Filed under: Convertibles, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz
Pics Aplenty: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Click above for high-res gallery of the Merc SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S
When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the convertible version of its very rare SLR McLaren 722 S Coupe late last month, all it had for us were ethereal renderings of what the car would look like. This week the German automaker has given unto us a gallery's worth of high-res photography showing what is likely to become the world's fastest convertible. The SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S features the same 650-hp supercharged 5.5L V8 as the coupe version, but lops off its top in favor of a power soft top that can actually sustain 200+mph speeds. The only other convertible we can think of that could possibly compete is the recently spied 602-hp Bentley Continental GTC Speed, the coupe version of which can crest 200 mph. Hmm... we're getting a good idea for a comparison test. Excuse us while we make a few calls.
Gallery: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722S Roadster
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoxerFanatic 4:04PM (10/23/2008)
Wow...
A car that I actually like MORE as a convertible than a coupe.
The coupe's rear window and profile were just not right... The convertible top actually looks better up, and WAY better down.
The car keeps it's slick butterfly doors.
With the top down, the car really does look long, low and wide, just like a performance car should. I like the dark headlight treatment, although I would probably go with dark silver wheels, not black wheels.
Unfortunately, like all mercedes', I doubt this comes with anything resembling a stick shift transmission.
This might be one of the best boutique V8 roadsters since the BMW Z8.
Looks WAY better as a convertible, than the relative behemoth SL-series cars.
Just shows how the wrong design can biff a car. The SLR Coupe's roofline was just not right, evident by how much better the car looks without one.
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Anson Chappell 4:14PM (10/23/2008)
Doesn't the Veyron convertible count as another 200+ MPH machine?
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Andrew T 4:33PM (10/23/2008)
I can think of another one as well, but it might be cheating
9ff TRC-91 910hp/237mph
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/19/check-your-toupee-9ffs-997-turbo-cabrio-trc-91/
Mobius_1 4:36PM (10/23/2008)
I dunno, that car's roof isn't exactly a power-operated one that slides into the boot/trunk, and the spare one can't really take 200mph.
But I'd still take the Veyron, though.
Cardude 5:07PM (10/23/2008)
A truly magnificent Merc! Boxer, what exactly is a "boutique roadster"?
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BoxerFanatic 6:24PM (10/23/2008)
a non-mainstream offering. A specialized car, which is sold partially on it's exclusivity. Roadster just refers to the type of car it is.
An SL would be a high end mainstream car that one with money could probably pick up at any Mercedes dealer. An SLR McLaren is probably a lot harder to come by.
Z8 may have been a bit mainstream, but they sold so few of them, and they were pretty exclusive.
ExqueezeMe! 5:31PM (10/23/2008)
Please...save your money and your manhood. Buy a Hennessey Viper, and custom it out. If I remember correctly, it recently spanked everything including a Veyron and SLR in a 0-200mph test. No reason they couldn't cut the darn top off and do it again....
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ExqueezeMe! 5:36PM (10/23/2008)
I will give the designer credit though...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzo_the_Great
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jbl 6:32PM (10/23/2008)
this is better than the hard-top...
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HC 11:07PM (10/23/2008)
this looks better than the coupe.
i like.
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