Mercedes McLaren SLR vs McLaren 540C: DRAG RACE & 0-100-0 Race

The Mercedes McLaren SLR is one of the most incredible supercars of all time. But how does this "Old McLaren" compare to a NEW McLaren? We lined the SLR up against the company's entry-level supercar, the 540C for a drag rag race, a rolling race and a 0-100-0 race to see wether old or new would come out on top.
Got something you'd like us to drag race? Get in touch via social media! @autotraderuk or @mrroryreid
Looking for your next car? Auto Trader will help make finding your next vehicle easier than ever. Compare expert car reviews and recommendations, and find your perfect car through our official KZbin channel.
Auto Trader: www.autotrader...
Check back for the latest new car reviews on everything from SUVs to supercars, plus
✅ the latest car news
✅ top tips and car advice
✅ used and new car guides
✅ best-ofs
Subscribe for more from Auto Trader UK: bit.ly/1AqiIny
Want to be the first to see our new videos? Enable notifications
Looking for more inspiration? 🚗
• Auto Trader: www.autotrader...
• Facebook: / autotraderuk
• Twitter: / autotrader_uk
• Instagram: / autotraderuk
• Pinterest: www.pinterest....
Mercedes McLaren SLR vs McLaren 540C: DRAG RACE & 0-100-0 Race

[@AutoTraderTV]

What OLD vs NEW drag race do you want to see next? ⬇️

[@tourqeboyrb2675]

Auto trader ,Rory Reid driving the craziest nissan gtr please

[@josh_bfc_2769]

Carrera GT and Lexus LFA

[@ARDEN440i]

Lotus Carlton vs E92 M3

[@yogimunte1854]

Carrera GT vs 911 Turbo S

[@theman-yx7yu]

SUV DRAG RACE: AUDI Q7 GENERATION BATTLE

[@gordonmccartney5648]

"see how much you can save at Carwo..." oh! wrong channel.

[@burropoco]

Iron sharpens Iron. Let's face it we love both channels. I'm especially lovin' this new format AutoTrader.

[@nileshprince5631]

😂😂

[@pollumG]

@RS2002 yep

[@anilnair2911]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Honestly I feel like Rory, Mat, and Yanni should team up to bring their own version of car reviewing. It will be amazing

[@devansh7514]

@@anilnair2911 they would be like the Top Gear trio, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May!

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

Mercedes - McLaren has still a top notch design. Wonderful car.

[@YTdelsCmts4NoRsn]

They went all out on the styling and the power. As if they really wanted to put a weapon on the road. Maybe it's "slow" compared to modern supercars but at the same time you could say that about any car of the early 2000s. Except the Veyron or the Enzo perhaps. I love the car for what it is, even if I can never afford one.

[@Lex24HD]

Gorden Wagener and his design team in Mercedes created that beautiful body. For me, it's literally a timeless design.

[@Johny40Se7en]

So gorgeous AND cool innit.

[@meanlean3095]

With a 7 speed twin clutch gearbox the slur will run close to a 650s…

[@martinharper2215]

feel like I am watching Carwow. Need a Rory vs Mat Watson drag race.

[@moominpupa]

And Yianni

[@LOSTBOI2654]

Yes

[@austinoakley7391]

I think Rory, Matt, and Yanni would make for an epic video!

[@rbaaj7776]

and his mom

[@sivvinod3187]

Rory, Matt and Yanni, the off-brand (and way better) top gear.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

I think I know the winner, but I still want the SLR.

[@bigboy5849]

The guy in the SLR did not drag race properly

[@win-64]

@@bigboy5849 even if he did the McLaren would surely win

[@richboy900]

100%. The only McLarens more desirable than an SLR is an F1 and a P1 imo

[@hsrperformance55]

@@bigboy5849 it’s just it’s the higher gears where the slr really pulls as that the 5 speed gearbox may be slow but the gears are really long

[@TheJube97]

@@richboy900 I mean 720s or Senna atleast would be aswell.

