2007 Mercedes-Benz McLaren 722 SLR

OVERVIEW

Offered for sale is this 2007 Mercedes-Benz McLaren 722 SLR, finished in Crystal Antimon Grey Metallic over Black/Anthracite leather, with its odometer showing approximately 14,500 kilometers at the time of cataloging.

MODEL HISTORY

The 722 SLR is what happens when legends work together - and create a product out of the creative conflict that can elevate a project even higher. The SLR was conceived when the racing concern McLaren and Mercedes-Benz were paired together in Formula 1 - McLaren designing the chassis and body, Mercedes engineers supplying the engines. At the time, McLaren’s engineering head was the brilliant and iconoclastic Gordon Murray. Known for his unwavering commitment to an ideal, previous to the collaboration with Mercedes was the primary architect for the stunning McLaren F1, produced from 1992 to 2000, and completing a grand total of 106 units. For that car he convinced BMW to build him the 618-horsepower naturally-aspirated V12, but the engine was the sole contribution from the Bavarian group. In the case of the Mercedes-McLaren, it would be more collaborative.

The issue with that is, Gordon Murray’s idea of what the car should be did not jibe with what the heads of Mercedes were thinking of, and the conflict was fairly substantial. They had said they wanted a modern interpretation of the iconic 1950 SLR race car, but what they’d designed was much more of a GT, and Murray took one look at the design and insisted the new SLR’s weight balance would be too nose heavy. According to Murray, what followed was around six months of constant meetings where, even after they said they’d relented, he met with division after division of Mercedes employees who would challenge his vision of what the car would be.

Murray’s grit and determination for the car to be perfectly balanced across all four tires is one of the reasons why the nose of the SLR is so long. He had insisted that the car be a front-mid engine design - where the engine sat behind the front axle line, taking weight off the nose of the car and shifting it rearward, to allow the 50/50 weight balance that resulted in true automotive athleticism. For fans of the long nose / short deck aesthetic, this is the ultimate, with room to spare.

There were many other innovative features and processes Murray pushed for and achieved - a car fully assembled by binding with glue, with no bolts or rivets, a full carbon-fiber chassis made of large sections instead of multiple smaller pieces. The SLR was truly special, and Murray’s tenacity pushed Mercedes - a leading engineering company - beyond what even they had imagined possible.

THIS 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ MCLAREN 722 SLR

The example offered here was released from the factory in 2007 and delivered to its first owner in Japan the same year. The vehicle was acquired by its second owner and relocated to Switzerland. Now under the stewardship of its third owner, the 722 SLR resides in the United Arab Emirates. With approximately 14,500 kilometers showing on the odometer at the time of cataloging, it has been driven sparingly.

This 722 SLR was specced in Crystal Antimon Grey Metallic over Black/Anthracite leather. Carbon-fiber seats were specified from the factory and feature Alcantara inserts. Red seat belts complement similarly colored contrast stitching throughout the cabin, which also features carbon-fiber trim. 

Compared to the regular SLR, the 722 SLR received more than 300 modified components. Although it featured the same 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, power was increased from 617 horsepower , the 0-97 time dropped to 3.6 seconds, ride height was lowered by 10 millimeters, new 19-inch alloy wheels were developed to fit larger carbon-ceramic brake rotors, and a new carbon-fiber front splitter was added increasing downforce by 128 percent. Inside the cabin, Alcantara and carbon fiber replaced much of the leather and aluminum, giving the car a sportier, more exotic feel.

MECHANICAL

Without a doubt, the most important factor for any supercar purchase is service history. This particular example is offered for sale with service receipts included, detailing maintenance work undertaken such as identifying and repairing an oil leak, replacement of a drained battery due to a long period of non use, and exhaust emissions testing.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE SALE

The car is accompanied by its factory manuals in a leather case, the vehicle’s original first aid kit, and service invoices.

SUMMARY

Every SLR is a worthy collection addition but the 722, by celebrating Stirling Moss and the success in the Mille Miglia, is the closest thing to the original vision of what Mercedes had pitched to Gordon Murray - a direct connection to the winning 300SLR from the era. If you want an example of the closest thing to a concession that either Gordon Murray or Daimler-Benz ever made, this is the incredible result.

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