Aspiring 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, which was partially owned by Mercedes-Benz at the time, the SLR McLaren sought to bring something slightly different to the supercar marketplace. Rather than pursue all-out performance head on, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren wanted a car that could easily outperform its competition and serve as a capable high-speed grand tourer. With a luxurious cabin and a spacious boot, it was ideal for continental trips across Europe or North America . . . at high speed.

In an effort to give the SLR exceptional handling, engineers at Mercedes-Benz and McLaren moved the V-8 as far back as possible in the car’s chassis, giving it near-perfect weight distribution. That engine is certainly nothing to scoff at, as it produces 617 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, with much thanks to the Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger, providing 13 psi of boost pressure. 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 the speed back in, the SLR McLaren is fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s Sensotronic “brake by wire” system, along with carbon-ceramic disc brakes and an automatic airbrake. These systems working in unison can bring the car to a screeching halt from 120 mph in less than 240 feet.

Looking to ratchet up the excitement of the SLR even further, Mercedes-Benz introduced the roadster version. Dropping the car’s convertible 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 coupé and the roadster models of the SLR, and Mercedes claims that the drop-top chassis is as rigid as the coupé. Save for that convertible top, the SLR remained largely unchanged from its coupé sibling. Even the car’s distinctive “swing-wing” doors remained the same, as they were hinged to the A-pillars rather than the roof itself. Not only did the SLR McLaren Roadster provide owners with the same performance and usability of the coupé, but it allowed them to get a little bit closer to the car’s glorious exhaust note, a quality that many believed to be the car’s best attribute.

Produced as a 2011 model-year example, this particular SLR McLaren Roadster is absolutely gorgeous. Its colour combination, Palladium Grey Metallic over a Silver Arrow 300 SL Red leather interior with a dark red convertible top and matching brake callipers, is both subtle and distinctive, giving this car an understated elegance. Purchased new by a Roman collector of Mercedes-Benzes, it has remained with him since new, having only travelled 3,583 kilometres from new at the time of cataloguing. As such, it presents exceptionally well, and with a full service having recently been completed, it remains ready to drive and enjoy at a moment’s notice.

Though the SLR McLaren is now a decade old, it has aged remarkably well with regard to both its performance and looks. The roadster continues to be a hugely desirable car to both drive and enjoy, and it will only appreciate thanks to its wonderful combination of practicality and all-out performance. Offered from a stable of other significant high-horsepower Mercedes-Benz products, where it has spent its entire life, it is presented here in immaculate condition and would be an exciting addition to any collection of modern supercars, Mercedes-Benzes, McLarens, or others.