[@doctorsoncars1393]

"So, what exactly happened?"

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

A race happened, you’re a fricken Doctor!

[@gerryakbar]

Not exactly, but you can see at 4:41

[@stellarprojects4822]

I'll tell you what happened. The SLR lost due to old tires. Old tires get slippery. With a new set of tires SLR and 540C are an identical match in performance. Plus, the SLR is built for higher speeds. It's not a 1/4 mile machine. Let's have a rematch on a mile (1600 meters). Remember, the SLR has a higher top speed than 540C. The SLR is still the king.

[@pearce9853]

The SLR is my dream car. Give me a 722 over any modern day equivalent any day!!

[@pointbreak24]

It's so ugly tho

[@pearce9853]

@@pointbreak24 each to their own opinion, I think it’s such a timeless design. To say it’s a 20 year old design, it looks pretty fucking good to me

[@Ren_1106]

Yes. Give me also a Mercedes Mclaren SLR 722.

[@mengienghinamwaami4894]

A 722 and I’ll just change out the transmission some how, you’ll have and awesome machine

[@pr-tj5by]

@@pointbreak24 You sound like a Millennial

[@63Jax]

SLR is still the most beautiful Merc ever made.

[@YTdelsCmts4NoRsn]

Totally agreed. And that supercharger whine... just amazing

[@bigboy5849]

Granturismo 4 days

[@YTdelsCmts4NoRsn]

@@bigboy5849 And Most Wanted, and Carbon, and Hot Pursuit 2010... this car got in many games, and I'm glad it did

[@zumamohamed9195]

Sls for me

[@injin5557]

You forgot about the 300sl gullwing

[@jiasd123]

Coming for carwows necks but I am not complaining one bit 😂

[@AutoTraderTV]

👀

[@brensound9826]

well if the formula works take it. 😂😂 ,Good job AutoTrader now you need to invite much more exciting and well known people to race against.

[@phixxter6575]

AutoTrader 👀👀

[@abishek4300]

The main proble, with the SLR is its 5 speed auto! with a mercedes dual clutch! that thing will smoke most of the supercars!

[@truth9375]

Distance was simply too short for the SLR to stretch it's legs in either situation.

[@udipta21]

SLR sound, is a top 10 of all time. Easy to choose between these two.

[@MeganoOdles]

Where was Matt Watson? 🤣

[@burropoco]

Tbf Raj has almost got the Yianni look together but needs to wear a sweatshirt not a fleece and needs a bling watch on his wrist.

[@abdelsalamd369]

The SLR still hanging with the 540 C but that old SLR is real Treasure

[@zacherychristiaan6374]

Matt finally inspired Rory to include drag races on the channel...

[@chubbsmasterson]

SLR is just a godly machine, still would choose that thing anyway over the Mclaren, despite the performance difference

[@saimadhav9898]

Idk but Carwow feels good than any other drag races

[@staney7831]

I feel like Rory should have been fair and not use launch control in His car.

[@epicpvper9379]

540c will probably win though I know which car I'd much rather have....

[@jackoalltrades5510]

Very happy to see Rory shine and become relevant to us motor heads. He was suffocated on TG, and that was and still is a delusional effort from the BBC to try and replicate what the three stooges did. Keep pushing Rory, you're one of us and are enough on your own!

[@monsieurlazer48]

100% I hate that they made him seem like an idiot just so they could have three distinct personalities. Rory is an amazing presenter and reviewer and I'm glad he's able to show the real him.

[@75krobert]

at least the SLR won't break down every 5 seconds

[@apache1234657]

oh it does (some engine problems)

[@CanyonsCarver]

@@apache1234657 no it doesn't, I have a neighbor who daily drives his SLR for 10 years and he says that thing is reliable as any of his other mercedes.

[@bmm760036]

As a variation to standard tests, it would be good to add a 1/2 mile drag race. Still a great vid from Rory and the team.

[@yourmemes9766]

when Matt sees these video be like " buuuuggeerrrrrr "

[@Anonymous-vy9ey]

The 540c is the lost McLaren most people don’t know about..

