Few partnerships in the automotive world have been more fruitful than that of Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. Mercedes-Benz started supplying engines to McLaren for Formula 1 in the mid-1990s, and over the course of the following two decades, McLaren racked up numerous victories. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren emerged after the partnership deepened in 2000, when Daimler AG acquired 40 percent of the McLaren Group (which it later divested after the two companies eventually parted ways). The SLR was introduced in November 2003, a time when the Ferrari Enzo was set to do battle with the Porsche Carrera GT. Given McLaren’s aspirations to manufacture road cars of its own, the SLR would end up being the two companies’ first and only road car together, which only serves to heighten its mystique.

Instead of creating an uncompromising supercar, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren pursued a different route. Eschewing the rear-mid-engine formula, they devised a front-mid-engine layout. This not only allowed near-perfect weight distribution, but also gave the car a more spacious cabin and trunk, making it more practical and usable than its competitors. It also created dazzling proportions, with a long, sculpted hood and an impressive dash-to-axle ratio, necessary to accommodate the Mercedes-built 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 nestled entirely behind the front axle. Supremely engineered and manufactured to incredible standards at McLaren’s facilities in Woking, United Kingdom, the SLR boasted superlative performance, luxury, and comfort in equal measure, making it the ultimate mix of supercar and grand tourer. And with unique gullwing doors, its spectacle persists even when parked.

Following feedback from discerning clients who craved an even sportier SLR, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 722 Edition in 2007, named in honor of noted racing legend Stirling Moss’s incredible win at the 1955 Mille Miglia in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR numbered 722. The SLR 722 Edition was limited to just 150 units, and only about 25 are believed to have been brought to North America.

With more than 300 modified components, nearly every aspect of the SLR was upgraded for the 722 Edition. Power rose from 617 to 641 horsepower, the 0–60 time dropped to 3.6 seconds, ride height was lowered by 10 millimeters, new 19-inch alloy wheels were developed to fit larger carbon-ceramic brake rotors, and a new carbon-fiber front splitter increased front downforce by 128 percent. Incredibly, despite the significant downforce increase, the drag coefficient of the 722 also decreased. Alcantara and carbon fiber replaced much of the leather and aluminum trim throughout the interior, giving the car a sportier, more exotic feel. Compared to its rivals, most significantly the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, the 722 Edition represents breathtaking performance, exclusivity, and tremendous value in a stunning yet eminently usable package that can be easily driven and enjoyed.

The example offered here was released from the factory in February 2007 and delivered to the United States in April 2007. With fewer than 3,800 miles showing on the odometer at cataloguing time, it has been driven sparingly.

The car is finished in Crystal Antimon Grey Metallic over Black/Anthracite leather. The carbon-fiber seats were specified from the factory in the extra-large size and feature Alcantara inserts. Red seatbelts complement similarly colored contrast stitching throughout the cabin, which also features carbon-fiber trim. The car was equipped from the factory with the Sports Package and CD changer.

In April 2021, the oil, oil filter, brake fluid, and auxiliary battery were replaced. The car is accompanied by factory manuals in a leather case, two key fobs, and service invoices.