These are the latest in a continuous stream of test mule SLC photos as it undergoes testing. Last summer we had already seen the new supercar undergoing hot weather testing in the Californian Death Valley.
Though cloaked in Dodge Viper camouflage, the top end Mercedes AMG offering will have a longer wheelbase – nearer to that of the production McLaren SLR – and classic long bonnet and short rear deck sport car proportions.
As the successor to the legendary 1950s-era 300SL, Mercedes’ supercar project is expected to source power from a 620hp V8 unit driving the rear wheels.
Anticipated to break cover in production form in 2010, the range topping car is expected to be built at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant in Germany.
Mercedes SLC Mule Caught Again
copyright AUTOMEDIA / Mercedes SLC Mule during winter testing
Winter testing
By Eric Gallina
January 23, 2008 9:58 AM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz, Spy Photos
Comments
bakrione
January 23, 2008 12:37 PM
looks viper-ish,,
Straiyan
January 23, 2008 4:44 PM
Had you both paid attention to the write up you might notice that it clearly says "Though cloaked in Dodge Viper camouflage.."
The Viper was chosen most probably because it fit's the body profile of the SLC best as well as the fact that Dodge is owned by Chrysler which was once owned by Daimler AG until recently.
wisp
January 23, 2008 2:22 PM
With such a long snort, the drivers will need camera driver aids at the front especialy when turning. Without them, the drivers will need to basically stand up just so to see the front of the bonnet when parking or turning.
This car looks more practical for playstation or X box games.
Murcielago2006
January 23, 2008 4:14 PM
How come they are using a modified Viper SRT-10 for the mule???
dmanero
January 23, 2008 4:41 PM
People it clearly states, it's a mule. Please read what you write before posting.
The viper is probably the only other car that has such a long bonnet and short trunk lid. Makes sence.
ck314
January 23, 2008 5:53 PM
Hopefully they'll manage to restore that grandiose design of the 500K and 540K back in the '30s, far away from the ugly opulence of current Maybach's or without falling for another distorted, cartoonish design such as the SLR. Also they'll be getting rid of that infamous 3-valve, single camshaft old limousine engine. At last!
Straiyan
January 29, 2008 2:55 PM
ck314, The SLR, a piece of sh*t? You've got to be under the influence of several drugs or just obscene stupidity, so what if you've driven it? Waste of engine mileage on you if all you can say is that it was a heap of sh*t.
You obviously fail to realize that the SLR IS one of the only SUPERCARS which have a front mounted V8 SOHC engine PLUS an automatic gearbox.
You're all talk man, "blah blah blah, true supercar this n that whine whine"
Let's leave the reviews to people who actually know a good car hey ;)
_M7_
January 23, 2008 9:21 PM
a really huge engine whit "normal" power
and tenis shoe looking, I hope side exoust dos`nt fire up like the dodge jaja crapy car...
nuutti
January 23, 2008 10:00 PM
ck314,why do you think the 3 valve v8 is a old limousine engine? it powers my daily car and i like it. have you ever tried one? or don't you just get the kicks that engine gives you? besides the slr is not cartoonish, i hope you've seen one in real life and in action
ck314
January 23, 2008 10:54 PM
Dude, I have not only seen but driven a SLR coupé last year for a whole weekend and it's a load of s*it for its price (butt ugly, inconsistent steering, no rear slip diff., nervous handling, ugly low pitched noise, 5-gear auto...), a true shame! No wonder McLaren engineers were so embarrassed and disappointed with MB's management at the time. I have also driven the S65 AMG, and, again, okay you have an impressive power surge, but far from the sporty revvy feeling and amazing sound of a naturally aspirated, twin cam engine, such as a Porsche 997 GT3, a Ferrari 599 or even the S63 AMG. For half a million euros I'd rather get a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead.
H34DL1N3R
January 23, 2008 11:37 PM
ck314, that's ridiculous!! there are a lot of professional tester who say other things!! i bet you didn't even touch a slr! don't take it too personal;)
ck314
January 24, 2008 1:18 AM
I have the pics and everything, but it's not like I have anything to prove to you. Sorry but if those testers were amazed with the car and concluded it was up to the Carrera GT or the Enzo in terms of handling, sound, and styling, they were obviously professional liars or incompetent dumbwits. A true sportscar is something else than massive power in a straight line. So get your facts straight or grow up. Or both :)
NICKKOP
January 24, 2008 3:54 AM
not impressed, mercedes has disappointed me for the past half decade, only riding the coattails of their reputation in history, the only thing impressive in their recent history are the V8 6.2 and 5.5 kompressor motors, and the V6 CDI turbodiesel.. and maybe the new C63... maybe... AMG has never been a true competitor for BMW M, with their 70s detroit muscle-car handling characteristics, Audi RS is a much more competent competitor, as far as engineering goes...
dbehmoaras
January 24, 2008 4:40 AM
clearly based on a viper, but i know benz is in dire need for an slr replacement, or maybe even higher up
Straiyan
January 24, 2008 3:22 PM
Lol, you can't just replace the SLR, it's the greatest V8 supercar ever.
dbehmoaras
January 24, 2008 9:43 PM
thats definitely true, what i meant by replacing it is sort of like a next-gen slr with a juiced v8 6.2 in the s63 and such--the slr really was great, too bad they no make no mo
dolcegabbana
January 24, 2008 11:03 AM
wow i can't bealive some people say it looks like a viper , CANT U F'KN READ THAT IT'S A MULE???????!!!!!!!!!!!! or maybe you don't know the meaning of that word ??????
dbehmoaras
January 24, 2008 9:48 PM
obviously its not gonna be a viper, what i meant was that if the viper is a mule, the production version will be a similar chasis; the viper coupe and the slr (yes it is true, study the car you will see) are pretty much the same (not identical, SIMILAR) so it is not unlikely that it will be some sort of viber based, inspired, whatever you like chasis
ck314
January 24, 2008 3:17 PM
Yeah, apparently English isn't the easiest language to understand on here... Besides, on the other set of pics with less camouflage you can clearly see it's going to be a modern reinterpretation of the glorious 300 SLR from the '50s. Hope they do it right.
schefar
January 24, 2008 5:15 PM
I think most don't know what does "Mule" means. Mule is not yet the car that you expected to see, it's just an Experiment.
german-cars-lover
January 25, 2008 11:49 PM
Guys , Look at the image again .. Do you really believe it's Mercedes ?? Iam sure it's Dodge Viper .
nuutti
January 31, 2008 12:55 AM
it's funny that you compare the s65 with the 997 gt3 ck314. I think you shouldn't step foot in another merc. You obviously don't like them so why do you bother? Maybe you should spend more time in an audi or something :D
jai_mav
March 16, 2008 1:39 AM
this is just getting funny...if one more person calls this a viper, they should get banned from the site. and in most carrera gt vs slr mclaren reviews so far, its always been the same bottom line: the SLR is a nice car, with good performance, but it is nowhere near as race car-ish as the carrera gt.
Bristol411S3
March 16, 2008 2:50 PM
Maybe it would help people to understand the mule thing if they remember that the McLaren F1 used an Ultima as a mule, and the SLR used a TVR Cerbera as a mule.
I have no expectations that Chrysler are working on a hi-tech replacement for the Viper so I think it is a safe assumption that this is a mule for the SLC.
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