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Global Viewpoints
British-built Mercedes
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Mercedes-Benz SLR will be built in the UK.
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The Mercedes-Benz SLR supercar is to be built in Britain. It will be developed and constructed by McLaren Cars Ltd. at a new TAG-McLaren facility at Woking, near London. The SLR was unveiled at the NAIAS Show in January. Through the concept of the Mercedes-Benz SLR, DaimlerChrysler and McLaren intend to ensure the transfer of technology and image from their successful Formula 1 partnership to series production. Mercedes expects the segment of top-class sports cars, of which the SLR will be part, to almost double by 2005 to reach an annual figure of around 2500 units. The SLR incorporates carbon fiber in its construction and has fiber-reinforced ceramic brakes. Its supercharged V8 engine's power output is 400 kW (544 hp). Target weight is 1400 kg (3080 lb). Sales should start in 2003.
Stuart Birch
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