Mercedes SLR Mclaren 722 GTR

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Sept 28, 2007 - Mercedes-Benz hasn't participated in endurance sports car racing since the CLK-GTR raced Lemans almost ten years ago. When the company released the 722 Edition last year, little did we know it was actually a homologation model for a potential FIA GT sports car.

In releasing the GTR, Mercedes have become romantic about their Mille Miglia-winning 300SLR which Stiring Moss piloted to victory in 1955. This was followed by a Uhlenhaut Coupe that never made it into production. The 2008 GTR now pays tribute to this little-forgotten legacy and opens a new chapter in Mercedes motor sports.

Even before its release date, the very first 722 GTR was spotted at a Mercedes dealership in Germany. Accompanied by a brief specification sheet, it was obvious the work was carried out AMG/McLaren themselves and their comprehensive program now modifies almost every aspect of the car.

Immediately noticeable is the new body which is much wider to handle 19 OZ racing wheels. The front grill vents are gone and much larger, freer flowing air extractors sit on the hood and flank the side of the car. The rear now has a massive wing and an equally sizable diffuser.

Under the body, the car has shed 300kg and reduced its dry weight to 2866 lbs (1300 kg). The engine remains in relatively stock specification and still produces 650 bhp.

Inside, the car is appropriately stripped out with only the essential functions being controlled from a carbon fiber binnacle. New carbon fiber door panels and full roll cage complete the transformation.

Only 21 examples of the GTR are planned to be made and each costs upward of 750 000 Euros. We hope that a race team will pick up the model to race in FIA GT1, but that will depend on ambitious motivation to race a front engine car against the much more suitable Maserati MC12.

722 GTR #1 was spotted at a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Germany

 

[Turbo Lag]

All i can say is and . I loved the SLR, now this

 

[bennyrrr]

Amazing. Just Amazing

 

[Muzaffar]

🤬! That is one hot mother 🤬 I mean its just drop dead gorgeous!! If it was a homologated car this could very well mean Mercedes is going back to its roots in motor sport. Hopefully they would race the car and not make it "exclusive" track cars....

 

[McLaren]

Well, being FIA legal is surprising...however, so is the fact that the same automatic transmission from the road car has been carried over. 👎

 

[F1GTR]

Need For Speed much?

 

[exigeracer]

Can't wait to see some studio shots.It's hard to judge it in that environment.

 

[Sakiale]

While it does remind me of the 300SL, I think that the strake above the front fenders which makes them look truncated could have been better executed. I'm also not a fan of the decals. Either full-race spec or nothing, unless it's very good-looking.

 

[Philly]

Wow. That looks amazing. With the stance and the bits added on (Loving the diffuser) this is one mean machine. I'm not too hot on the spoiler, but hey, it's about function so how can I complain?

I'm sure it is quick too.

But what is the racing intent of this car? The article said it was probably going to be for homologation, but where will it race? Is Mercedes going back to Le Mans or are they headed somewhere else?

 

[Appie]

Wow, that car is a beauty. I hope it will compete in FIA GT:tup:

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

I highly doubt this is FIA legal. Just looks like a few bits and pieces stuck on, with boring decals. I'll take the 'regular' SLR, thanks.

 

[V1P3R]

Would've been cooler if it was all CF... well lighter too.

 

[Alex.]

Now all the SLR'S we see on need for speed (regarded as hideous with a large spoiler) now look very good.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I would've thought this would've been posted here not too long after the article was made.

At first I was really happy to see that there would be an FIA GT spec SLR, but then I became sceptical with the apparent new FIA GT1/GT2 regulations coming into place in '09 (read about this on ten-tenths). If those apparent regulations are true then why would Mercedes bother with this project if it's only going to be able to run for one year, unless they know something we don't. As far as we know this could actually be a low production track car somewhat like the FFX and MC12 Corsa.

Right now I guess we'll have to wait and see where the FIA are going. I'm hoping they'll keep the current regulations because I really like todays GT cars.

 

[Quattro20v]

Wow, they managed to make an ugly car even uglyer.👍

 

[Stevisiov]

Wow, they managed to make an ugly car even uglyer.👍

I will have to disagree on that one bar the decals that is one nice machine, and it will have imporved performance to go with the super car staus now, not that it was lacking performance in the first place. I would like to see some non-showroom shots they usually look better outside the showroom and on the tarmac.

 

[ND4SPD]

Faints....

 

[Turbo Lag]

Would've been cooler if it was all CF... well lighter too.

Yep going in the (good) direction of Zonda...

 

[Dave A]

I highly doubt this is FIA legal. Just looks like a few bits and pieces stuck on, with boring decals. I'll take the 'regular' SLR, thanks.

So, why wouldn't it be FIA legal? And what do the decals have to do with anything? Do you think you buy a factory race car pre-sponsored.

 

[daan]

An FIA GT race car is road legal.

The FIA defines a GT car as "an open or closed automobile which has no more than one door on each side and a minimum of two seats situated one on each side of the longitudinal centre line of the car; these two seats must be crossed by the same transversal plane. This car must be able to be used perfectly legally on the open road, and adapted for racing on circuits or closed courses."

 

[Joey D]

It looks a bit goofy but I do like it. I'll be curious to see how it runs around a track.

 

[JCE]

I'll be curious to see how it runs around a track.

I can only imagine this thing being an insanely awsome car on the track. I want to see a 'ring time!

 

[harrytuttle]

It's not pretty, but it looks like it works. Most high-end sports cars that have been made to various FIA specs usually look pretty good, like the C6R and the DBR9, but this just isn't working. Visually it's a failure, but I'm sure it works from a technical standpoint. I hope.

 

[exigeracer]

That diffuser wouldn't pass pedestrian bumper laws. Unless someone can find me some proof that a sharp piece of carbon at ankle height is legal, I'm calling not street legal.

 

[Sakiale]

Street legal. Diffuser. Sexy. Hi, CardCaptor Yoshi!

 

[Speedster502]

I don't know whether to drool at this or too throw up...

 

[daan]

That diffuser wouldn't pass pedestrian bumper laws. Unless someone can find me some proof that a sharp piece of carbon at ankle height is legal, I'm calling not street legal.

Its at the back. Unless they reverse at you at great speed, I don't see the problem.

And a JCB digger is road legal even though its got a great big metal scoop with spikes at the front.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

An FIA GT race car is road legal.

No it isn´t. Your qoute is for a homolagated GT car, not a raceprepped car.

 

[Alex.]

In the first picture both alonso and hamilton's helmets are on stands I believe

 

[McLaren]

I highly doubt this is FIA legal. Just looks like a few bits and pieces stuck on, with boring decals. I'll take the 'regular' SLR, thanks.

It must FIA legal to a degree if Mercedes....

hope that a race team will pick up the model to race in FIA GT1, but that will depend on ambitious motivation to race a front engine car against the much more suitable Maserati MC12.