Official: Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 GT

According to the manufacturer itself, it was the repeated requests from the SLR owners’ club that led to the creation of this car, the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 GT, whose sole purpose is the track and whose only function is competition, since a cup series will be organised for the owners of this little beast.

Ray Mallock Ltd was in charge of giving this exotic supercar its competition styling, which, incidentally, we saw not long ago being tested at Paul Ricard. Redesigning more than 400 components to reduce the car’s weight was the key element in its development, as it has been slimmed down to a weight of just 1,390 kilos.

For its part, the AMG 5.5 V8 engine produces 680 horsepower (30 more than the SLR 722 Edition) and delivers a maximum torque of 850 newton-metres which, combined with a new air filter and exhaust system, produce an even more impressive sound. These figures result in a power-to-weight ratio of 2 kg/CV, an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and a top speed limited to 315 km/h.

The suspension has been completely modified not only to make the car a track-devouring machine, but also to offer the possibility of being configured for different conditions and circuits. In addition, the wheels are fitted with new lightweight alloy rims that allow a wheel change in a short time during a race, assisted by the hydraulic jack it incorporates.

The chosen transmission is a 5-speed automatic, but the power sent to the rear axle will pass through another of the novelties, a new differential that ensures the power is optimised at all times to improve the car’s performance as much as possible. The brakes follow the FIA GT regulations and incorporate a new and efficient air cooling system. Finally, there is not much to say about the interior: it is that of a racing car, dispensing with all comforts in favour of safety and lightness. It is worth mentioning its bucket seats with 6-point harnesses, new gauges and the indispensable safety bars that turn the cabin into a “survival cage“.

Nothing has been said about the price, but buying one is going to be difficult, and not only for that reason. The 21 units built are already in the hands of members of the SLR club, who from the very first moment will no doubt enjoy their driving courses like children, with instructors such as David Coulthard, and the races organised by the brand, directed by Dieter Zetsche himself, chairman of Mercedes-Benz. Well, nobody can say this isn’t taking care of a customer.

And also a couple of photos taken at the Nordschleife during their tests, in which other perspectives can be seen:

Via | World Car Fans