The Mercedes Answer to the Audi R8? The SLR Successor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
  • 16 comments
  • 1,263 views
YSSMAN

YSSMAN

Super-Cool Since 2013
Premium
Messages
21,286
United States
GR-MI-USA
Messages
YSSMAN
Messages
YSSMAN
LLN.com
The Audi R8 supercar won't be unveiled until late September, but Mercedes is already planning a competitor to the high-performance two-seater, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. Like the R8, the new Mercedes will feature a mid-engine configuration. Power could come from a version of the AMG division's new 6.2-liter V8. Rumors of a Mercedes model fitting this description first surfaced in 2004. However, the then-rumored 2008 Mercedes P8 was expected to cost around $200,000. Reports later surfaced that the project had been cancelled. If AMS is right, it would seem Mercedes has revived its mid-engine sports car program, but this time the $100,000 Audi R8 and the Porsche 911 will be the target, rather than the Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari F430. A production version of the car isn't expected until 2010. (Schulte/Nextline put together an illustration of how such a car could look, but it is believed to be pure speculation based on these rumors).
Click to expand...



Hmmmm... I dunno about this one. Mercedes seems like a company that is better suited to a FR GT setup as compared to the mid-engined supercar realm, but it will be interesting to see what comes of it. The R8 will become a big target for not only Mercedes, but BMW as well, so I'm sure we can expect plenty of hypothetical models in the near future.
 
Looks like ****, I'll keep my SLR thank you very much.
 
Looks like the Audi Le Mans concept with a Mercedes badge... Some lazy artist's impression there, methinks.
 
Photoshop skills over at Autobild seem to be sliding off just a bit with their past few attempts at predicting the future...

But hey, its fun posting and talking about them!
 
Why doesn't autobild just wait for official Concepts?
 
Wheres the fun in that? American automotive magazines are just as guilty, Car and Driver having the "Z2" from BMW showing up on their "Front Page" section.
 
I like how it looks, but it looks like the grill from the side near the front on the SLR has been moved back.
 
Maybe Audi shouldn't call their little baby the R8 because I think of that dominating LMP whenever I see "R8" mentioned. As far as this Mercedes weapon goes, this may be one of the first recent Mercedes that I don't like all that much. I was one of the few people that liked the SLR McLaren. I liked the design even if it was outlandish and unconventional among Mercedes-Benz models. Some of you may remember one of the last mid-engined Mercedes-Benz model prior to this. Yes, I'm talking about the CLK-GTR from back around 1997 or 1998. I am a Mercedes-Benz fan. I think most companies would want to... you know, try something new or go out of bounds a bit. I normally think of luxurious and alluring sedans and coupes when I think Mercedes-Benz. This is more like a DNA imbalance of the CLS and a mid-engined exotic or superexotic everywhere else. Will it work? That remains to be seen.

The report seemed to indicate that this is going after the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Ferrari F430. I would probably take either the Lambo or the Ferrari over this Mercedes-Benz deal here. And I'd even go with the F430 in the Gallardo/F430 on personal preference. It will be interesting to see if this Mercedes-Benz will hang with or even beat out its competition in the coming years. Out of 100% approval, I'll be a bit modest. I'll give it 80% approval.
 
JohnBM01
Maybe Audi shouldn't call their little baby the R8 because I think of that dominating LMP whenever I see "R8" mentioned.
Click to expand...
Um... I'm pretty sure that's WHY Audi named it the R8.

That Benz though..... Mercades needs to stick to FR Luxo coupes. Not mid-engines beasts. I'm frankly suprised the SLR was even built.
 
The P8 has been rumoured since 1999, and its been cancelled, and then revived again about a half dozen times now according to magazines.
 
Audi should put a lawsuit on them for that shape!


lotus would!
 
Talking about artist's originality, then look at this half-ass Carrera GT wannabe; A terrific P8 fake.

mercsusp_t040903g,0.jpg


Nevertheless, the original conceptual design looked just as bad.

p8.jpg
 
I wish Merc would drop that 'gonzo nose' nod to F1 they use for the SLR & SLK, it's such a cheesy design answer.
 
Lose the Gonzo Schnoz and use the C111 design cues instead.
 
YSSMAN
Wheres the fun in that? American automotive magazines are just as guilty, Car and Driver having the "Z2" from BMW showing up on their "Front Page" section.
Click to expand...

But atleast it doesnt look a sorry as that!

When they do that, it looks ORIGINAL!
 
...Wasn't AMG working on a mid-engined version of the SLR before it was the SLR, or am I mistaken? I think thats what upset the folks at McLaren if I remember correctly. The Germans wanted to stick to the FR Coupes, the Britons wanted a MR coupe.

I'd stick to the FR formula if I was Mercedes, as it really is the only layout that "makes sense" in their lineup. They may as well do a "super" SLR and call it a day, that way they won't confuse us anymore...
 
Poverty
The P8 has been rumoured since 1999, and its been cancelled, and then revived again about a half dozen times now according to magazines.
Click to expand...

Sounds like Jaguar's biennial F-Type. I suppose both will show up at the next Geneva show again? ;)
 
Back