2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 GTR

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.

In Detail
price 775 000 Euros
engine 90 Degree AMG V8 w/Dry Sump
position Front-Mid Longitudinal
aspiration Screw-Type Compressor w/Two Charge-Air Coolers
valvetrain SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl
displacement 5439 cc / 331.9 cu in
bore 97 mm / 3.82 in
stroke 92 mm / 3.62 in
compression 8.8:1
power 484.7 kw / 650 bhp @ 6500 rpm
hp per litre 115.09 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 500.0 bhp per weight
body / frame Carbon Fibre Body w/Competition Wing, Diffuser, Wider Wheel Arches
front brakes Internally Vented Carbon Discs w/8-Piston Calipers, ESP, SBC
rear brakes Solid Carbon Discs w/4-Piston Calipers, ESP, SBC
front tire size Michelin
rear tire size Michelin
steering Rack & Pinion w/Speed Sensitive Assist
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Doube wishbones
weight 1300 kg / 2866 lbs
wheelbase 2700 mm / 106.3 in
front track 1638 mm / 64.5 in
rear track 1569 mm / 61.8 in
length 4656 mm / 183.3 in
width 1908 mm / 75.1 in
height 1261 mm / 49.6 in
transmission 5-Speed Auto w/Speedshift System
gear ratios 3.56:1, 2.19:1, 1.41:1, 1.00:1, 0.831:1
top speed 337 kph / 209.4 mph
0 - 60 mph 3.0 seconds