Just weeks after F1 driver David Coulthard described life behind the wheel of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLR (AW, May 12), Mercedes is offering this first sans camouflage glimpse of its two-seat supercar.

The $400,000 McLaren-built coupe, which makes its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, is shown alongside its inspiration, the legendary 300 SLR that carried Stirling Moss to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia.

Note that the production SLR retains the same F1-inspired styling of the concept car, including side exhaust ducting. The carbon fiber-bodied SLR, powered by a 600-hp version of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 used in the SL55, is said to hit 60 mph in less than four seconds and reach a top speed of 205 mph.