Autoblog

Certain cars encourage a response that is as routine and predictable as the reaction to a stoplight, and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is one of those cars. This is what happens every time someone gets in one, irrespective of their age, sex, or nationality: she snuggles into the seat, looks into the footwell to make sure her feet are placed just so on the pedals, slides her hands around the steering wheel for a couple of seconds to find just the right position, snuggles into the seat again... and then she just sits there, staring off into the distance. She might flip the paddles once or twice, or check out the center console. Then it's back to the thousand yard stare at the wall in front of her. She gets her picture taken, notices the line of people waiting to do the same thing, and it's all repeated again and again. And for good reason – the SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is topless testosterone-topped terrificality. 650 horsepower from a supercharged 5.5L V8 and a convertible soft top that'll stay put above 208 mph deserves the attention. You can check out the specs after the jump, or better yet, go straight to the gallery of high-res images below that we snapped in between the line of people waiting to sit in it.

Mercedes has unleashed a more powerful and sportier variant of the SLR McLaren called the SLR 722 Edition. Produced to honor Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson's 1955 Mille Miglia victory, the "722" name is a hat tip to their 300 SLR's start number 722 (which corresponded with its 7:22 AM start time).

The SLR's power has been boosted to a thundering 650 horsepower, and a re-tuned suspension lends the car an even more sporting character. Visually, the front air dam, and rear diffuser get revisions to improve aero performance. Black wheels and red "722" badging clue passers-by in to the fact that this is no garden-variety SLR.

Inside, copious amounts of carbon fiber, leather/alcantara seating and a new race-type wheel complete the package.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition goes on sale July 11.

(Many more pics, release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]