Twenty years in the past, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren teamed up for a singular supercar mission.

The ensuing Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was the road-car facet mission of the 2 firms’ System 1 racing partnership. The partnership had produced a Constructors’ Championship, plus two Drivers’ Championships for Mika Häkkinen by the point the SLR was unveiled on the 2003 Frankfurt auto present.

In keeping with McLaren, the purpose was to capitalize on that success with a highway automotive. Mercedes confirmed an idea automotive referred to as the SLR Imaginative and prescient on the 1999 Detroit auto present, and McLaren confirmed plans for a manufacturing model codenamed Mission 7 on the British Grand Prix later that 12 months.

Whereas McLaren had constructed the F1 supercar, it was successfully ranging from scratch with the SLR. A workforce of ex-F1 mechanics and automotive engineers, together with Gordon Murray, have been chargeable for growing the automotive, which was additionally the primary to be produced on the firm’s McLaren Know-how Middle headquarters in Woking, England.

The SLR McLaren had the everyday components of a supercar, together with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and a supercharged 5.5-liter V-8 producing 617 hp. That energy was routed to the rear wheels by means of a 5-speed computerized transmission, permitting for an estimated 0-62 mph time of three.8 seconds and a high pace of 208 mph.

As an alternative of the trendy mid-engine configuration, nonetheless, the SLR McLaren had the long-hooded, front-engine form of the SLR Imaginative and prescient idea, additionally referencing the unique Mercedes SLR race automobiles of the Fifties. Along with the preliminary coupe, an SLR Roadster convertible was constructed, together with a 722 GT monitor automotive and a Stirling Moss speedster honoring the late racing legend.

Manufacturing resulted in 2009, together with the partnership between McLaren and Mercedes (Mercedes went on to kind its personal F1 workforce), however McLaren has continued to supply upgrades for the SLR fleet. In 2010, McLaren Particular Operations (MSO) launched a McLaren Version bundle with upgraded aerodynamics, tweaks to the suspension and energy steering help, and a restricted run of 25 items. In 2019, a collection of SLR by MSO upgrades have been launched, starting from new aero parts to quilted leather-based upholstery.

In Might 2023, McLaren delivered the primary SLR with a brand new Excessive Downforce Package impressed by the 722 GT monitor automotive. The equipment widens the monitor by 2.3 inches entrance and rear, and contains fender flares and a rear spoiler impressed by the one used on the McLaren F1 GTR. The manufacturing run of 12 items has already bought out.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren twentieth anniversary celebration at McLaren Know-how Middle

This text was initially printed by Motor Authority, an editorial companion of ClassicCars.com