One to Buy: Crystal Galaxite Black Met. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition Coupe
To boost SLR sales and satisfy those customers that wanted a more driver-focused machine, Mercedes sanctioned a run of 300 high performance specials: the 722 Edition.
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006, the 722 Edition came with a more powerful engine (641bhp instead of 617bhp), a more dynamic chassis, an aggressive new aero kit and a sportier interior.
The production run would comprise 150 Coupes and 150 Roadsters, all of which were left-hand drive.
The 722 moniker was a reference to the number worn on the 1955 Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes 300 SLR driven by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson. Moss and Jenkinson smashed the existing course record and set a time that was never bettered before the Mille Miglia was banned two years later.
One of the 150 722 Edition Coupes built is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction on July 14th.
Chassis 001290 was configured in the handsome but rarely seen Crystal Galaxite Black Metallic with Black / Anthracite upholstery, red stitching, red seatbelts, Large seats and Paint Protection Film applied to the front bumper and side sills.
The car’s first service was carried out in Germany at 4755km in 2008. Since then it has had a further four services (the most recent in 2023) and spent time out in the Middle East.
Today chassis 001290 is UK registered and has covered a little under 11,000 miles. It is offered in very good condition throughout and is a very nicely optioned example of the ultimate road-going SLR.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description:
Registration no. LE56 MLV
Chassis no. WDD1993761M001290
10,821 miles (17,413km) recorded
Manufactured between 2003 and 2010, their new supercar allowed Mercedes-Benz and its then Formula 1 partner, McLaren, to showcase their collective experience in the development, construction, and production of high-performance sports cars and, just like its legendary 300 SLR predecessor of 1955, it incorporated technological developments that were ahead of their time.
Built at Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance division, the 5.5-litre, 24-valve, supercharged V8 produces 617bhp, making it one of the most powerful ever found in a series-produced road-going sports car. Impressive though this peak horsepower figure is, it is the torque produced by this state-of-the-art 'blown' motor that is its most remarkable feature. The torque curve is almost flat: there is already 440lb/ft by 1,500 rpm and well over 500lb/ft between 3,000 and 5,000 revs.
Needless to say, the SLR McLaren delivers performance figures that are still among the best in its class. Taking just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h (62mph), it passes the 200km/h (125mph) mark after 10.6 seconds, and from a standing start takes just 28.8 seconds to reach 300km/h (186mph). The sleek two-seater has a top speed of 334km/h (207 mph).
First registered in 2006 and believed to have had only two owners, the car offered here is an example of the '722 Edition', the '722' referring to the victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia of Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson, whose Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR had the starting number '722' (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.). This exceptional car has the following desirable options:
19" forged aluminium wheels painted Palladium Grey with Silver rims
Crustal Galaxite Black metallic paint
Sports package
Carbon fibre front splitter
Carbon fibre rear wheel spoilers
Carbon fibre iterior trim
Carbon fibre rear diffuser
Carbon fibre footwells and rear arches
Mobile pre-installation kit
Exclusive Black/Anthracite leather
CD changer
'722' badging
'722' embossed on head restraints
300 SL red contrasting stitching
Sports steering wheel
Suede interior trim
Sporty damper set-up with 10mm height reduction
Red seat belts
Semi-aniline leather
Large size seats
Modified air brake deployment angle
Paint protection film (PPF) applied to front bumper and side sills
This car comes with its service booklet recording two services by Mercedes-Benz agents: the first carried out in Munich in February 2008 at 4,755 kilometres, and the second in Dubai in August 2018 at 14,084 kilometres. It is known that the car was also serviced in Kuwait at some time.
The current odometer reading is 10,821 miles (17,413 kilometres). Also on file is an invoice for the 2018 (engine out) service. The vendor advises us that there have been four other services: in 2009, 2019 and 2023. Offered with a UK V5C registration document, current MoT and a folder of paperwork and information, this collectible modern classic must be every Mercedes enthusiast's dream.
