Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S (2008): first official photos

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

29 September 2008 15:43

Not to be outdone by the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, this is Mercedes’ own ultra-fast open-top. Snappily named as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S, it’s a convertible version of the special edition 722 variant. And yes, Merc is indeed eking all it can out of the SLR supercar before the SL Black and SLC/Gullwing arrive.

Just 150 722 SLR S models will be built and that ‘722’ designation (sadly) doesn’t refer to the brake horsepower output, but the number of Stirling Moss’s race-winning 300 SLR from the 1955 Mille Miglia.

Essentially yes. The S is an SLR roadster with all the 722's special tweaks.

So we start with a carbonfibre SLR, but add a '722 S' etched wind deflector and an aluminium-reinforced folding fabric roof with carbon-look weave – though said roof still needs to be manually unlatched.

The supercharged 5.5-litre V8 is then tweaked, lifting power from 617 to 641bhp, while torque climbs from 575 to 605lb ft. That means the 0-62mph sprint passes by in 3.7 seconds, 125mph flashes up in 10.6 and the top speed is raised to 209mph. And all these figures are achieved through a five-speed automatic – those AMG engine builders in Affalterbach are clearly doing a decent job.

Click 'Next' below to read more about the Mercedes SLR 722 S Roadster

By Ben Pulman