Mercedes Monday showcases a remarkable duo from Stuttgart: two SLR McLarens that stand out from the typical Crystal Laurite Silver finish. These two examples feature custom touches that differentiate them from the more common models.
The first SLR is highlighted by matte black accents, a large SLR decal on the doors, and striking red pinstripes on the bonnet, side skirts, and rear bumper, and its interior is finished in black. The second SLR sports three red 722 decals - one on each door and one on the bonnet - though it’s not an official 722 Edition, but rather a standard model paying homage to its racing roots and this one features a black and red interior.
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The SLR McLaren was born out of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, formed when Mercedes owned 40% of the McLaren Group. The "SLR" acronym stands for "Sport Leicht Rennsport" (Sport Light Racing), a tribute to the legendary 300 SLR that inspired the modern iteration.
The history of the SLR name dates back to the 1950s, the era of the famous Silver Arrows. This was when Mercedes-Benz brought race cars to the streets, spearheaded by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, then head of the testing department, who created the 300 SLR Coupe - a blend of the 300 SL Gullwing and the 300 SLR race car.
Fast forward to 1999: at the North American International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Vision SLR as the "Silver Arrow of the future," a design that echoed the heritage of the original Silver Arrows. This wasn’t coincidental, as Mercedes-Benz was partnering with McLaren on Formula 1 cars at the time. That same year, Mika Häkkinen secured the World Championship title for McLaren-Mercedes.
Retro-futuristic design was at the heart of the Vision SLR, leading to the road-going version that debuted at the 2003 IAA: the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (model series 199). The car’s signature gullwing doors, side-mounted exhausts, and arrow-shaped front end with the embedded Mercedes star made it a head-turner. The car’s performance was equally impressive, thanks to the 460 kW (626 PS) V8 supercharged engine from Mercedes-AMG, propelling it to a top speed of 334 km/h. Like in motorsport, extensive use of carbon fiber composites reduced weight and enhanced rigidity.
The SLR McLaren’s legacy spanned seven years, during which 2,157 units were produced, including the special SLR Stirling Moss edition. Named after the legendary driver who set a record in the 1955 Mille Miglia in a 300 SLR, this speedster - stripped of a roof, windshield, and side windows but equipped with a more powerful engine - capped off the 199 series and marked the end of the Mercedes-McLaren collaboration in 2009.
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