2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S SpecificationsDrivetrain

Layout Front Engine, RWD

Transmission 5 Speed High Torque-Capable Automatic

Brakes Carbon Fiber/Ceramic Brake Disc

Engine

Engine Type Supercharged V8, Handbuilt by AMG

Displacement 5.5 liters

Horsepower 650 bhp Torque 605 lb-ft.

Exterior

Body Type 2 Door, 2 Seat Roadster

Wheels Lightweight 19-inch Forged Aluminium

Material Aluminum Frame, Carbon Fiber Body

The Glorious Return of SLR

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Speculation has been rampant the future of the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren. Many sports car news outlets said the SLR McLaren was dead, to make way for new halo Benz sports cars to come. They were wrong. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S is the most exciting car to come from one of the world's most exciting automakers since the SLR McLaren 722 Edition hard top car in 2007.

The German luxury sports car manufacturer reserves its "722" marque for its most exclusive supercars, and the new McLaren looks absolutely stunning in the first official press pics. Much more than just a pretty face, the SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S may just hold the title of world's fastest true convertible when it is released next January.

SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S Engine by AMG

Delving into the performance specs that make the 2009 SLR 722 S so unique starts with the engine. The supercharged 5.5 liter V8 is hand-built by AMG along with the engines used in the new SL 65 AMG Black Series. It was only in the recent past that AMG began building the engines for the Benz high performance division's cars in-house, by hand. The result is an out-of-this-world power output of 650 horsepower and 605 lb-ft. of torque.

Specs like these are enough to take the featherweight SLR McLaren 722 Roadster 722 S from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, all the way up to a top speed of 208 mph. In the modern horsepower wars, there are many supercars with performance numbers like the McLaren 722. It is its bold and unique styling that sets the German wonder apart.


The SLR McLaren Evolved - More Than Just a Chop Job

While Bugatti opted for a Targa-style removable roof panel for its open-air supercar, the Veyron Grand Sport, Mercedes-Benz AMG and McLaren have engineered the SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S for high speed driving with its soft top raised or lowered. The top is made from a "high tech material," says Mercedes-Benz, with a woven look that blends right in with all the carbon fiber on the new SLR.

Safety for occupants is always a pertinent issue when traveling more than 200 miles per hour with the top down. The expected on-demand roll bars are included, of course, and Mercedes-Benz/McLaren ensure that this car has sufficient passive safety features to keep its drivers... alive... in the event of a crash.


Super Limited Run Fitting of the SLR 722 Name

The first SLR McLaren 722 Edition sold out faster than Superbowl tickets, leaving Mercedes-Benz's most rich and discerning customers clamoring for more. Only 150 examples of the 2009 Roadster 722 S will be released, becoming available Jan. 1, 2009. Base price has not been announced to the public, but if you have to ask...

Mark your calendars and dump the 401k, the SLR McLaren 722 has returned.


Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S: Thrilling high-performance roadster

Stuttgart, Sep 29, 2008

Official Mercedes-Benz Press Release

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S opens up astonishing dimensions when it comes to open-top driving. Delivering 478 kW/650 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 335 km/h, this two-seater cabriolet surpasses the existing benchmark among open-top super sports cars - the SLR McLaren Roadster. Both vehicles feature a fully retractable folding soft top capable of withstanding the high speed and are made of carbon fibre. This endows both models with a very high degree of safety and extreme torsional stiffness. In addition to increased power, the new SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S features even more dynamic suspension tuning and improved aerodynamics. While enjoying exceptional performance, the new roadster's occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle's suitability for everyday use. With its sporty, premium-quality interior appointments and distinctive motorsport pedigree, the new SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S is limited to 150 vehicles and will inspire the most discerning automotive enthusiasts.

Spectacular dimensions in open-top driving are opened up by the new Mercedes-Benz SLRMcLaren Roadster 722 S. With an output of 478 kW/650 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 335 km/h, this open two-seater betters the standard set for open-air super-sports cars by the SLR McLaren Roadster. Both have a fully recessible soft top suitable for high speed driving, and are made from carbon fibre. This produces a very high level of safety and extremely high torsional strength. In addition to a higher engine output, the new SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S has an even more dynamic suspension setup and further aerodynamic improvements.

By naming this new model variant the SLRRoadster 722 S, Mercedes-Benz is recalling the historic victory won at the classic Mille Miglia long-distance race in 1955 by British motor-racing legend Stirling Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkinson, in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S continues the legend of the successful 1950s SLR racing sports cars, with innovative technology adopted from the world of motorsport.

