2007 McLaren Mercedes SLR

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German grand tourer car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking and sold from 2003 to 2009. When it was developed, Mercedes-Benz owned 40 percent of the McLaren Group.

Due to the automatic gear box, front mid-engined arrangement, and its driving characteristics, some commentators classify the SLR McLaren as a GT, whose rivals would be vehicles such as the Aston Martin DBS V12 and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

SLR stands for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz stated that they would build 3,500 SLRs over seven years, with an annual production of 500 cars but these numbers were never actually achieved making the model significantly rarer. In fact, in 2007 just 171 SLR's, in either coupé or roadster form were designated for sale outside the USA. The car's base price of 295,337 ensured exclusivity and made it the ninth most expensive street-legal car in the year 2008.

The SLR sports a 232kg hand-built 5,439cc, supercharged, all-aluminium, single overhead cam V8 engine. The cylinders are angled at 90 degrees with three valves per cylinder and lubricated via a dry sump system. The Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger rotates at 23000 revolutions per minute and produces 0.9 bar of boost. The compressed air is then cooled via two intercoolers. The engine generates a maximum power of 617hp at 6500rpm and maximum torque of 580 lb/ft at 3250 - 5000rpm.

The 5-speed automatic transmission is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT R with 3 manual modes. For durability Mercedes selected a 5-speed transmission rather than their 7-speed gearbox which was more complex and used more parts.

This car was first registered in Germany in October 2007. Offered for sale by the same first owner the car has covered just 4,000 miles, is well serviced, and accordingly, is sold in as new condition. It is finished in unmarked metallic black, the preferred colour scheme, especially when contrasted with the red leather interior and black carpets as present here. This is certainly one of the most stylish modern GT cars ever manufactured and with the optional turbine wheels it features highly on our "most wanted' list.