04/07/2008 01:26. Mercedes will send its SLR supercar out with a bang when it launches this sensational Speedster version at the Detroit motor show in January.

The Mercedes SLR Speedster is likely to be the last road car link between McLaren and Mercedes. It’s a roofless, windscreen-less chop top that’s 200kg lighter than the standard SLR, accelerates from 0-180mph in 26 seconds and tops out at an incredible 218mph.

Mercedes has cut as much weight from the standard SLR as possible, ditching its air conditioning system and using more carbon fibre in construction. It will also get carbon ceramic brakes a new track-derived exhaust system.

Set up primarily for straight-line... // Autocar