2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Manufactured between 2003 and 2010, their new SLR supercar allowed Mercedes-Benz and its then Formula 1 partner, McLaren, to showcase their collective experience in the development, construction, and production of high-performance sports cars. Built at Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance division, the SLR's engine is a 5.5-litre, 24-valve, supercharged V8 producing 617bhp, making it one of the most powerful ever found in a series-produced road-going sports car. Impressive though this peak horsepower figure is, it is the torque produced by this state-of-the-art 'blown' motor that is its most remarkable feature. The torque curve is almost flat: there is already 440lb/ft by 1,500 rpm and well over 500lb/ft between 3,000 and 5,000 revs.

Needless to say, the SLR McLaren delivers performance figures that are still among the best in its class. Taking just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h (62mph), it passes the 200km/h (125mph) mark after 10.6 seconds and from a standing start takes just 28.8 seconds to reach 300km/h (186mph). The two-seater has a top speed of 334km/h (207mph). The five-speed automatic transmission was specially optimised for very high torque while affording the choice of different shift characteristics using the Speedshift system.

The stylish roadster offered here is an example of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Edition. The '722' refers to the victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia of Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson, whose Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR had the starting number '722' (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.). The roadster variant of the 722 Edition was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show as the 722 S. The latter used the same engine and running gear as the coupé together with the standard SLR roadster's folding roof mechanism. Its performance was on a par with that of the closed coupé. The model went on sale in January 2009 and production was limited to 150 units.

Descriptions and pictures by bonhams