In 1888, Karl Benz patented what would later be known as the first modern car. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most popular brands in the world. However, it is just a natural result of a company that has been running its operations in a successful manner since the very beginning.
The brand produced one of the first vehicles that used a diesel engine. It also pioneered the Pre-Safe collision avoidance system. The system could move the seats to a safer position and even tighten the seat belts while preparing for the collision.
At first sight, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren seems a little claustrophobic with its small door aperture and the slimline bucket seat. However, you would quickly get into a playful mode by turning the ignition key and pushing the start engine button. The car was about raw speed. Here are 15 things you forgot about the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
15 5.4L 24-Valve AMG Supercharged V8 Engine
McLaren took the concept car created by Mercedes and moved the engine 39.4 inches behind the bumper. The engine was a 511 lb, 5.4-liter, 24-valve, supercharged AMG V8 with a compression ratio of 8:8:1. The engine could generate a power output of 617 hp at 6,500 rpm and torque of 575 lb-ft.
14 Electro-Hydraulic Braking System
Electro-Hydraulic Braking System offered innovative ways to reduce the driver's workload. In a system like this, there is a link between the pedal and the brake cylinder. The traditional cylinder would develop hydraulic pressure at the wheels. The electric system provides the brakes with brake fluid from the high-pressure reservoir.
13 AMG Sports Exhaust System
The AMG Sports Exhaust system featured two distinctive side pipes on each side of the car. The company was inspired by high-performance sports cars. As Mercedes-Benz said, they didn't want to give the car a traditional exhaust gas system with the diffuser design. So they completely redesigned it in order to match the new concept.
12 Bose Cabin Surround Audio System
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was available with the high-end Bose surround-sound audio system. This world-renowned company made a sound system specifically tailored to this car. It had high-quality speakers, digital amplifiers and nine channels. The system also had stylish aluminum speaker grilles. It was available as an optional package.
11 Anti-Theft Alarm System
Anti-Theft Alarm system combines different security features to make sure you wouldn't lose your SLR McLaren. The system will send an alarm and give a visual warning if someone tries to steal the vehicle. The system activates automatically when the car is locked and gets triggered by movement in the vehicle interior.
10 Anti-Lock Braking System
The Anti-Lock Braking system is a system that doesn't allow the wheels to lock up when the car is braking. However, in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the system also serves other functions. For example, it works together with the electronically controlled automatic transmission and monitors the navigation computer, the active suspension control and more.
9 Acceleration Skid Control
While on the move, Acceleration Skid Control helps the driver and provides additional safety by minimizing the risk of the vehicle breaking out laterally during acceleration. It works together with the electronic-pneumatic brake control that shortens the stopping distance. It also communicates with the anti-lock braking system.
8 Sensotronic Brake Control
Sensotronic Brake Control offers greater safety than other brake systems when braking on a slippery surface or in a corner. It used to be an innovative electronically controlled unit which Mercedes-Benz would later fit in many passenger car models. The system could send electric impulses onto a microcomputer which calculated the best brake pressure.
7 TeleAid Global Positioning System
With the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the company entered a new era of customer service and convenience. TeleAid provided emergency services at the touch of a button. The system integrated software and hardware from Motorola and client response from Roadside Assistance Programs and the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center.
6 BabySmart Child Seat Recognition System
BabySmart Child Seat Recognition System is necessary for deactivating the front-passenger airbag. The system features sensors in the front seat and works automatically. It is an important unit that protects the child in the event of a collision. Otherwise, an airbag could hit the child which could lead to serious injuries.
5 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Keeping proper tire pressure is vital to your car's safety. Luckily, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren had you covered. The system would monitor your tires and alert you if it detected a loss in pressure. When it happened, the warning light would illuminate. You could see your tire pressure levels in the instrument cluster.
4 Premium Interior Design
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren had no fussy interior details, everything was highly functional. You could clearly see the flair of Formula 1 in the interior design. The seats, the center console, the parcel shelf, the instruments reflected the typical Formula 1 vehicle. The SLR had a clear layout with an ergonomic design.
3 SmartKey Security With User Recognition
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren didn't force you to fumble with keys. It had a keyless start technology paired with SmartKey Security and User Recognition. These systems gave a security boost to the driver of the car with many layers of security levels that could protect the vehicle from unauthorized users.
2 Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
If you've ever been in a car that isn't equipped with automatic climate control, you probably know how nice this feature is. This is a system that allows you to set a temperature and not to worry about re-adjusting the heat. In-vehicle sensors do it for you. No need to fiddle with the temperature knob.
1 Electronic Stability Program
Electronic Stability Program, or ESP, is the powertrain management system that keeps this beautiful car on its wheels and going forward when necessary. The system monitors the vehicle from head to toe and makes adjustments hundreds of times per second. If it detects skidding tires, it adjusts the speed of each wheel.