Fletcher Jones to debut limited-edition luxury car

Only about 500 of Mercedes-Benz’s new luxury roadster are expected to roll off the assembly line next year — and more than a dozen of them may land in Newport Beach garages.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, which has been in development for four years, is scheduled to make its debut in mid-November at the dealership at 3300 Jamboree Road. A Fletcher Jones spokeswoman said the dealership didn’t have a specific date set for the launch.

The 617-horsepower car has an estimated top speed of 208 MPH and can travel from zero to 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds. The McLaren Roadster is listed at $460,000.

“This new Mercedes-Benz ‘supercar’ is expected to shatter all expectations for speed, power, luxury and style, and we are delighted to be the first to offer it for sale in the U.S.,” General Manager Garth Blumenthal said in a news release. “Interest and demand for a convertible version of this ultra-exclusive automobile has been high and we have a waiting list for this vehicle for many years.”

— Michael Miller