1999 Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR Roadster Concept

• Supercharged 5.4L V8 delivers 557 hp and 720 Nm of torque

• Gullwing doors, long bonnet, and quad xenon headlights nod to racing heritage

• Carbon-aluminum chassis and ceramic brakes forecasted future AMG tech

V8 Performance with Formula One Swagger

This thing wasn’t just for show. The 1999 Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR Roadster Concept packed a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 under that long, tapering bonnet. Output? A properly loud 557 horsepower (410 kW) and 720 Nm (531 lb-ft) of torque. It was backed by a five-speed automatic gearbox sending power to the rear wheels.

Not surprisingly, the performance numbers still hold up. Zero to 100 km/h in around 4.2 seconds and a top speed near 320 km/h (199 mph). The fact it ran those numbers in concept form says a lot about the engineering intent.

Design: A Nod to the Silver Arrows, With Modern Muscle

From a distance, the silhouette is unmistakably long-nose GT. But up close, it’s full of sharpness and motorsport cues. The quad xenon headlights are tucked under sleek lenses, while the nose dips with a slight aggression into a wide lower intake.

Those gullwing doors? Definitely a wink to the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe and 300 SL. The rear’s more restrained—small LED clusters and a subtle integrated spoiler. It feels planted but not overdone.

Chassis and Technology Way Ahead of Its Time

Mercedes didn’t stop at the styling. The chassis is a mix of carbon-fibre and aluminium, which reportedly made it 40% lighter than a comparable steel structure. The total weight? Around 1,400 kg.

It also came with carbon-ceramic brakes, an electro-hydraulic braking system, and adaptive xenon headlights that turned with the steering input—pretty wild for 1999. Aerodynamically, the Vision SLR achieved a drag coefficient of 0.29, paired with a frontal area of just over 2 m².

Inside: Purpose Over Pomp

The cabin stayed true to the performance focus. Think carbon-fibre shell seats, analog dials, and clean metal surfaces. Nothing excessive, just purposeful. It did get Mercedes’ COMAND system, which was fairly new back then, but otherwise stayed clear of digital gimmicks.

Legacy: Concept to Reality

Unlike most design studies, the Vision SLR Roadster wasn’t forgotten. Its DNA filtered directly into the production Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which launched a few years later. Everything from the V8 layout to the braking setup made the jump, proving this wasn’t just a design exercise—it was a preview.

Final Words

The 1999 Vision SLR Roadster showed what happens when a design department and engineering team are both aiming for something real. The result? A concept that didn’t just sit under lights—it carved a path for one of the most iconic GTs of the 2000s. Still looks the part, too.

Technical Specification

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Performance

• Power: 557 hp (~410 kW) from the supercharged 5.4 L V8

• Torque: 720 Nm (531 lb-ft) between 2,000–4,000 rpm

• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 4.2 s; 0–200 km/h in 11.3 s

• Top Speed: ~320 km/h (199 mph)

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Body Measurements

• Length: 4,564 mm (179.7 in)

• Width: 1,878 mm (73.9 in)

• Height: 1,242 mm (48.9 in)

• Wheelbase: 2,660 mm (104.7 in)

• Track: Front 1,546 mm (60.9 in) / Rear 1,600 mm (63.0 in)

• Curb Weight: ~1,400 kg (3,086 lb)

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Powertrain

• Engine: 5.4 L supercharged V8 with air-to-water intercooler, SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder

• Transmission: 5-speed automatic with Touchshift/manual mode

• Drive Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

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Capacities & Technology

• Chassis: Lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium composite structure (–40% weight vs steel)

• Brakes: Carbon-ceramic discs with electro-hydraulic Sensotronic control

• Lights: Adaptive xenon headlights with cornering functionality; LED rear and neon-style brake lights

• Interior: Two carbon-fibre racing bucket seats; COMAND infotainment system

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Price

• Concept Status: Not sold commercially

• Related Production Model (SLR McLaren, 2004): Approx. €450,000 (~US $300,000 at launch)

Source