Looking to rekindle the romance from its iconic racing cars of the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz joined forces with McLaren for the first time outside of their Formula 1 relationship to create the SLR McLaren. Under its hood was a 616-brake horsepower version of the supercharged 5.4-litre V-8 that Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division shoehorned into cars such as the SL 55 and CL 55, albeit highly modified. The engine was revised to use dry sump lubrication, a Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger, and a pair of intercoolers.

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren chose to utilise a carbon-fibre monocoque for the chassis, providing both incredible strength and rigidity while remaining as lightweight as possible. To optimise weight distribution, the engine was placed around one metre behind the front bumper, giving the car its impressive, long-hooded silhouette. This was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Carbon-ceramic brakes and an innovative brake-by-wire system ensured rapid stopping, even considering the car’s touring-ready 1,770-kilogram kerb weight. “Butterfly” doors added a touch of modern flair while giving a stylistic nod to its ancestors, including the fabled 300 SL Gullwing.

Testing conducted by Car and Driver magazine proved the SLR to be a world-class performer. The 0–60 sprint was over in just 3.4 seconds, while an 11.2-second quarter-mile was achieved at a final speed of 130 mph. Given enough room, the Mercedes-McLaren topped out at an impressive 208 mph.

Completed in March 2006, this SLR was finished in the sleek colour scheme of Pure Black over a Black/Anthracite Exclusive Leather with interior. Built to US specifications, the Mercedes-Benz remained in North America for just a year before being imported to Switzerland. Today, this well-presented supercar shows a mere 2,319 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloguing.

Offered both in coupé and roadster configurations, a mere 2,157 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarens were sold in total worldwide, and ownership of any one of these magnificent machines—let alone one as well-preserved as this example—affords the buyer membership into an exclusive club indeed. The SLR represented a significant performance and styling development in Mercedes-Benz and McLaren history; more than that, it offered a supercar experience unique among its peers, and still provides a high-performance thrill nearly two decades after its introduction.