Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Review

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Convertible

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an expensive supercar that boasts a top speed in excess of 200 mph and sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds or less. Unless you're a CEO or media mogul, the SLR is unlikely to show up on your shopping list, as a new one costs around a half-million dollars. It's equally unlikely that you'll ever even see one, since overall production numbers are only in the hundreds.

In a nod to the original 300 SLR, the SLR McLaren features doors that swing forward and up in a sort of gullwing-scissor combination. It may be largely a gimmick but it does make getting in and out easier than in some other high-dollar supercars. While the interior includes many tasteful features like aluminum and carbon-fiber trim with leather seats, we think it looks too much like a standard-issue Mercedes sedan. For such an exclusive car, we'd like to see a more distinctive cabin.

The bottom line is that the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is very fast and very expensive. Also, enthusiasts wanting a manual transmission will find that no such option exists for the SLR McLaren. Given the lack of a manual transmission and the SLR's ultra exclusivity, we'd rather have an exotic from Aston Martin, Ferrari or Lamborghini. CEOs and media moguls out there, we hope you're listening.

Current Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is currently available as a two-seat, soft-top convertible in either base or limited-edition 722 S trim. The base SLR's hand-built 5.4-liter supercharged V8 pumps out 617 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels and features a shift-it-yourself feature with steering-wheel-mounted paddles. According to Mercedes-Benz, the standard SLR can achieve a top speed of 206 mph and go from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Since that's clearly not enough speed for some folks, the 722 S ramps up output to 650 hp.

The SLR offers a high level of comfort and luxury features considering its supercar pedigree. The seats are covered with Alcantara suede, and a Bose surround-sound stereo with six-CD changer is included, as are adaptive cruise control and dual-zone climate control. There are three soft-top convertible color choices. Carbon-ceramic antilock brakes with brake assist are standard, as is a rear-deck-mounted airbrake that automatically deploys under aggressive braking.

Used Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Models

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was introduced for 2005 in a two-seat coupe body style only. For 2007, the SLR McLaren could only be had as the 722 Edition coupe. The 722 name comes from the car driven by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in the Mille Miglia race in 1955 (they were piloting a 300 SLR). Only 25 722 Edition coupes were imported into the United States, so finding one will be rather difficult. Nevertheless, this special edition featured a more powerful version of the SLR's V12 that made 641 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque. It also received larger brakes, an adjustable rear spoiler, firmer suspension dampers, a slightly lower ride height, a carbon-fiber front air splitter, carbon-fiber seats and cockpit trim, red stitching and gauge faces, and "722" badges and embroidery. From 2008 onward, a roadster replaced the coupe as the only available SLR body style. The 722 S roadster appeared for 2009.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.