Car critics now have an idea regarding the replacement of the SLR McLaren with a glimpse of the Mercedes-Benz SLC prototype. Some describe it having features of an AMG-style wheel and a Dodge Viper rear bumper.

Critics say that every piece of sheetmetal has been swiped from the Viper, including the side sills, which still have outlets for the brutal Dodge’s side pipes, despite the mule’s rear-mounted exhausts.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC will follow directly in the grand-touring footsteps of the SLR; there will be no mid-mounted engine here. The small greenhouse means that max occupancy for the car likely will be two.

The new SLC has a wheelbase that is almost identical to that of the SLR McLaren at 106. The SLC, however, will be a totally AMG-developed effort, as evidenced by the all-Affalterbachian engineering team. This should not be a surprise, given that Mercedes and McLaren parted ways earlier this year. Mercedes is going it alone on the smaller and lighter SLC, reportedly with a turbocharged version of the 6.2-liter V-8.

There also has been some reports that the SLC will share parts with the future SL Black Series, with engineering help from German motorsports specialist, HWA AG, which Mercedes bought in 1999.

Critics hope to see the SLC at the 2008 Geneva auto show with production in 2009.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 at 5:09 am and is filed under Mercedes Benz News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.