2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster "Stealth"

Exterior Overview

The SLR’s shape is a study in purposeful drama: a long, speared hood that resolves into a compact passenger cell, side‑exit exhausts gleaming beneath sculpted vents, and a blunt Kamm‑style tail punctuated by the integrated air‑brake. In Papaya Orange—the same hue that nods to McLaren’s motorsport heritage—the car reads simultaneously vintage and futuristic. Details like the arrow‑straight shoulder line and the deep scallops behind the front wheels give the Roadster visual momentum even at rest.

Angles & Profiles

From three‑quarter view the SLR’s front‑mid‑engine layout becomes obvious: the cab is set well back, with the axle line pushed forward to place mass near the center of the car. Butterfly doors arc upward from the A‑pillars, an echo of silver‑arrow theatrics reimagined for the modern era. With the fabric roof folded, the Roadster’s beltline and roll‑hoop fairings exaggerate the car’s width and stance; roof up, the multi‑layer top sits taut and quiet, maintaining the SLR’s wind‑cheating profile.

From the slashed side vents to the polished side pipes and “swing‑wing” doors, the SLR’s identity is written in functional sculpture. Even the details carry intent: heat‑evacuating louvers, deep sill structures, and purposeful switchgear. It’s a car that rewards lingering—the more time you spend with it, the more the engineering reveals itself.

Cockpit & Controls

Inside, the SLR balances endurance‑racer intent with grand‑touring comfort. Deep sills remind you that you’re stepping over a carbon‑fiber tub, yet once seated, visibility is surprisingly open and the ergonomics straightforward. The driving position is low and locked‑in, the wheel thick‑rimmed, and major controls carry a satisfying mechanical weight. The materials story is all rich leathers and exposed weave, with switchgear that feels engineered rather than merely styled—very much in character for a car bearing both Mercedes and McLaren badges.

Powertrain & Engineering

The 722 S Roadster represents the ultimate open‑top evolution of the SLR McLaren. Hand‑built by AMG, its 5.5‑liter M155 supercharged V8 produces 650 hp and approximately 605 lb‑ft of torque. A Lysholm‑type twin‑screw supercharger with dual intercooling delivers immediacy and sustained thrust, sending power to the rear wheels through the AMG SPEEDSHIFT R 5‑speed automatic. Factory performance figures include 0–100 km/h in about 3.7 seconds and a top speed of roughly 208 mph—making it one of the fastest production convertibles of its era.

What the numbers don’t convey is the texture of the experience. The twin‑screw blower adds a faint, metallic whine over the V8’s baritone, and the throttle’s first inch feels wired directly to the crank. The 5‑speed automatic—chosen for its immense torque capacity and heat management—snaps off decisive shifts in manual mode and fades into the background on a relaxed cruise. It’s an unusually broad‑shouldered powertrain: tractable in traffic, devastatingly effective when the road opens up.

The SLR’s engine sits well back in the bay for ideal weight distribution, and its dry‑sump lubrication allows a lower mounting height, reducing the center of gravity. Extensive under‑bonnet ducting manages intake charge and extraction airflow, while the side‑exit exhausts shorten the system for minimal back pressure and a signature visual.

Chassis, Brakes & Aerodynamics

Developed jointly by Mercedes‑Benz and McLaren, the SLR combines a carbon‑fiber monocoque with a front‑mid‑engine layout for ideal weight distribution and rigidity. Carbon‑ceramic brakes with multi‑piston calipers provide durability and fade resistance, while the signature air‑brake rear deck lid contributes to high‑speed stability. The 722 S specification sharpens responses with model‑specific tuning and visual cues inspired by Mercedes’ 1955 Mille Miglia victory.

On road, the chassis feels utterly unflustered by speed. Steering is precise and linear rather than hyperactive, trading theatrical turn‑in for a stable platform that breathes with the surface. The brake pedal is firm and consistent, with the carbon‑ceramics shrugging off repeated heavy stops. At triple‑digit cruising the aero aids become invisible guardians: the underfloor management and deployable air‑brake keep the car keyed to the tarmac without drama.

Much of the SLR’s stability is baked in rather than bolted on. The long wheelbase, wide track, and flat underbody form a calm aerodynamic foundation, while the air‑ brake acts as both a stability device and a design signature. The 722 S tune adds firmer damping and distinctive rolling stock that visually and dynamically tighten the package.

Rarity & Significance

Production of the 722 S Roadster was limited to approximately 150 units worldwide, underscoring its collector appeal. Celebrated for its blend of Formula 1‑influenced engineering and grand‑touring usability, the SLR McLaren stands as the closing chapter of the Mercedes‑McLaren road‑car partnership. This example—nicknamed “Stealth”—highlights the model’s purposeful character and enduring desirability.

The “722” moniker references Stirling Moss’s legendary Mille Miglia win, and that motorsport lineage is more than name‑deep: the engineering priorities— high‑speed stability, thermal robustness, repeatable performance—mirror endurance‑racing requirements. For collectors, the 722 S Roadster occupies a special niche: a true collaboration car from two giants at the height of their respective crafts, built in small numbers and developed to a definitive final cadence.