Built to go toe-to-toe with Porsche and Ferrari, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was the two companies’ entry into the supercar world. Jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and the McLaren Technology Centre, the SLR McLaren sought to bring something slightly different to the supercar ring. Rather than pursue all-out performance head-on, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren wanted a car that could easily outperform its competition as well as serve as a capable and luxurious high-speed grand tourer. Anyone lucky enough to experience this machine would have to agree that this goal was resoundingly met.

Engineers at Mercedes-Benz and McLaren moved the V-8 as far back as possible in the chassis, giving the car near-perfect weight distribution and, consequently, incredible handling and road holding ability. The engine produces 617 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, courtesy of the Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger which provides 13 psi of boost pressure. Power is put to the ground through the AMG-enhanced, driver-adaptive electronic automatic transmission and an electronic stability program with acceleration skid control. Sprinting from 0–60 mph takes just 3.8 seconds, leading the SLR McLaren to a quarter-mile time of just over 11 seconds and a top speed of 206 mph. To rein in the speed, the SLR McLaren is equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s Sensotronic “brake by wire” system, along with carbon-ceramic disc brakes and an automatic air brake. These systems working in unison can bring the car to a screeching halt from 120 mph in less than 240 feet.

Increasing the excitement of the SLR even further, Mercedes-Benz then introduced the convertible roadster version. Dropping the car’s top takes just 10 seconds after being manually unlatched from the cabin; it folds neatly into a compartment behind the rear seats. Engineers also spent significant time focusing on structural rigidity in both the coupe and the roadster models of the SLR, and Mercedes claims that the drop-top chassis is as rigid as its fixed-head companion, enabling little to no drop-off in road holding or handling between the two versions.

Offered here is a low-mileage example, with just 19,586 kilometers from new at time of cataloguing. It is presented in the superb color combination of Code 704 Crystal Coronadite Grey over Code L13 Light Brown Leather with a Code 745 Beige-Black soft top. Fitted with six-way heated power body-contoured carbon fiber sport bucket seats with lumbar support, an AMG-designed power adjustable leather steering wheel, Bose Cabin Surround audio system, and dual-zone automatic climate control, this immaculate machine is as comfortable as it is powerful, making it an ideal grand touring machine of the highest order.

With its beautiful color combination and low mileage, this SLR McLaren Roadster would be an exciting companion to any collection of modern supercars, be it Mercedes-Benzes, McLarens, or others.