Essen 2007: Brabus Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR roadster

The Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR is one of those rare cars that it is hard to improve upon. But Brabus found a way to do it. With the announcement that the SLR would be going topless, it was just a matter of time before the German tunder got one to play with.

So what exactly did they do? Well under the hood there are new cams, a new exhaust system, and a new system to cool the fuel(very interesting). This gives the supercharged 5.5 liter V8 an additional 24hp, bumping the total to 650hp. This cuts the 0-60 sprint to just 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 209 mph.

20 inch Brabus Monoblock VI wheels are utilized, with a choice of Yokohama or Pirelli tires. Custom designed carbon fiber front and rear diffusers enhance the areodynamics outside.

Inside you will find more carbon fiber taking up residence on the dashboard. Also found inside is Barabus' special waffle pattern leaather carpeting in the foot wells(make sure you take your shoes off). All of this is topped off with an ergonomic steering wheel with paddle shifters for the SLR's automatic transmission.

PRESS RELEASE

Is it possible to make a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster even more exclusive and individual? BRABUS proves that the topless Mercedes supercar can be made even sportier and more exciting with its sophisticated customization program.

To give the two-seater even more striking looks while at the same time minimizing lift on the front axle, the BRABUS designers have developed a front spoiler that attaches to the production bumper. The spoiler is made from exposed carbon fiber and its shape was fine-tuned in the wind tunnel. It is especially lightweight and extremely tough. A corresponding BRABUS rear diffuser made from exposed carbon fiber can replace its production counterpart.

The sporty BRABUS outfit for the SLR Roadster is dominated by BRABUS Monoblock VI 20-inch wheels that fill the wheel houses perfectly. The fully polished multi-piece wheels feature six double spokes and are mounted on the sports car in size 9.5Jx20 in front and size 11.5Jx20 on the rear axle. High-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 are supplied by BRABUS technology partners Pirelli and YOKOMAMA. This low-profile tire/wheel combination is custom-tailored for the SLR coupe and roadster and benefits not only the car's appearance but also its handling.

Thus equipped the topless SLR is ready for some additional power provided by BRABUS engine tuning. The power tuning for the supercharged 5.5-liter (335.5 cu. in.) engine consists of special camshafts, a fuel cooling system and a high-performance exhaust. With BRABUS tuning, power output of the V8 compressor engine increases by 24 hp (23 hp SAE net) / 18 kW to 650 hp (641 hp SAE net) / 478 kW at 6,500 rpm.

BRABUS also offers a special clutch-type limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent. It further optimizes traction and improves acceleration performance of the super sports car. The tuned roadster sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph).

Precision handwork down to the last detail characterizes the exclusive BRABUS interior design for the two-seater. The company-own upholstery shop specializes in fulfilling just about any request from discriminating SLR owners when it comes to customizing the interior. That includes a multitude of leather types and colors as well as custom upholstery designs.

An unusual BRABUS specialty is the waffle-patterned leather carpeting in the SLR's footwells. Some 7,800 meters (25,600 feet) of the finest thread are sewn with utmost precision for it alone.

A sporty and functional BRABUS option is the ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel that is flattened on the bottom for markedly easier entering and exiting of the vehicle. The steering wheel features integrated buttons for manual shifting of the SLR's automatic transmission.

Sporty BRABUS carbon-fiber applications for dashboard, center console and door trim transfer the racing look of the BRABUS body components into the interior. The exposed carbon-fiber trim can be color-coordinated with the leather color of the interior.

SEMA 07: Chrysler SR-392 Hemi Roadster breaks cover early.

Thanks to the guys over at Jalopnik.com for this breaking news. The Chrysler SR-392 Hemi Roadster was spied in the open before it's unveiling at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The roadster is based on a reproduction 1927 Chrysler body, which has been heavily modified. The Custom SR-392 Roadster features a 392 Hemi crate motor from Mopar. The distinctively 'Detroit' roadster is a collaborative build project between Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team and Quality Metalcraft.

Rods seem to be the hot item at this years SEMA show. The Chrysler SR-392 is the second such vehicle to be unveiled. The first being the Chevrolet E85 rod from General Motors. Look for more info as the car becomes official. At cursory glance, the Chevrolet seems to be a bit more polished with it's look and overall finished product. But the Chrysler gains extra kudos in my book as it's a roadster, and it's got a Hemi..... Sweet!

Official Press Release:

Auburn Hills, Mich. -
What do you get when you combine the new 392 HEMI crate engine from Mopar with the world's first-ever steel reproduction of a 1927 street rod body and three car-crazy designers? The result is a custom SR 392 Roadster that will debut in the Mopar booth (#42427) at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The SEMA Show is the annual showcase of technology, trends and products representing the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry that will be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For nearly two years, Chrysler's Mark Allen and Ralph Gilles planned to build the SR 392 Roadster as a SEMA stunner with Michael Chetcuti of Livonia, Mich.-based auto supplier, Quality Metalcraft (QMC). Allen is chief designer, Jeep®/Dodge Truck Studios - Chrysler LLC and Gilles is Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC. Gilles and Allen are members of Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team, a group of in-house automotive enthusiasts who donate their time to SEMA project vehicles.

Allen said, "It was important to convey the car's theme as an homage to Detroit - the cool Detroit with its unique artistic community, music and gritty vibe. We used durable materials and let the mechanicals show to reflect the industrial backbone of the city. We wrapped it all up in a high-gloss black-and-chrome wrapper to evoke Detroit's cool attitude."

Allen, Chetcuti and Gilles saw a challenge in proving that the 6.4-liter HEMI crate engine could apply to a vehicle other than traditional muscle cars or modified up fits. The team's idea was to redefine the classic hot rod with a more functional urban and industrial attitude to create a distinctly 'Detroit' roadster.

The project was assisted by Chetcuti's QMC since the company has tooled, designed and now stamps the first-ever steel reproduction of a '27 street rod body -- the Shadowrods XL-27 Roadster and Lakes Modified bodies developed by hot rod legend, Jon Hall.

"The core design elements of this roadster speak to the grit and industrial edge of our city," said Chetcuti. "Things like the mezzanine flooring detail and Eames-inspired seating -- these take an industrial cue but are by no means 'rat-rod.' It is a refined and organized design throughout."

After several design variations were discussed (California hot rod king Chip Foose even had a peek), Allen brought his full resources to the design's completion. QMC stamped and performed the initial assembly on the reworked Shadowrods body - and fabricated and fit the revised hood, hood side panels, lower rocker panels and doors to the body.

With the car's extremely low stance, Shadowrods was asked to build a custom frame using a unique staggered truss concept. For the final build of the SR 392 Roadster, QMC turned to longtime concept- and show-car builder Wheel to Wheel Powertrain of Madison Heights, Mich.

Overseen by Gilles, the Mopar Underground SEMA design team has been customizing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge production vehicles for the SEMA show since its creation in 2002. The team creates tricked, tuned and customized vehicle concepts meant to develop performance parts, accessories and customization, vehicle concepts and keep the Mopar spirit and passion alive.