Track-day specials from Ferrari and Mercedes McLaren revisited

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

Traditionally track-day specials are spartan, minimalistic machines predominantly built on the British Isles. Ferrari showed little respect for that tradition by turning the Enzo supercar in a circuit racer. Mercedes Benz followed suit late last year with a 'cup' version of the SLR McLaren. Both cars were not built to competition regulations, so they could not be used in major events.
Ferrari's 1.5 million Euro FXX was launched in 2005 to be not just a toy for the very rich but also as a development platform. The lessons learned by the first two years of campaigning the cars were applied to form the FXX Evoluzione. Launched late in 2007, the 'Evoluzione' sported a more powerful engine, a faster gearbox and a more efficient paddle-shift gearbox. The existing cars were upgraded and prepared for the 2008 season. We caught up with one of the program's outings earlier this year and captured this colourful gallery.
In 2007 Mercedes Benz called in the help of motor sport specialists RML to turn the beefy SLR '722' into a circuit monster for the highly exclusive SLR.Club. The result was a ferocious sounding and aggressive looking SLR '722' GT. The outings of the 680 bhp racing car have not been as public as the FXX program, so it is hard to say if the 21 prospected cars have been built. We shot the 722 GT at its Essen launch in 2007 and during the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Enjoy the links:

2007 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione - Images, Specifications and Information

2007 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren '722' GT - Images, Specifications and Information

Regards,
Wouter Melissen

[LTSmash]

You know, that Merc looks cool with the whole McLaren F1 livery approach; but it's a God damn auto! Where's the 'ultimate' fun factor in that?

[clutch-monkey]

actually, i've been curious as to that. what cars has mercedes produced in manual in recent times?

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

actually, i've been curious as to that. what cars has mercedes produced in manual in recent times?

The production base DTM that came out a few years ago. It was a sequential. I think that was the most recent.

EDIT: Speedshift 5 speed Automatic

Nevermind then.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

The production base DTM that came out a few years ago. It was a sequential. I think that was the most recent.

AFAIK the only sequential gearbox used by a road going MB is the CLK GTR (both coupe and roadster presumingly) and just ebcause it was basically a race car. all the others are automatic gearbox or automated manual gearbox.
there a very few sequential gearboxes on the road...and I can't think of any right now.

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

AFAIK the only sequential gearbox used by a road going MB is the CLK GTR (both coupe and roadster presumingly) and just ebcause it was basically a race car. all the others are automatic gearbox or automated manual gearbox.
there a very few sequential gearboxes on the road...and I can't think of any right now.

Good to know. I just ASSumed that the road version would be one too since the racer is.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

Good to know. I just ASSumed that the road version would be one too since the racer is.

those are basically two completely different car. tbh, the race dtm car has just the look (slightly) in common with the road going car, both for the C-Klasse or the CLK.

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

those are basically two completely different car. tbh, the race dtm car has just the look (slightly) in common with the road going car, both for the C-Klasse or the CLK.

Then why even bother badging it DTM if its just for the shell? At least do something like Ferrari and use your racing technology in your road cars. Anyway, that company (Merc) doesn't make any sence, only making autos...

[Bleeding Heart]

They badged it the DTM because it looked like their DTM race car... It also has a higher top speed...

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

Then why even bother badging it DTM if its just for the shell? At least do something like Ferrari and use your racing technology in your road cars. Anyway, that company (Merc) doesn't make any sence, only making autos...

I suppose the CLK DTM was just a sort of celebration, but it was reportedly a better car than the SLR considering its performance, but it was also mortified but the always-present ESP.
for as regards gearboxes, I'm not sure if MB really needs a fake sequential for their sportier cars., the AMG I mean, only the Black Series (and the SLR perhaps) would really gain something. the standard AMG cars are fast, sporty and so on, but still a MB, so "comfy fast rocket" it's a better definition, and as far as their new 7 speed is fast and good, I'm fine. an electro-actuated manual gearbox would bring a felling of a major connection between the driver and the road, something more mechanical and consistent, but maybe too harsh considering that car is going to be quite slow for the main part of its life. I bet MB knows his customers, and my opinion about them, is they want/deserve an auto. I would really like an SLR, and I'm fine with the automatic, after all, I think it's more of a fast GT than a pure sport/super car, marketing bulls***s aside.
surely, the CLK DTM, and the Black Series cars would need something more, and so perhaps the SLR 722.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Heart

They badged it the DTM because it looked like their DTM race car... It also has a higher top speed...

it's not that they designed the car and then suddenly said "hey dude, it looks exactly like the DTM race car, let's call it DTM!"

for as regards the top speed, you should consider the different downforce the race car generates, and the different gear ratios used for each race, let alone the fact that it is simply faster, no matter of the top speed.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

You know, that Merc looks cool with the whole McLaren F1 livery approach; but it's a God damn auto! Where's the 'ultimate' fun factor in that?

What's the difference between this and a clutchless manual in terms of fun?

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

actually, i've been curious as to that. what cars has mercedes produced in manual in recent times?

Most models up to the E-class are available with a manual in Europe.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

What's the difference between this and a clutchless manual in terms of fun?

Most models up to the E-class are available with a manual in Europe.

I would feel a little uncomfortable changing gear without pushing the clutch?s pedal. not funny.

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

What's the difference between this and a clutchless manual in terms of fun?

You know, I just have an affinity to the H pattern, clutch and all. I guess that's why I've always opted for the Porsche. It's a dying breed though. Plus my parents had Merc's when I was growing up and I just never felt them to be as engaging when I drove them.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

You know, I just have an affinity to the H pattern, clutch and all. I guess that's why I've always opted for the Porsche. It's a dying breed though. Plus my parents had Merc's when I was growing up and I just never felt them to be as engaging when I drove them.

I like proper manuals too.

But between a flappy paddle auto (SLR) and a flappy paddle manual (FXX) I can't quite see the difference in terms of fun...