Mercedes SLR

By Ross Pinnock

28th November 2007

Three is the magic number at Mercedes. This is the third version of the SLR McLaren coupé, and it’s the meanest yet!

The new model is called the 722 GT, and it will be very rare, with only 21 being built. However, you won’t see one on the road, because it’s not street-legal.

Developed by the experts at British engineering company Ray Mallock Limited, the 722 GT is a special edition for the super-rich. It was devised following a string of requests from existing SLR owners for an even faster version of the roadgoing 722.

With a revised supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine, the limited-run model produces 670bhp – up 29bhp. There’s also a massive 830Nm of torque. The powerplant is mated to the standard model’s five-speed automatic paddleshift box, but this has been beefed up for punishing track use.

The car has been stripped of all its luxury gadgets and tips the scales at 1,390kg, which is about the same as a Mercedes SLK. These changes provide the GT with blistering performance: 0-62mph takes 3.3 seconds – that’s three-tenths-of a second quicker than the 722.

However, the GT’s top speed is actually slower than the stan­dard machine, at 195mph. That’s due to aerodynamic upgrades, including a ground-hugging front airdam, wider front wings, lower side skirts, a large rear diffuser and a fixed back spoiler, which is des­igned to improve traction in corners. Handling is further enhanced by the car’s revised suspen­sion, which is fully adjustable, as well as its race-specification brakes.

Buyers also get lightweight 18-inch alloys, complete with competition-style centre locks designed for super-fast wheel changes. There’s even an on-board pneumatic jacking system to raise the car up during pitstops. Further additions include a full roll cage to boost safety, along with new instrumentation and bucket seats with six-point racing harnesses.

Prices for the SLR McLaren 722 GT are expected to be around £550,000. And lucky owners will get plenty of opportunity to enjoy their upgraded models, because the cars will participate in the SLR Club Trophy. This one-make race series will be contested at some of the top circuits across Eur­ope. The SLR Club is an exclusive owners’ organisation chaired by Merc­edes boss Dieter Zetsche.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.