(Fri 19 Dec 08)

Mercedes-Benz is about to replace its current SLR supercar with a new version named in honour of motorsport legend Sir Stirling Moss, who raced for the Germany company in the mid-1950s.

Production will switch from one to the other in June next year. The Moss machine is noticeably more open than its predecessor (it has neither roof nor windscreen) and is terribly, terribly fast - top speed is 217mph, and 0-62mph is estimated to take less than 3.5 seconds thanks to its 650bhp supercharged V8 engine.

As with other SLRs, this one has a closed underbody and a rear diffuser, though the diffuser is larger than on the coupé and roadster models to create extra downforce. In a nod to technology which was briefly tried at Le Mans half a century ago, there is also an airbrake which is raised during heavy braking at speeds above 75mph to create aerodynamic drag and slow the car down even more effectively.

Just 75 models will be sold - and only to the most loyal of existing SLR customers - at a price of €750,000 each, or around £710,000 at the current exchange rate.

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