What do you know about the SLR 722

[420SEL]

It was VIP night at the Toronto auto show last night and the new SLR 722 made it's North American debut. Anyone know how this car is more special than the plain old SLR?

Also present was the Maybach 62S with me at the wheel and my wife in the back, who at 5 feet tall, was more than able to stretch her legs out with ample room to spare. The fellow in the car up front with me was constantly polishing off fingerprints and keeping the car looking untouched, which it will be when the regular show opens.

[Dee8go]

That Maybach looks like a perfect fit, Jason. When will yours be ready? You DID order one at the show, didn't you?

The roof line on the SLR looks a little more rounded than I remember. Perhaps that's one of the differences.

[MTUpower]

Stuttgart, Germany – The new Mercedes-Benz SLR "722 Edition" has all the attributes of a thoroughbred racing car. Refined in numerous respects, this super sports car has more output, a tailor-made suspension configuration and a decidedly sporty interior. A continuing tradition: the new model variant SLR "722 Edition" is a homage by Mercedes-Benz to the unforgettable victory won by the British racing legend Stirling Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7.22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. The new super sports car, which goes on sale in Europe on July 11, will not only make the hearts of car enthusiasts beat faster. The supercharged 5.5L V8 engine in the "722 Edition", which is hand-built in the AMG engine shop in Affalterbach, generates 650 hp (478 kW). The particular strengths of this engine are immediate response to movements of the accelerator, highly emphatic torque build-up and an unmistakable V8 sound. The performance figures are outstanding even for a high-end sports car: the "722 Edition" accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in just 10.2 seconds. The maximum speed (337 km/h) is above the 334 km/h previously achieved by the SLR. Handling characteristics worthy of the racetrack are also provided by the sophisticated suspension, with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and a ten-millimetre-lower body. Larger brake discs with a diameter of 390 mm ensure excellent braking performance. Discreet visual modifications mark the SLR "722 Edition" out as special, in line with the wishes of the enthusiastic gentleman drivers and wealthy sports car collectors who make up the core target group. The modified front spoiler with an air splitter, as well as the rear diffuser, improve both the aerodynamics and contact pressure at high speeds, and reflect the transfer of cutting-edge technology from motor racing. At the same time, the use of clear-lacquered carbon as an extremely strong yet lightweight material symbolises the practicality of these technical features. Bucket-type sports seats upholstered in leather/Alcantara provide outstanding lateral support, while the grippier racing steering wheel with a hunting-leather lining, gearshift paddles and black carbon highlights lend a thoroughbred racing touch to the interior. Exclusive "SLR. Club" for SLR owners Before the sales release date, customers and selected guests will have the advance opportunity to appraise the new SLR "722 Edition". This is to mark the foundation of the worldwide "SLR. Club" at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France. As an ultra-exclusive community of which SLR customers automatically become members, the "SLR Club" provides an attractive platform for outstanding events related to the SLR, as well as numerous other benefits. Another exciting feature is the club’s SLR Safety & Speed Academy, which offers special driver training courses and seminars. David Coulthard, Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig, Chris Goodwin and Christina Surer are among the highly skilled and well-known instructors.

Shaun Keenan
Editor in Chief | AutoForums.com
Automotive Journalist | AJAC Member
e: shaun@autoforums.com | h/o: 905-822-8385 | c: 416.436.9751 | f: 905.822.7970

[Larry Delor]

How would something like the 722 fare against the other cars at a Daytona NASCAR race? I'd really like to see a road car, race against the traditional racers, and see how it does.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

How would something like the 722 fare against the other cars at a Daytona NASCAR race? I'd really like to see a road car, race against the traditional racers, and see how it does.

Real race cars turn left and right...

[Jim B.]

Only qualified drivers should get their hands on them...

http://thesuperficial.com/2006/03/paris_hilton_buys_a_fancy_new.html

[diametricalbenz]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Only qualified drivers should get their hands on them...

http://thesuperficial.com/2006/03/paris_hilton_buys_a_fancy_new.html

Hiltons get McLarens and Lohans get AMG's go figure. Somoene has to buy them and road test them right?

[Johnhef]

road test? more like crash test...

[TheDon]

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

Hiltons get McLarens and Lohans get AMG's go figure. Somoene has to buy them and road test them right?

The dealership I go to has sold 3 SLR's. One to a local guy which they say he hammers that car and drives it every day like it should be drive.

If I had the money for an SLR (in black) I would drive it every day and use it as my grocery getter(ha not alot of room).

Originally Posted by Monomer

Real race cars turn left and right...

Whoa now.. in Nascar they turn right like twice a year at the two road courses(I think its two)..

Damn it whens the Le Mans back on..

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

How would something like the 722 fare against the other cars at a Daytona NASCAR race? I'd really like to see a road car, race against the traditional racers, and see how it does.

I'm no racing expert, but I imagine the SLR should be able to hold it's own on a few different NASCAR tracks. I think it would be a blast to drive on a track like Martinsville. I've driven several of them, and the acceleration is absolutely sick.