[@magnustan841]

Because people just step up into the 570S, even though it costs a lot more. So yeah, 540C is good value considering what you get. Just ask Mr Seen Through Glass...

[@Anonymous-vy9ey]

Magnus Tan exactly

[@pmwaffle9348]

Magnus Tan I’m pretty sure it was a weaker version for Asian markets. I dont think it’s available in the US.

[@7415_Gamer]

SLR still stuns today. It has a beautiful front and back design.

[@darrenstone3693]

I remember watching Clarksons trip across Europe in an SLR. Epic👍

[@ytytyt2516]

Waiting for McLaren 765 LT Drag Race 🏁

[@dragospahontu]

The gearbox is the let down Long ratios and a DCT looses basically nothing from the engine to the wheels, contrary to an Auto.

[@giannisdiamantopoulos2747]

You do great car reviews and other staff, but drag races.....no. Leave those for @carwow

[@_M27_]

One of my all time favourite cars. That SLR is such a beautiful car. What would happen if it was made today🤔?

[@jeanhubsch4757]

Y’all know you would rather own the SLR 😁 That thing is epic!

[@eyedeasneverdie3348]

Rory, Matt and & Yanni were the top gear presenters we deserved. Hope Rory can team up with them on a drag race at some point and have a crossover event to rival the MCU

[@ioio90]

SLR is the best ! ! ! The sound is genuine

[@ChristoAbrie]

the SLR is an absolute beast, for a 20yrld car to nearly match a new supercar is outstanding. plus it does it all in comfort as well as the outstanding build quality and reliability.

[@dr_addyman]

Missing mat in this carwow drag race..

[@abishek4300]

its not a carwow drag race! but i miss mat on every drag race!

[@fuego7023]

😂😂😂 mat invented the drag race.. he says😂😂😂

[@Ferretts89]

As a former caddy and lifelong golfer, I dispute rory's judgment of 150 yards. It was like 40, no way that distance was a full 9 iron.

[@rforracing]

Slr got a head start in the third race 4:05. Basically you just didn't want the SLR owner to feel bad.

[@MarcSob22]

1/4 mile is a idiots race!! Why not use all track?

[@mas5621]

Like the whole mile but 3 parts 1/4 win has greater lauch Half mile win has greater acc. Full mile win greater top speed

[@armoris66]

SLR = Supercar royalty that will never stop turning heads.....and that sound!! Nuff said.

[@markbrisec3972]

It's incredible how much the sports car technology has evolved in 15 years. Besides the aerodynamics, the greatest leap was of course in electronics, from the launch control and ESC to the more advanced dual clutch transmission systems. An electric supercars in 2030 will make the McLaren of 2020 look like a child. Hell, the EV hypercar of today has obliterated the top of the line hybrid ICE/EV car of today.. Just take a look what Rimac Nevera did to a Ferrari F90 hypercar sporting 1000 HP.. Nevera obliterated the pinnacle of Maranello's effort.

[@xXMrFreshIceXx]

Sikh brother owns an SLR!!

[@barneyrubble9309]

Hope you're paying Matt Watson some copywrite fees.

[@blazzz13]

For what? Watson doesn't own the drag race format.

[@michaelroditis7300]

At 0:44 there was a missed opportunity to call the SLR the "Mac-Daddy"

[@casey2732]

OLD all the way!!!!! It was great car. With Enzo and Carrera GT it was amazing time for supercars.

[@George_Shonia]

Old one is so much elegant that McLaren looks like a car from the cartoon... Astonishingly beautiful

[@exoticsautoclub9329]

Sensational car that is very underrated! True collector piece is SLR 722, only 150 cars in the world of which only 24 allocated to US.

[@antonykinuthia591]

Please compare the SLR with SLS. That would be great to see which one wins

[@thureintun1687]

that iconic slr mclaren supercharger scream tho Remind me of old days, movie Rush and NFS Carbon

[@cmdrtianyilin8107]

The Sound of the Supercharged V8. That sound... that sound...

