since 1976
since 1976
From McLaren Press Release
McLaren is marking two decades since the 2003 debut of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with a range of activities at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, UK.
Born out of a Formula 1-inspired collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the pioneering super-GT is a unique chapter in the McLaren story. The activities at the McLaren Technology Centre reflect this, recognising not only the car but also the people who brought it to life, a strong number of whom are still with McLaren.
Four examples of the grand tourer designed and engineered to supercar standards – an SLR Stirling Moss, an SLR by MSO, an SLR HDK and the SLR 722 GT Prototype – were showcased on the MTC Boulevard, alongside items from the car’s development story. A visit to MTC by the SLR Club an international group of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren owners – added further colour to the events, with the enthusiasts meeting some of the McLaren team that worked on the project to celebrate two decades of the car.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren project was announced at 1999 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, with confirmation that McLaren would partner with Mercedes-Benz to take the Mercedes-Benz SLR Vision concept shown earlier that year at the Detroit Auto Show from show stand to the road, as a full production car developed under the name of ‘Project 7’.
McLaren and Mercedes-Benz were partners in Formula 1 between 1995 to 2009, during which McLaren won four Formula 1 World Championships (Constructors’ champions in 1998, Drivers’ champions in 1998, 1999 and 2008). This winning combination of McLaren chassis development and carbon fibre technology with Mercedes engine power would be replicated for owners of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
The first Project 7 prototype was built by a team of ex-Formula 1 McLaren mechanics who then joined with automotive engineers to form the core team that would take the car into production, as the first car to be hand-assembled at the then newly opened MTC.
The shape and styling of the car were kept as close to Mercedes’ requirements – and the design expressed by the Vision SLR concept – as possible. This was only realised through ground- breaking engineering, leveraging McLaren’s expertise in carbon fibre composites learned through decades of experience in Formula 1 and the McLaren F1 road car.
Allied to the innovative carbon fibre developments was a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 developed by Mercedes-AMG, producing 626PS and 780Nm of torque. Driving the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission, the performance of the front-mid engined super-GT more than matched up to the supercars of the era, with 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 208mph.
Production of the car that began its life as Project 7 ended in December 2009, but this did not end McLaren’s involvement with the car. In 2010, the newly created McLaren Special Operations (MSO) introduced the McLaren Edition SLR, an enhancement package for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren created through invaluable feedback from SLR owners and MSO customers. This version of the SLR, limited to just 25 examples, featured significant bodywork alterations with the adoption of a new, aerodynamically sculpted front apron with a larger front splitter, new side intakes, a larger rear wing and a revised rear diffuser, as well as lighter wheels. Alongside the changes, McLaren Special Operations revised the suspension and power steering assistance.
Subsequently, MSO developed further enhancement and redesign packages. In 2019, MSO introduced the SLR by MSO – a new comprehensive upgrade programme driven by feedback from owners in the decade since the car went out of production. A new aerodynamic package combined with new weight saving measures and new luxurious appointments, such as special quilted leather upholstery. These are available as a comprehensive package or as individual elements.
In May 2023, MSO completed the customer handover of the very first SLR High Downforce Kit (HDK) conversions. These cars come with bodywork alterations directly inspired by the 722 GT racer, a track-going version of the car. With the vehicle’s track increased by 60mm front and rear, the HDK cars have an even more imposing stance, emphasised by a wide bodykit with flared reduced and exhaust volume is increased with the deletion of silencers from an exhaust system that features large, single exits on both sides of the car. MSO will produce 12 SLR HDKs, all of which have already been sold.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren – additional models and behind the scenes
The first Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren customer delivery took place in summer 2004 and more than 2,000 were produced across all versions.
Additional versions of the car included the 722 Edition Coupe, introduced in 2006. A tribute to Sir Stirling Moss and his landmark victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia, the 722 Edition – named after Moss’s number in the race - elevated the already impressive performance and exclusivity of the SLR with more power, and further carbon fibre enhancements. Power from the AMG engine increased to 650PS and 800Nm of torque, and the additional output was matched with new carbon fibre front and rear splitters, as well as a revised suspension setup with stiffer springs and a lower ride height, plus upgraded brakes. 150 customer cars were produced.
A year later, in 2007, the SLR gained a Roadster variant sporting a folding fabric hood, which in turn formed the basis of another 722 Edition special – the 722 Edition Roadster. Featuring the 722 Edition Coupe’s powertrain, chassis and aerodynamic changes along with the Roadster’s electrically operated folding roof, a further 150 customer cars were completed.
The final version of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was the SLR Stirling Moss Edition. This open- top roadster used the same carbon fibre monocoque and 5.5-litre V8 powertrain as the standard SLR, but with dramatic bodywork directly inspired by the 1955 Mille Miglia 300 SLR. Powered by the 650PS version of the 5.5-litre AMG engine used in the 722 Edition models, the SLR Stirling Moss Edition is ultra-rare, with just 75 cars built.
The SLR uses a bonded full carbon fibre monocoque, just like the McLaren F1 road car before it, and all subsequent McLaren cars. Along with the monocoque, McLaren developed carbon fibre front end crash structures which are bolted to the SLR’s aluminium engine mounts, the SLR being the first road car to include this Formula 1-derived innovation. The SLR also includes a carbon fibre bodyshell while the doors and bonnet are also constructed from the lightweight material.
The SLR was an early pioneer of active aerodynamics in production road cars. At the rear of the car, an adaptive wing provides additional downforce at speeds over 59mph (95km/h) by adopting a 10- degree position. But the rear wing also doubles as an airbrake, tilting to an angle of 65-degrees under heavy braking from speed for increased aerodynamic drag while also shifting the balance of the car under braking more towards the rear, for greater stability.
Crash testing of the SLR’s carbon fibre monocoque and frontal crash structures began in 2001, before a batch of further pre-production prototypes built to a standard as close to showroom-ready as possible were completed in 2002. These cars were tasked with marketing purposes, dynamic rig testing and the first press drives of the car in South Africa in 2003.
Extensive aerodynamic testing was conducted in McLaren’s Formula 1 wind tunnel. Design principles from Formula 1 incorporated through this research included the SLR’s virtually flat floor, meaning the side-exit exhausts emerging from the bodywork behind the front axle are not there just for stylistic drama – they are necessary to accommodate the SLR’s aerodynamic underside. Similarly, the six-element rear diffuser was developed from wind tunnel time in Woking.
