More Mercedes Gullwing Spy Photos
We have seen a fair amount of spy photos of Mercedes' upcoming new super car, dating back to August 2007 in the US desert. Rumours about the car are various, ranging from plausible (SLR replacement) to wild speculations (Maybach Coupe). Today we can bring you pictures of then new Gullwing undergoing some handling test at Germany's famous Nurburgring.
In July 2007 a press release was issued by Mercedes stating that their co-operation with McLaren would come to an end in regards to developing a SLR follow-up model and that Mercedes would keep the development internal. In-house performance branch AMG was appointed with the task, who in turn contracted HWA Racing (Mercedes' DTM partner) to produce the car.
The SLC prototypes may be using Dodge Viper body panels, but rest assured that the similarities end there. The prototype uses a 106-inch long wheelbase, which happens to closely match the SLR's wheelbase and in the process debunks any rumours about a smaller SLR based on the R230 SL-Class platform. The new Mercedes turning into a mid-engined car seems very distant now too.
What the car will be called is uncertain, just like which engine will be powering the car. So far we have been calling it the Mercedes Gullwing or SLC while the 500hp 6.2 liter AMG V8 seems a likely candidate to become its engine. But only time will tell, until then just enjoy the photos and dream away...
Agreed, the rendering is quite appealing for a speculative piece of work. And for a Merc as well, most of the Mercedes renderings (whoever might have done them) suck. Aesthetically.
they are doing chassis/drivetrain testing and the viper was the lightest/most accessible body avalible(testing started before daimler chrysler split into daimler benz and chrysler corp.)
seriously every time a story an article about this prototype shows up there's always someone whose convinced that the car is a viper instead of bothering to read the article or even the subtitle in this case.
its gonna be a beast. i think mercedes and amg doing a car will better than mercedes and mclaren
its a Viper, every can see that...Mercedes by them self doing a "super car" jaja keep tring. The chasis and weight distibution its their problem, that means, ALL of it jaja
This same mule has been around the block. While I don't deny that this is a Mercedes under there, I do think it'd be really funny if this is in fact the next Viper. That'd really throw all those speculating spy shooters a for a loop!
Lol, yeah, that would be great... and horrible, all at the same time.
Why everybody everywhere says that there are a mercedes under this viper ?
WCF is telling us this from more than 6 months and we never see a proof that the mule under this viper body is mercedes !!
what a tunning rendering, than just put some supercharger on 6,2L V8 and it will be a crazy combination, or biturbo at least,I hope that it won`t be a N/A!!!
Well, I won't pretend I know what it is either way because I'm no expert, but there are a few things to consider. First, it looks like those are Mercedes wheels. I know that doesn't mean anything necessarily, but it could. Secondly, the wheel base does appear longer than the Viper, although I might be mistaken (I should probably look closer). Third, Mercedes and Chrysler were together when the current Viper was put into production, so its possible Mercedes has always had Viper clothing stored away for specific test mules. Thirdly, if a company is trying to be as secretive as possible with a special project that they don't want you to know about, they might resort to this kind of camouflage. That being said, the Viper is due for a redesign in the near future so it might be some early test mules. Anyhow, I'll reserve judgment until there is more evidence.
Actually, looks like the dash to axle specifically is longer on this car...
WHY CANT MERCEDES BUILD A MID-ENGINE SUPERCAR??? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????
because your gay why must u speak in big letters?? or even better... why must u speak at all...
I dont understand why they are referring to this car as a gullwing, if you look at the pics, it could not possibly be a gullwing. I love the current SLR, but the car has so many drawbacks first, its uncomfortable unless you a small person or midget sorry and its astronomical cost and cost of ownership, is why they only sold 250 world wide but it is rolling sculpture and if I was three or for inches shorter and could concieve of putting out such an outlandish amount of money for purchase and yearly maintinece I would have on but I cant!!
Oh please, will people stop going on about this being a Viper and not a gullwing... it's a bloody mule! The McLaren F1 used a Ultima as a mule, the SLr a TVR Cerbera as a mule. I guess it happened thet DB got a stack of Viper bodied as the only useful return from the Chrysler debacle. And of course it isn;t a gullwing in these shots - it's a Viper body on a mule!
Please, give it a rest... There is no Viper replacement, Chrysler has much bigger challenges than building a halo model that will only ever be criticised compared to its competition.
Thats a pretty good rendering. I think that is what the new SL should have looked like...
Also, this mule has AMG brakes. To those who still think this is a Dodge Viper..............Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!
Doesn't look like a Mercedes, it's more of a Viper ...
the front looks like a TVR Cerbera...and oh my god, i wasn't drunk when i commented on the first article; it is a viper. pathetic! im missing the SLR already. i dont think that this will beat the slr in beauty, or in performance ..not even a match
To all of you illiterates f**ks out there, esepcially _M7_, Mercedes have been using only the Body Panels of a Dodge Viper, the design is not like a f**king dumb ass Dogde Viper. This is because they do not want anyone to copy their design. F**king illiterates. "The SLC prototypes may be using Dodge Viper body panels, but rest assured that the similarities end there. "
wow wow take it easy pall! you sure are AK47 ...
Thanx, AK47...its clearly not a Viper...and the way people think it is a viper, the camouflage is working right
Please also make the car in right hand drive this time so everyone can enjoy!
Shame Mercedes-Benz isn't teamed up with McLaren, that was a perfect match made in heaven...
Both of both worlds :(