Performance Review: Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLR Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Mercedes SLR Class has a 5439cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The SLR Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the SLR Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1750 kgs (3858 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SLR Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp)

In terms of power the 5439cc 24V V8 engine produces 641 bhp (477 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 605 lb-ft (820.2 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft) or the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (593 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes SLR Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Lamborghini Reventon Roadster 6.5L V12 (391.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SLR Class.

The Mercedes SLR Class has a Power to weight ratio of 366.2 bhp per ton and 345.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 SLR Class competing with the 2009 Lamborghini Reventon Roadster 6.5L V12 (391.1 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Aston-Martin Speedster 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (390.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes SLR Class generating around 345.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (367.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12 (367.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.7 secs, this made the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster as fast as the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the or the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs). This Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster is also faster than the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible (3.70 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLR Class and the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 7.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLR Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.63 secs @ 117.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 7.2 V8 (11.57 secs), the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (11.57 secs), and the 2013 Audi A8 4.0 V8 TFSI Quattro (11.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster has a maximum speed of 208mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 SLR Class equals the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (219 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 S Roadster then how about the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (219 mph), the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (220 mph), or the 2011 Aston-Martin One77 7.3L V12 (220 mph).

Related Links:

2008 SLR Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison