There’s no doubt that the Mercedes SLR McLaren (pictured at top right of this page) is a stunning piece of machinery. With the fastest automatic transmission in the world and 5.4 litre supercharged V8, it has enjoyed a storied ride since production began in 2003.

Last year, Mercedes announced it would halt production of the SLR (which stands for Sport, Light, Racing) and now we’ve gotten a glimpse of the final Mercedes McLaren, which is slated to roll off the line early in ’09.

This weekend, the German publication Auto Motor und Sport offered a full report of the final venture between Mercedes and McLaren. Only 75 units will be produced for the final SLR run, and the photos show us that this new incarnation is a dramatic departure from the stylish gull-winged McLaren we’ve come to know and love.

Instead, the final SLR will borrow inspiration from Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s 1955 300 SLR, which had an open-air construction … that means no roof or even a windshield. (Yes, ladies, this car is going to be hell on the hairdo.) Instead of a windshield, a small wind deflector will help divert some of that airflow, which suddenly makes a helmet seem like a good idea. Especially given this car’s ability to go from zero to 186 mph in 26 seconds.

Adding to its Spartan appeal, this last SLR also is leaving out touches like air conditioning and power windows, and the carbon plastic body will further reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. Removing the extras have given the car an eight mile an hour advantage over the more luxurious 722 Edition; the final SLR will be able to hit a top speed of 217.5 mph, compared to the paltry 209 mph of the 722.

If you can read German and want to get more details, you can read the entire Auto Motor und Sport story here. Meanwhile, I think I’ll go back to looking for a car with air conditioning. And visors. With vanity mirrors. Call me picky, but for $450,000, I really expect a windshield!

 The idea for On Wheels in Heels is one that has rolled around in my head for a couple of years – but one that I couldn’t ignore. As a freelance writer, I frequently meet women who are passionate about their cars, but I’ve found a noticeable lack of publications that are interested in covering automobiles from a female perspective.

Just as with most things in life, men and women approach cars differently. This truth was accentuated for me a week ago when I participated in one of World Class Driving’s luxury car tours. We spent Sunday morning near Bandera, Texas, at the wheel of such spectacular cars as the Mercedes McLaren (pictured at the top of this page), the Ferrari F430, the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, the Porsche 911 Twin Turbo and the new Audi R8. (I have to say, there are much worse ways to spend the day!)

Afterward, the men I talked to wanted to know how much horsepower the cars had and how fast we went; women talked about the beauty of the cars and wanted to know how they handled. Even when our interests are shared, I think the way the two genders appreciate their particular passions are approached completely different.

On Wheels in Heels is meant to be a place where women can discover more about luxury cars, but also check out the latest gadgets and accessories. (Because, as you know, even in a car, we must accessorize.) It’s a place to “ooh” and “aah” over great new cars and even learn a little bit about what’s happening with other female drivers.

I hope you’ll feel welcome to join the conversation or start one of your own; tell your friends and ask them to join us. Because, like most experiences in life, this journey was meant to be shared.