Debuting in 2003, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren emerged as one of the most ambitious collaborations in modern automotive history. Jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and its then Formula 1 partner McLaren, the SLR bore unmistakable traces of the German automaker’s contemporary design language while benefiting from the advanced engineering and obsessive craftsmanship of McLaren’s elite facility in Woking, England. It marked McLaren’s first roadgoing automobile since the epoch-defining F1, and like that car, it redefined expectations. With massive, supercharged power, a top speed beyond 200 mph, and a front-mid-engine carbon fiber chassis, the SLR was undeniably a supercar—yet it retained a level of everyday usability and luxury more typical of a high-end grand tourer.

The SLR’s pinnacle arrived with the 722 S Edition, introduced as a coupe in 2006 and followed by the roadster in 2009. This ultimate evolution elevated the SLR concept both mechanically and philosophically. Its hand-built, supercharged 5.4-liter AMG V-8 was reworked to deliver 641 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque, channeled through a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission engineered to withstand the prodigious output. Performance was staggering: Zero to 62 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph—figures that place the open-top 722 S Roadster among the fastest production cars of any era, regardless of roof configuration.

Beyond raw speed, the 722 S benefited from comprehensive chassis revisions. A lower, stiffer suspension sharpened responses and improved high-speed stability, while lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels reduced unsprung mass. Aerodynamic refinements—including an enlarged front splitter, revised rear diffuser, and recalibrated active airbrake—enhanced downforce and composure. Carbon-ceramic brakes, among the largest ever fitted to a road car at the time, delivered immense stopping power with unflappable consistency.

The 722 designation referenced the starting number of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR driven by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson to legendary victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia, beginning their run at 7:22 a.m. Subtle badging and purposeful detailing paid homage to this triumph, reinforcing the car’s connection to this storied chapter in Mercedes-Benz history.

Inside, the 722 S Roadster struck a perfect balance between luxury and performance, pairing seats with enhanced lateral support and a steering wheel and key touchpoints wrapped in a mix of leather and tactile Alcantara. Carbon fiber accents underscored the car’s performance intent without sacrificing refinement. This remained a grand tourer, capable of crossing long distances in comfort, even as it delivered ferocious acceleration at a moment’s notice.

Just 150 examples of the 722 S Roadster were produced, with the example offered here, delivered new to Canada on 1 January 2008. It is finished in what is arguably the model’s most iconic livery: Crystal Laurite Silver over a black interior, accented by red seat belts and contrast stitching. It is further distinguished by red brake calipers visible behind its 19-inch black-finished wheels. The car is understood to have been sold new in Ontario and imported to the United States early in its life. The odometer displayed just 5,773 miles at the time of cataloguing.

Today, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster stands as both a technological milestone and a cultural artifact: The zenith of the Mercedes-McLaren partnership and one of the most compelling open-top supercars ever produced. Still every bit as thrilling as it was when new, it is a modern Mercedes-Benz fully worthy of standing alongside a 300 SL or McLaren F1 in the collection of its next distinguished owner.