The McLaren SLR - Essay Example

So let us take a look at the McLaren SLR including it’s body, motor, brakes and saftey measures. The engine capacity of McLaren SLR is 5.5 liter. It operates with two spark plugs per cylinder to increase the power of the ignition during combustion (Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, n.d.). It consists of Sensotronic brake system or electrohydraulic brake system. It should be noted that in conventional brake system, the driver is responsible for producing brake pressure whereas in Sensotronic brake system a brake fluid supplies the brake pressure.

Moreover, the brake disc of this car is manufactured from carbon-ceramic. In conventional cars, brake discs are manufactured from steel. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) is used for the construction of the body of this car. Even though light weighted, this materials provides enough strength to the car so that the driver may not feel any jerking or any other lightweight related problems while driving this vehicle fast. This car requires only 3.4 seconds to attain a speed of 100 km/h. Moreover it can cross 210 km/h mark within 11.2 seconds. Even though this car weighs around 2 tons, its fuel economy is very good.

McLaren Edition (2011), Stirling Moss (2009), Roadster 722 S (2009), 722 GT (2007) Roadster (2007) and 722 Edition (2006) are some of the models of cars introduced by McLaren SLR. In the latest models of McLaren SLR, innovative technologies are used with respect to suspension, breaking system, aerodynamics, interior and exterior systems. “The key modifications to the engine, which improve power by 15kW to 500kW (680hp) and add 10Nm for a total of 830Nm of torque” (McLaren 722 GT: Race Car Modifications, 2007) The latest McLaren SLR engine is capable of delivering high power and efficient torque.

Modern technologies such as screw type compressor help McLaren SLR engine to deliver high performance standards. This high performing V8 engine takes only 10.6 seconds to cross the 200km/h mark and 28.8 seconds to cross the 300km/h mark. Moreover, McLaren SLR can be driven at the top speed of 334km/h. The V8 engine is mounted on a slope position with the help of a strong aluminum frame. Features such as Water-type charge-air cooling, dry sump lubrication and catalytic converters help this car to deliver the goods.

Moreover, it has the ability to deliver torque of over 600 Newtonmetres, at 2000 rpm. The maximum available torque of this engine is 780 Newtonmetres at 3250 rpm (2003>2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 2012). For efficient cylinder charging, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a mechanical compressor and some aluminum rotors. These equipment are Teflon coated to avoid friction losses. As mentioned earlier, Sensotronic brake system is incorporated in this car to provide additional safety. This brake system has the ability to calculate optimum brake pressure needed while the car is moving at high speeds.

Various sensors are attached to the wheels of this car to calculate the speed of each wheel and apply the pressure needed to stop it. The coordination of Sensotronic brake system with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is done beautifully in this car. It should be noted that it is difficult to achieve such effective coordination of these two entities in high performing sports cars. However, the McLaren engineers succeeded in blending these two systems without compromising on the safety systems of the car.

Dynamic handling and