Facing stiff competition from the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo, Mercedes-Benz enlisted the help of its then Formula 1 partner McLaren to produce the stunning SLR. The vehicle’s namesake is shared with the celebrated 300 SLR endurance racer of the 1950s. Like the race car, sustaining high speed over the course of hundreds of miles remained the focus of development, and so Mercedes–McLaren carved out a specific niche among its contemporaries by focusing more on grand touring than on out and out performance.

That is not to say the SLR was a slouch, however; a 5.5-liter all-aluminum V-8 fitted with a twin screw supercharger feeding 13 psi of boost produced a mightily impressive 617 horsepower and 580 foot-pounds of torque. 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 a, 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 miles per hour.

In order for the SLR to perform through the corners, Mercedes and McLaren employed all of the latest technologies. A state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque provided the vehicle with incredible strength and rigidity, but with the added benefit of being lightweight. Carbon-ceramic disc brakes measuring 15 inches in the front and 14 inches in the rear were fitted as standard and provided far superior stopping power and fade resistance. In addition, the vehicle was fitted with an active rear spoiler that, through varying degrees of elevation, could act as an airbrake or increase downforce. All of these factors working in conjunction with each other resulted in supreme handling characteristics and an incredible 1.13 g around the skidpad.

Quite possibly the most brilliant aspect of the SLR was its everyday usability. For a 200 mph supercar, the ride was relatively cushy, and there was even a functional trunk. Inside, custom-fit leather seats, high-end speakers, and automatic climate control reinforced the grand touring ambitions Mercedes envisioned when it initially began the project.

This 2006 model, finished in Crystal Laurite Silver with a red and black interior, is available with only 1,369 original miles and is presented in as-new condition. With such limited mileage, this SLR is ready to devour highway for anyone looking to enjoy Mercedes’ most ambitious supercar of the last decade.