New Mercedes-Benz SLR "722 Edition": Born on the r
 

New Mercedes-Benz SLR "722 Edition": Born on the racetrack

Stuttgart, Jul 10, 2006
The new Mercedes-Benz SLR "722 Edition" has all the attributes of a thoroughbred racing car. Refined in numerous respects, this super sports car has more output, a tailor-made suspension configuration and a decidedly sporty interior.

A continuing tradition: the new model variant SLR "722 Edition" is a homage by Mercedes-Benz to the unforgettable victory won by the British racing legend Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7.22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. With an output of 478 kW/650 hp and a corresponding performance, the new super sports car, which goes on sale on July 11, will not only make the hearts of car enthusiasts beat faster.

The supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine in the "722 Edition", which is hand-built in the AMG engine shop in Affalterbach, generates 478 kW/650 hp. The particular strengths of this high-performance engine are immediate response to movements of the accelerator, highly emphatic torque build-up and an unmistakable V8 sound. The performance figures are outstanding even for a high-end sports car: the "722 Edition" accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in just 10.2 seconds. The maximum speed (337 km/h) is above the 334 km/h previously achieved by the SLR.

Handling characteristics worthy of the racetrack are also provided by the sophisticated suspension, with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and a ten-millimetre-lower body. Larger brake discs with a diameter of 390 mm ensure excellent braking performance.

Discreet visual modifications mark the SLR "722 Edition" out as special, in line with the wishes of the enthusiastic gentleman drivers and wealthy sports car collectors who make up the core target group. The modified front spoiler with an air splitter, as well as the rear diffuser, improve both the aerodynamics and contact pressure at high speeds, and reflect the transfer of cutting-edge technology from motor racing. At the same time, the use of clear-lacquered carbon as an extremely strong yet lightweight material symbolises the practicality of these technical features. Bucket-type sports seats upholstered in leather/Alcantara provide outstanding lateral support, while the grippier racing steering wheel with a hunting-leather lining, gearshift paddles and black carbon highlights lend a thoroughbred racing touch to the interior.

Exclusive "SLR. Club" for SLR owners

Before the sales release date, customers and selected guests will have the advance opportunity to appraise the new SLR "722 Edition". This is to mark the foundation of the worldwide "SLR. Club" at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France. As an ultra-exclusive community of which SLR customers automatically become members, the "SLR Club" provides an attractive platform for outstanding events related to the SLR, as well as numerous other benefits. Another exciting feature is the club’s SLR Safety & Speed Academy, which offers special driver training courses and seminars. David Coulthard, Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig, Chris Goodwin and Christina Surer are among the highly skilled and well-known instructors.


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This is an obvious response to the 599 GTB... and a pretty good one at that, performance wise :P

But its too rice for my taste :|

Thanks for the text + pics TT :D

A more focused car than the original.... looks good IMO :good:

I like the idea of an SLR Club too 8)

Looks brilliant IMO, good to see the black/polished lip wheels - similar to mine, probably where they got the idea from. :P

Much nicer looking than the original SLR, still no Ferrari though.

If they have would been really clever, they would have began to sell it on the 22th of July... 7/22 ? :)
I know it's the wrong way around but still a thought!

It looks freakishly fast...

It definetely looks like it means business with those black rims. performance seems insane.

With that name I would have expect ... 722 bhp :wink:
And I think I prefer the turbine-like wheels but the rest is nice :D

that is one awesome car :D

Should've had 722hp :P

Seriously though, it looks great, love the front splitter and wheels.

It doesn´t look riced at all IMO. In fact i think the slight modifications make it look even better and more aggressive than the standard one.

Looks nice!

626 up to 650 hp I don't think is that much. Really should have 722hp. Looks cool though.

Love the looks of this car, couldn't find anything about how many will be build?

That is one nice car, that bare carbon front slitter and black rims look sensational. Although the carbon splitter was already used on the Brabus SLR and that has 660BHP. But this car does look fantastic when you look at the details closely, such as those headlights.

It looks like I am going to be the only one that doesnt like this car.

2 things that I think about this car:

1. Marketing ploy. Different editions of cars??? Its like Ferrari making more F40s to meet demand
2. This car should have been the first McMerc.

/\/\ exactly, they should have made this the GT3 or Stradale version of the SLR, get rid of all the nonsence no need SL stuff and make a rough simple car :twisted:

I still like it though, its kust that it could have been so much better!

The more agressive look suits the car well, the alloys seem to have come from a Zonda though.

This is what tuning should always look like- a power increase and just a few styling touches like the carbon fibre front lip. Anybody know in what volumes this edition will be produced ??

Looks stunning! :D

I also tought of 722 hp, but i absolutely love the idea of the SLR with more power even if it´s "only" 650 hp.

The front of the car and the wheels look very agressive :o

Bugger, this means I will have to get the SLR QuickDrive and TrackTest done pretty quickly if we have this "new imporved" SLR on the way... ;)

Hmm, I like the subtle visual 'enhancements', it makes the car look a lot more aggressive without going over the top. I was also thinking 722hp, which would have been just :!:. It would have been extra cool if they'd done a track version as others have suggested...cut out some of that huge weight it has, and put a 6spd manual in that sucker! :D

Niiiice pics the Merc advertising dept. has given us btw. 8)

Too much hassle over too little modifications.

pretty cool but i would never take this over an CGT or LP640.

you know what is funny...

in Brundles' Supercars when he takes a tour of the factory, and shows some SLR press footage, the SLR in that footage has a plate titled "SLR 722" and Brundle said "it will have 640 hp" back then...

interesting...

Is looking pretty cool, the exterior modifcations are great but as most of the others comments i was excepecting more from Mclaren-Mercedes, maybe they save it for the next supercar project!!!