[@manman464]

The weight and the transmission and the lunch control makes a huge difference

[@sultanalmehairbi414]

The 0-100-0 race is not the stopping power, the SLR lost because it took more time to reach 100... you should do a stopping race from a line at 100 and I believe the SLR will be victorious in that with the ceramic and air brakes.

[@thewaywardgrape3838]

I honestly didn't know Mercedes made a convertible version of the SLR! I reckon that's a very rare car.

[@Itielbryce]

The difference warm tires make, amazing

[@rdoak10]

I must say...I'm smitten w/the Benz/McLaren ride. Classic motorcar looks and a lotta muscle! Great video as well!

[@sportzntouring]

The SLR did well!! Better than I expected!

[@dutchdna]

To me, the SLR is the most beautiful 2-door coupe ever made. Period.

[@weallfollowmanutd]

Just imagine that SLR with a dual clutch. I'm.sure it would be even on the standing starts and the SLR would edge ahead in rolling starts.

[@yasir11]

Mclaren offer their 7 speed gearbox for the SLR now. Would turn that car into a monster

[@netty2981]

I'm not a fan of the modern Mclarens at all. But, I respect the speeds theses Mclarens can hit. The SLR will always have a timeless design to me, It's just the gearbox that kinda lets the SLR down.

[@darkbassi5911]

Was watching the matt Watson 135i, a35, s3 video..... Seen this below in the recommended. Had to click on it.

[@aumpauskar4653]

SLR is very much the hypercar of the 2000s alongside the Carrera GT, the Enzo Ferrari, and the Zonda but the only thing that holds it back is the 5-speed torque converter auto. Just imagine the car with a 7-speed DCT.

[@GarryMcGovern]

The look of that SLR is timeless - I've already forgotten what the 540 looks like (or is it a 570? 600? 650??? Dunno, they all look the same to me!).

[@Deuteross]

The ancient 5-speed automatic gearbox is what lets the SLR down. This beast still looks the part, though.

[@swb7161]

Raj, legend!

[@CardiganSnoopy]

Rory Reid, Mat Watson and Joe Achilles would be the best potential drivers trio, dare I say even better than the Grand Tour trio...

[@limericklad2000]

SLR jumped the start on both the final 1/4 mile drag race and the 0-100-0 race.

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, the McLaren might be faster... but who cares? The SLR is just so iconic... A car people will actually remember

[@Runoratsu]

It‘s not just the LC and the transmission-the 540C has a mid-rear engine, whereas the SLR has a mid-front. That puts much more weight on the 540‘s rear tires, especially during acceleration, and thus gives you massively more grip in a rwd car.

[@SINGH-ing]

That car and it’s design are just timeless.

[@JamalPennant]

A idea to spice up the drag race vids , give lower powered car like Honda civic type r a 5 second head start against a higher powered car McLaren. As you already knowthe quarter mile times of both you can calculate and get some really tense races as it will be down to the driver reactions to catch up in time.🤔

[@shadman1024]

Camera angles aren’t good as carwow which feels so real

[@milinddixit6583]

Not sure if they have the space, but a longer rolling race like CarWow do would be good. Shows the difference at higher speeds.

[@huzziraza5482]

Amazing how the SLR is still an impressing car ❤️

[@shubhajitsinhjahagirdar2801]

Mercedes Maclaren SLR is the epitome of automotive beauty I will take the SLR Any day all day instead of any supercar The only production car from Mercedes- maclaren joint venture

[@rkeithh5]

Is there a view of the speedo on the 0-100-0? Because he counted up 60, 70, 80, 100 at an even pace. Unless he wasn't accurate with the pace of his counting, he just skipped right over 90 before slamming on the brakes, which would explain the huge gap.

[@badman3456213]

I was so close to buying this Orange McLaren 540c. I remember calling the person who owned it, who lived in Belfast. I found myself a better spec 540c in grey, but the Orange is definitely something special!

