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Mercedes has now decided to go its own way with what is being called the Mercedes SLC. The SLC will be lighter and smaller than the SLR, and is expected to be powered by a new, turbocharged 6.2-liter V8 built by AMG. The new supercar might share parts with the future SL Black Series, reducing the financial burden of the engineering costs.

The new car will be engineered by HWA, a racing company established by Hans Werner Aufrecht, one of the founding partners in AMG, which was acquired by Mercedes in 1999. HWA is located in Affalterbach, the same small town where AMG builds its special editions for Mercedes.

Mercedes expects to unveil the SLC concept at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, and if all goes well, production will begin near Stuttgart as early as 2009. Meanwhile, the midengine McLaren F2 will now be a solo effort by the racing company's automotive division at the elaborate McLaren Technical Center in Woking, England.