SamIAM™
10-05-2003, 09:46 PM
Ferrari is in trouble, I say again.
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Baby SLR To Charge In
By Chris Thorp
While its big brother was wowing the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes engineers were hard at work on this, the SLA. The roadster is little bigger than the SLK, but is far more than simply a restyled version of the two-seater.
It's charged with stealing sales from Ferrari's 360 Modena, and while it won't be cheap, the McLaren technology and carbon fibre bodywork will be state-of-the-art. The all-new machine will be a striking understudy to the mighty SLR, and also an out-and-out driver's car with little attention paid to the luxuries of more traditional Mercedes models.
A lightweight construction will en-sure sharp handling, while brutal performance will come from a line-up of powerful engines, including a flagship supercharged V6. The newcomer will be sold alongside the all-new SLK, which is due to be unveiled this year.
Part of the SLA's appeal could come from the futuristic 'tilting wheel' system, a cornering aid which was fitted to the F400 Carving, the concept first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001. That car was recently spotted testing at various secret locations, fuelling rumours that Mercedes will use the technology in its future models, starting with the SLA, which is due in 2006. To keep costs down, engineers are working on speeding up production. This includes a new process to press panels into shape after they have been coloured, making it easier and cheaper to get a high-quality paint finish. A replacement for the C-Class, featuring S-Class technology, is also being developed.
--------------------------------------------
Baby SLR To Charge In
By Chris Thorp
While its big brother was wowing the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes engineers were hard at work on this, the SLA. The roadster is little bigger than the SLK, but is far more than simply a restyled version of the two-seater.
It's charged with stealing sales from Ferrari's 360 Modena, and while it won't be cheap, the McLaren technology and carbon fibre bodywork will be state-of-the-art. The all-new machine will be a striking understudy to the mighty SLR, and also an out-and-out driver's car with little attention paid to the luxuries of more traditional Mercedes models.
A lightweight construction will en-sure sharp handling, while brutal performance will come from a line-up of powerful engines, including a flagship supercharged V6. The newcomer will be sold alongside the all-new SLK, which is due to be unveiled this year.
Part of the SLA's appeal could come from the futuristic 'tilting wheel' system, a cornering aid which was fitted to the F400 Carving, the concept first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001. That car was recently spotted testing at various secret locations, fuelling rumours that Mercedes will use the technology in its future models, starting with the SLA, which is due in 2006. To keep costs down, engineers are working on speeding up production. This includes a new process to press panels into shape after they have been coloured, making it easier and cheaper to get a high-quality paint finish. A replacement for the C-Class, featuring S-Class technology, is also being developed.