[@t-macadventures8255]

540c also has much faster depreciation 👍

[@nickcowen4565]

this is a gd carwow vid

[@Kanalhnt]

Nah this is way better than carwow

[@Brickinasock]

@@Kanalhnt I don't think so

[@Kanalhnt]

@@Brickinasock it actually is

[@Brickinasock]

@@Kanalhnt Don't what?

[@cartik4296]

@@Kanalhnt lol its not and it never will

[@SuperViktorov]

Rolling race was pretty much in a short distance... If the race was 1 mile .. The slr would murder the mclaren... The transsmission in the slr is slow and affect the race in that distance ... Anyways.. Good content. I would take the slr anytime over any mclaren.

[@Chris-qp3nj]

I really liked this channel and i still do but dont copy carwow please thats just low ☹️

[@abhinavajit821]

There's a lot of channels who do drag races so I wouldn't say they copied

[@TDRE88]

You’re crazy man, more races just means more rewards for us fans

[@abishek4300]

Drag races are fine but carwow does better bro! carwow drag races are so detailed! carwow drag races gives us most of the perspectives of the car! autotrader.... the editing have a long way to go... and all the races must be fair!

[@gudu12321]

Great video as usual... But you could tell that in the last race the Mercedes launched before the Mclaren...

[@SMDH.2204]

13 years gap in R&D is no joke!!

[@Blebona]

I didn't see that last tun coming. Control is key

[@insayn7995]

SLR is absolutely drop dead gorgeous

[@nyckae8587]

British people: Mercedes Mclaren SLR Me with pride: The Mercedes SLR Mclaren..(Mclaren is said with immense emphasis btw)

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

This SLR owner can't drive. Proven by his inconsistency. He should have done a long burnout and lowered the rear tire pressure a bit. Before launch control algorithms a man had to be well versed in his machine's best technique. For Christ's sake he didn't even roll the windows up 1st race. Race mode doesn't deactivate ESP completely either in the SLR cars- you have to physically pull the fuse out. Brake torque the engine at 3000rpm to explode off the line? He's dumb to the fact and incompetent.

[@CarToneHK]

Just shows how heavily compromised SLR was saddle with Merc parts, Gordon Murray must be fuming with the restrictions from Mercedes

[@adnaanu]

Yes,you are correct. I remember reading an interview with Gordon Murray on the SLR development and he wasn't happy with the directions imposed on him and Mclaren.

[@joshwalton1120]

Mclarens are very underrated when it comes to HP so the “540” probably makes 600 minimum

[@sakhelemadolo8676]

Was a beast? This car is very beautiful. I like the car, I'd buy it now if I had the money to buy it. I don't mind the speed compared to the other one. Beautiful.

[@edward2030]

It's the transmission, with the DCT you have a shorter ratios with 7 gears, the merc has only 5 gears and long ratios

[@samwillett6950]

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating" That's the actual saying. Just passing through letting people know to stop misquoting it. "The proof is in the pudding" means nothing

[@Mcmarty130485]

Hmm pretty sure Rory's guilt for beating the SLR caused him to miss at least 2 shifts in the 3rd race, sitting on the limiter tooo long.

[@DavidChong]

wow that braking difference is bonkers

[@ImmortalRises]

You’re comparing a supercar from nearly 20 years ago to a modern day sports car. It’s electronically better, it’s components such as gearbox, engine, brakes and everything will be sharper. It’s like comparing a Performante to a Gallardo.

[@YusufGinnah]

Respect... The SLR is still the winner in my books... 👍🏼

[@AugustoV8Cesar]

Remember the Mercedes-SLR McLaren weight 1,782 while the maclaren 540c is 1540.

[@amzace]

Rory is smashing it on auto trader top gear lost out hardddd

[@borisyurinov4822]

You can tell Raj is bored. Man usually flies a carpet

[@strawdemindset]

I forgot they were even selling the 540C, thought that line was dead a long time ago.

[@kristianpoulsen4121]

This is yoga without having to move a muscle - massage for the body and soul. Love your work!