---

Mercedes-Benz to Debut Sports Car Concept at Detroit

21 December 1998

Mercedes-Benz to Debut Sports Car Concept at Detroit; Bold Design Inspired by Formula One Champion and Legendary 1950s SL    

    MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 20 -- Mercedes-Benz will debut a
striking concept for a high-performance sports car on Monday, January 4 during
press activities preceding the North American International Auto Show, January
9-17 at Detroit's Cobo Center.  The January 4 press conference will be held at
10:00 a.m. in the Cobo Hall lobby atrium.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981220/NYSU001 )
    The new design study will blend futuristic styling from the current
Formula One World Champion "Silver Arrow" race car with classic design
elements from the famous SL sports car and SLR racer of the 1950s.  The
evocative design of its arrow-shaped front end and advanced door concept is
based on the Formula One race car which Mika Hakkinen drove to victory in the
1998 World Championship.  These race car design cues also appear in the
cockpit and along the body.
    The long chiseled hood, sweeping fender lines and unusual doors hearken
back to the 1950s 300SL sports car and its SLR racing version which legendary
drivers such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Rudolf Caracciola and Stirling Moss
piloted to numerous victories.
    The dramatic look of the SLR design study incorporates a double spoiler
across the front of the car and a new interpretation of the familiar
Mercedes-Benz "face" featuring four oval headlights.  The body is formed with
lightweight fiber-reinforced materials and aluminum.
    While the Mercedes-Benz SLR design study is clearly a one-of-a-kind
concept vehicle, some of its design elements and technology could appear in
future Mercedes production cars.