Just what this car doesn't need — more power. Still looks cool though.

Date posted: 01-29-2007

DUBAI — Noting that "many wealthy sheikhs have become avid automobile aficionados," Mercedes-Benz used the setting of the Arabian desert to roll out its stunning new 650-hp SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The special model gets a boost in horsepower, improved aerodynamics and such racing touches as red seatbelts for more "visual impact."

The limited-edition model — only 150 are being made — outstrips the peak performance of the current SLR model. The SLR 722 Edition is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 that is assembled by hand at the Mercedes-AMG engine workshops in Affalterbach, Germany. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission which the company says was developed in-house.

The special model sprints from zero to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds versus 3.8 seconds in the SLR. It also beats the conventional SLR in top speed. The SLR 722 Edition has a top speed of 209 mph versus a top speed of 207 mph in the current SLR.

There is a story behind the car's intriguing name. Mercedes says the SLR 722 Edition is inspired by a 1955 victory by British motor-racing legend Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson at the Mille Miglia, the classic Italian endurance race. Moss piloted a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR with start number 722, which denoted the car's start time of 7:22 a.m. As the company notes, the new model is designed to "outperform its historic forefather."

Details of note include chassis construction with an antiroll bar positioned above the front axle where it is controlled via rocker arms, or identical to the setup found on a Formula 1 car. The chassis also has been lowered for increased directional stability and better handling. Body roll in corners has been cut by more than 20 percent. The SLR McLaren 722 also gets new 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, larger Brembo brakes with red-painted brake calipers, and a body shell made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, another technology borrowed from Formula 1.

An air splitter at the front end increases downforce while reducing the drag coefficient. Small wheel spoilers reduce air swirl at the rear axle.

The German automaker says the SLR McLaren 722 is aimed at "gentleman drivers and affluent sports car collectors."

No word yet on pricing.

What this means to you: The Dubai unveiling is no accident. You'll need to own a couple of oil wells to be able to get your hands on this beauty.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=119395#2

 

who cares its a Mercedes Benz

 

What do you mean?

 

oh boy... this one will definately cost more arms and legs than what i have on me to be able to afford one

carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic body eh, that must be incredibly expensive

i wonder what are the aerodynamic improvements they talked about

 

Well, if you were a lord sleep on top of oil, you wouldn't care about the price... filthy rich dude!!!

 

Or if you were a "model" or an "artist" who parties crazily like Paris Hilton...

 

the car going to have problems for sure ... some people bought the CLK-GTR years back, you shell out over a million for a car that had god knows how many problems and Mercedes didnt want to pay them back because of the defects.

If people want to buy a ****ty deutsch make go for it. Pretty much for the same price you can get a Koenigsegg CCX.

 

The SLR has no known defects or problems and neither does the CGT. Show some respect for the company who invented the car.

 

So I guess your original post meant those people who are rich enough to pay over a million for a car will not care about how many problems, hence "who cares it's a mercedes benz"? That makes sense.

 

There is this one particular CLK-GTR imported by an LA dealer which has some news coverage going on

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/06/14/...mon/index.html

 

That's old news, I knew the old CLK-GTR had issues (and MB didn't act in the best inerests of its' customers, and that's a shame) and I feel sorry for the owner of that CLK-GTR but the new SLR doesn't have a single issue...neither does any other "****ty deutsch" super car for that matter.