Mercedes-Benz has officially came out and said it will end its partnership with McLaren when the agreement ends next year. On April 4, 2008 Mercedes-Benz officially announced they will end production of the SLR McLaren, a car jointly built by the two companies. The last SLR McLaren coupe rolled off the line at the end of 2007. The roadster will be discontinued in early 2009.
“The partnership ends in 2009, and it will not be renewed,” a Mercedes spokesman said.
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren will hook up one last time when they launch the SLR McLaren Speedster at the Detroit Auto Show. The car will limited to a 75 unit production run.
The SLR McLaren is said to be replaced by a premium flagship motor called the SLC, that Mercedes-Benz is working on with AMG. Inspired by the iconic 300GL Gullwing, power is expected to come from a 6.2L AMG V8 producing 600-hp.
Mercedes is likely to give the SLC a production run of 500 units, which is expected to take place at the Sindelfingen plant, near Stuttgart.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
