have been performed, the SLR McLaren should protect occupants to an extremely high degree. Its body structure is made out of lightweight and extremely strong carbon fiber, which is the same material used for Formula One racecars. Standard safety features include Tele Aid, stability control, side and side curtain airbags, knee-protecting airbags and carbon-ceramic brakes with ABS, Mercedes' Sensotronic feature and BrakeAssist.
Driving
The SLR delivers the type of excitement one would expect of a 21st-century sports car. The car's sophisticated suspension, long wheelbase, low center of gravity and wide track provide stability and predictability under extreme driving conditions. At high speeds in long, sweeping corners and through rapid transitions, the SLR feels as buttoned down as any other exotic. Acceleration is explosive and strangely drama-free -- just stand on the throttle and go. Road noise and braking response are probably the car's weakest links. Every road impact can be heard in the cabin and the Sensotronic brakes are difficult to modulate during normal driving situations.
Interior
Swing-wing doors that open up and out provide a dramatic entrance to the car similar to the Mercedes' famous gullwing SLs. Settling into the cockpit reveals a cabin with a straightforward layout that's usable at a glance. Carbon fiber, aluminum and exclusive hides of leather are used throughout and everything is of very high quality. Some people might find the SLR's interior design a bit too derivative of the regular SL-Class, however. The SLR's trunk offers up almost 10 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is significantly better than the capacity of most other exotic sports cars.
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren models
The Mercedes-Benz SLR is a two-passenger, exotic performance coupe. Of course, this being a Mercedes, there's a high emphasis on luxury, and all of the car's features come standard. On the outside the SLR is equipped with features like bi-HID headlights and 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires (255/35ZR19 in front and 295/30ZR19 in back). Inside, there's exclusive Grand Nappa or Silver Arrow leather upholstery, real aluminum trim, a Bose surround-sound system with a six-CD changer, automatic dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control. The SLR's seats are unusual in that they don't provide much adjustment. Instead, Mercedes offers special upholstery modules to specifically tailor seat comfort for each individual owner.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
5 star(80%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(20%)
1 star(0%)
5 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Super supercar,Great track car!
Bob, 08/08/2005
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2dr Coupe (5.4L 8cyl S/C 5A)
Brakes from 120-0 mph in less than 140 feet, phenomanal. Can top 200 mph, wonderful. 0-60 in 3.6, perfect. Comfy,great track car, beautiful, I love mine more than just about anything. Super stylish, totally hot!
4.75 out of 5 stars
A true work of art in machining
Greekouzo, 07/16/2005
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2dr Coupe (5.4L 8cyl S/C 5A)
I am an avid exotic automobile collector and enthusiast. Out of all the Mercedes and Ferrari's I have ever owned, this is by far the most exhilarating experience. I would even put it ahead of my Ferrari 940. It is a very powerful yet nimble and handles like the tires are glued to the pavement. I would definitely recommend this to a serious car enthousiast if they are considering … maybe for one of the Italian competitors.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Amazing Machine
FCOMPAGNINO, 08/05/2005
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2dr Coupe (5.4L 8cyl S/C 5A)
This vehicle is amazing. Such great performance and great handling. I don't think that you can get any better than a race car
5 out of 5 stars
Rides like heaven
Brett, 05/14/2005
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2dr Coupe (5.4L 8cyl S/C 5A)
I'm very pleased with my investment, and I suggest others to test drive this model. It may seem like a waste of money, but if you are like me, you'd rather pay an extra amount of money to get something you can rely on. The average person spends this much in fixing their car for the lifetime of their car, which is, on average, 6 years. I've had my other Mercedes for about 6.5 years. I had … to get it fixed once throughout that time due to a fender-bender. I plan on the same level of reliability on my new Mercedes.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, so we've included reviews for other years of the SLR McLaren since its last redesign.
2006 SLR McLaren Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $450,000 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 13 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $379/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 9.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
Key safety features on the SLR McLaren include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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