World of Wheels

The end of an era: Mercedes-Benz and McLaren building last Anglo-Teutonic SLR super sports car

The last examples of the SLR – the super sports car designed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive – are rolling off the assembly line now. The end of production is heavy with symbolism, as it also marks the finale of the partnership between the German and British companies, which spans 15 years and the highest levels of success on the Formula One circuit.

The modern SLR was intended as an homage to the legendary 300 SLR racecars of the 1950s. Commissioned by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, then head of passenger-car testing and racing-car development at Mercedes-Benz in 1955, it’s name stood for "sporty", "light" and "raceworthy.”

Famed drivers like Stirling Moss, Dennis Jenkinson, Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling all competed in the original SLR. They tackled famed races like the Tourist Trophy in Northern Ireland and the two Italian classics: Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia.

2011 Hyundai Sonata arrives at L.A. show

Hyundai took the wraps off its new 2011 Sonata yesterday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The North American intro of the sixth generation midsize sedan introduces the automaker’s new “Fluidic Sculpture” design language and an all-new, only four-cylinder, engine lineup.

The Sonata will debut early in 2010 with Hyundai’s new Theta II GDI 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI). It’s the first midsize sedan to adopt GDI technology as standard equipment in a naturally aspirated powertrain. Horsepower and torque will be 198 and 184 lb-ft, while delivering “class-leading” fuel economy.

Later in 2010, a 2.0-litre Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine will be added and a 2.4-litre Hybrid Blue Drive model using a lithium polymer battery pack. Details will be announced at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

Henderson out at GM

General Motors has announced that its president and CEO, Fritz Henderson, (above left) has resigned. He is the second head of GM to leave this year, following Rick Wagoner who was ousted by the Obama Administration during the automaker’s bankruptcy proceeding in March.

There’s no official word from GM why Henderson, 51, is leaving, but reportedly, part of the reason stems from the failed attempts to sell the Saturn and Saab brands, plus pulling out of a deal to sell the European Opel division to Canada’s Magna International last month.

In the interim, chairman Ed Whitacre (above right) will take the reigns at GM “while an international search for a new president and CEO begins immediately.”