Continuing the success of the 190 EVO.
At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Carlsson Autotechnik will showcase their new Mercedes-Benz SLK 340 JUDD race car that will be used in a variety of international races with the goal of continuing the success of the legendary 190 EVO models. Those are some hefty shoes to fill, but Carlsson has quite the experienced team behind its newest hill climb racer.
Project Managers Reto Meisel and Martin Burmeister, and their Swiss racing team, Meisel Motorsport, have worked with Carlsson to build the Mercedes-Benz SLK 340 JUDD and ensure that it will be one of the toughest competitors in the E1 class. Each Project Manager brings with them a hefty resume and background that has helped create a very capable Carlsson race car.
The entire SLK 340 JUDD race car was designed from the ground up starting with a clean body shell. And, just like any race car, it underwent a thorough weight-loss program to ensure maximum performance. All of the car’s aerodynamics were tested and developed using a wind tunnel resulting in an optimum balance of downforce and low drag. The entire aerodynamic kit is made out of carbon fiber and features all the race car goodies from splitters to side flics, air vents, diffusers, and a large rear wing. Even the underbody of the car was closed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
“We developed the design over a long period of time and with lots of feeling. We are proud of the awesome look,” said Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Markus Schuster, Managing Director of Carlsson Germany. “As an engineer, it is a pleasure to contribute to such a project, and we can show everything that is technically possible in the vehicle in cooperation with Carlsson.”
The incredibly low 1,720-lb. curb weight of the SLK 340 JUDD will be propelled by a 3.4-liter V-8 engine that only tips the scales at 264.5 lbs, itself. The race motor will produce 610 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. (430 Nm) of torque, and send that power to the rear wheels through a Hewland transmission with paddle shifters.
As the SLK 340 JUDD is conquering hills, its brakes and suspension will be eating up all kinds of asphalt, gravel, dirt, and more. Special BBS racing wheels in a 10.0 x 18 front and 13.0 x 18 rear fitment with AVON race tires ensure maximum traction and hide a set of ultra-lightweight brakes that keep weight to a minimum while providing a stiff bite. Ensuring that Maximum contact is made with the road is a KW competition suspension with three-way adjustability to allow for custom setups for a specific course.
Being a race car, the Carlsson team invested a great deal of time and effort into protecting the driver. The entire cockpit is protected by a complex safety cage along with racing seats that provide superb lateral support.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of accompanying and coordinating a race car, which started out as a vision on a piece of white paper, right from the beginning. There has never been a race touring car with such extreme performance and technical features,” said Reto Meisel, Project Manager and Driver. “Another goal is to participate with the Carlsson SLK 340 at the legendary Pikes Peak race in Colorado, USA. It will be an honor for us to compete internationally with the factory teams of Hyundai and Suzuki.”
The Carlsson Mercedes-Benz SLK 340 JUDD will make its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and be officially rolled out in the summer of 2013. The race car will compete in a variety of international hill climb competitions in the E1 class and hopefully (fingers crossed) Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
[Source: Carlsson]
What hill climbs would you like to see the Carlsson Mercedes-Benz SLK 340 JUDD compete in? Leave a comment and let us know!
