Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLC prototype revealed

Posted Wed Aug 8 2007 5:27 PM by Ralph Hanson

Earlier today, shots of a covered up Mercedes prototype surfaced showing an extremely low slung model with a long hood and small cabin sitting on the back of a trailer. Knowing the AMG officials on standby were preparing to test the car, spy photographers lay in wait for the first covers to come off. These are the first shots of the car uncovered revealing that Mercedes’ next super-sports car will have a front engine layout with similar proportions to the current SLR supercar.

Though the final version won’t resemble this test mule in any way (the car is wearing Dodge Viper mock panels), we can get a good idea of the final proportions of the car. Earlier in the year, Mercedes’ racing partner HWA announced that it was developing the carmaker’s next sports model but officials said it would be based on the next-gen SL platform.

The wheelbase of this test-mule was measured to be 106in and seeing that AMG engineers were testing the car and not HWA staffers, one could surmise that this could be a new opulent roadster for Maybach. Head over to the blog for all things auto to see the images in full by clicking here.

Reader Comments

Wed Aug 8 2007 6:51 PM
maddawg says

THATS A DODGE VIPER! gosh i swear people are like, they see a convoy of mercedes benz's to think "look, its a mercedes"

one look at the design cues, and the rear end, its all from a viper, its too smooth and round, mercedes has sharper edges on it
Wed Aug 8 2007 7:17 PM
rickybobby says

yea it looks like a viper at the back but the tailpipes have been relocated and the front look totally different. Also, the wheelbase has been greatly extended. Remeber that just recently mercedes split with chrysler who make the viper so this prototype is most likely built before the split became official.
Fri Aug 10 2007 2:48 PM
1artworkz says

That IS an warmed over Viper and has nothing to do with the line of vehicles produced
under the Mercedes Benz name.
Tue Aug 14 2007 3:24 AM
BANANA says

doods, maybe that is a viper, cause there ain't no emblem showing its mercedes. u never know.
Wed Aug 15 2007 6:52 PM
ultima says

I thought the point of a mule was to disguise it?? It may be a new MB with similar proportions to a viper
Mon Apr 14 2008 7:12 PM
dasupersprint says

I think it's a brilliant idea to hide a new car in development under another car's body panels, like a Viper. So it gets all you fooled!

Great.

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