OPEN-TOP-ROCKET
1/13/2009 9:42:52 AM by Text and Photos courtesy of LuxuryAutosDirect.com
It’s no surprise that with the racing pedigrees of McLaren and Mercedes-Benz that their newest collaboration, the street legal Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S, runs wide open—from the high-powered engine to the wide-open top. Delivering 650hp, acceleration from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 208 mph, this two-seater cabriolet surpasses the existing benchmark among open-top super sports cars.
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 even the most discerning automotive enthusiasts.
By naming this new model variant the SLR Roadster 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 motorsports.
The powerful heart of the SLR Roadster 722 S is a supercharged 5.5-liter 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 650 hp and 627 lb/ft of torque, power is on tap almost to excess.
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 roadst
er 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 60 in a breathtaking 3.7 seconds, and 124 mph is reached in 10.6 seconds. The maximum speed is 208 mph, which is unrivalled by any other series-production roadster.
The spring and shock absorber configurations of the suspension are stiffer, and the body has been lowered by 10 millimeters 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 aluminum wheels allow a view of the red-painted brake calipers on the highly resistant carbon-fiber/ceramic brake discs, which make for impressive deceleration figures.
The handling and aerodynamics of this high-end roadster were optimized 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.
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-fiber look, guarantees full day-to-day suitability in any weather conditions and allows the vehicle a top speed of 335 km/h – an unusual figure for a roadster. Thanks to the vehicle’s favorable aero-acoustics, 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 aluminum cap, which effectively prevents “ballooning” at high speeds.
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 aluminum frames, the body is completely of carbon-fiber materials (CFRP). This makes it highly exceptional among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the roadster, the sophisticated carbon-fiber 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.
In addition, a high level of safety is provided by unique carbon-fiber crash structures, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed rollover bars. Other safety features include adaptive airbags, knee and sidebags, belt tensioners and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The roadster has a crystal antimony grey paint finish, which highlights the sculptured look of this high-performance car particularly effectively. The carbon-fiber 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 and Alcantara. 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 fiber underlines the high-performance philosophy.
This limited edition of 150 examples will be predominan
tly hand-built at McLarens’s Formula 1 workshops in Woking, England, and will be available from January 1, 2009.
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 even the most discerning automotive enthusiasts.
By naming this new model variant the SLR Roadster 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 motorsports.
The powerful heart of the SLR Roadster 722 S is a supercharged 5.5-liter 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 650 hp and 627 lb/ft of torque, power is on tap almost to excess.
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 roadst
The spring and shock absorber configurations of the suspension are stiffer, and the body has been lowered by 10 millimeters 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 aluminum wheels allow a view of the red-painted brake calipers on the highly resistant carbon-fiber/ceramic brake discs, which make for impressive deceleration figures.
The handling and aerodynamics of this high-end roadster were optimized 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.
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-fiber look, guarantees full day-to-day suitability in any weather conditions and allows the vehicle a top speed of 335 km/h – an unusual figure for a roadster. Thanks to the vehicle’s favorable aero-acoustics, 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
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 aluminum frames, the body is completely of carbon-fiber materials (CFRP). This makes it highly exceptional among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the roadster, the sophisticated carbon-fiber 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.
In addition, a high level of safety is provided by unique carbon-fiber crash structures, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed rollover bars. Other safety features include adaptive airbags, knee and sidebags, belt tensioners and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The roadster has a crystal antimony grey paint finish, which highlights the sculptured look of this high-performance car particularly effectively. The carbon-fiber 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 and Alcantara. 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 fiber underlines the high-performance philosophy.
This limited edition of 150 examples will be predominan