Engine hand-built by AMG

The powerful heart of the SLR Roadster 722 S is a supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine which is hand-built in the Mercedes-AMG engine shop in Affalterbach. The special strengths of this high-performance engine include extraordinary responsiveness to movements of the accelerator, a high torque and an unmistakable V8 sound. Moreover, with an output of 478 kW/650 hp and 820 Nm of torque, power is on tap almost to excess (SLR McLaren Roadster: 460 kW/626 hp, 780 Nm). Accordingly the new model variant meets the wishes of the most discerning customers for even more sportiness combined with excellent day-to-day practicality.

The five-speed automatic transmission developed by Mercedes-Benz is designed for high performance. It is specially configured for a very high torque, and allows the driver to choose between two sets of shift characteristics. As a result the roadster achieves performance figures that are even outstanding for the high-end sports car segment: the SLR Roadster 722 S absolves a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a breathtaking 3.7 seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in 10.6 seconds. The maximum speed is 335 km/h, which is unrivalled by any other series-production roadster.


Even more dynamic suspension setup

The spring and shock absorber configurations of the suspension are stiffer, and the body has been lowered by 10 millimetres at the front and rear. This ensures the greater handling stability of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S, with a significant improvement in handling dynamics. The lightweight, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels allow a view of the red-painted brake callipers on the highly-resistant carbon-fibre/ceramic brake discs, which make for impressive deceleration figures.

Sophisticated aerodynamics and a fabric soft top suited to high-speed driving

The outstanding qualities of the 722 S are complemented by the fully recessible fabric soft top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the roadster. The weave structure of this high-tech roof material reflects the carbon-fibre look, guarantees full day-to-day suitability in any weather conditions and allows the vehicle a top speed of 335 km/h - a unusual figure for a roadster. Thanks to favourable aeroacoustics, conversation during open-air journeys is still possible at well over 200 km/h.

The soft top opens and closes semi-automatically in around ten seconds, combining comfort expectations with the purist nature of the roadster. For opening, the roof needs to be unlatched at the windscreen frame and lifted slightly, after which it folds down electrically. The front section of the soft top features an integral aluminium cap, which effectively prevents "ballooning" at high speeds.

The handling and aerodynamics of this high-end roadster were optimised for high speeds in the wind tunnel. The aerodynamic concept follows that of the SLR Coupé, with an airbrake integrated into the boot lid, an enclosed underbody and a diffusor in the rear bumper to ensure the greatest possible downforce on the rear axle. The so-called airsplitter at the front end augments this downforce, while small wheel spoilers reduce turbulence at the rear axle. The result is precise handling and steering at high speeds.


Outstanding performance and safety thanks to carbon fibre technology
In technical terms the 722 S benefits from the long experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula-1 partner McLaren. With the exception of two aluminium frames, the body is completely of carbon-fibre materials (CFRP). This makes it highly exceptional among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the roadster, the sophisticated carbon-fibre technology was developed further for the monocoque. The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and therefore a high level of occupant safety, plus a torsional rigidity that is unprecedented for an open-top car. It allows outstanding handling characteristics that are otherwise only found in closed super-sports cars.

A high level of safety is provided by unique carbon-fibre crash structures, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed rollover bars. Other safety features include adaptive airbags, knee and sidebags, belt tensioners and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

A thoroughly sporty appearance

The roadster has a crystal antimony grey paint finish, which highlights the sculptured look of this high-performance car particularly effectively. The carbon-fibre technology is visually complemented by the black, grid-like air vents on the bonnet and the front and rear light modules with palladium grey surrounds.

In the interior, outstanding lateral support is guaranteed by sports bucket seats upholstered in a combination of semi-aniline leather/Alcantara. Striking visual highlights are provided by the contrasting seams in 300 SL red, the embossed 722 S lettering on the head restraints and the likewise red seat belts. Frequently used controls such as the shift and parking brake levers are lined in particularly high-grip and moisture-absorbing suede leather. In the interior too, the generous use of carbon-fibre underlines the high-performance philosophy and adds a particularly puristic touch.

Exclusive appointments

The exclusive appointments include two-zone automatic climate control, a high-quality BOSE Premium sound system, a multifunction sports steering wheel with shift paddles and a navigation system with an integrated radio and CD player.

This limited edition of 150 examples is predominantly hand-built at the Formula 1 workshops of McLaren in Woking, England, and is available from January 1, 2009.