Mercedes-Benz’s partner in crime, McLaren, is assembling the last examples of the final edition of the SLR, the Striling Moss, marking the end of one supercar era for the German firm and the beginning of another – the SLS AMG Gullwing. Jointly developed by Mercedes and McLaren, the outgoing SLR was launched onto the market in 2004.

The SLR was produced in five different variants including the standard coupe and roadster, the more powerful 722 Coupe and Roadster models, and the hardcore 650HP SLR Stirling Moss that was presented in January 2009 and will be built in a limited run of 75 units.

Overall, 2,000 SLRs have been produced in the five years it remained in production which is substantially more than any other sports car in this special category.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is the crown glory of the soon-to-be discontinued, SLR McLaren super sports car. Named after the British motor racing legend and Mille Miglia record-holder Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary SLR racing cars during the 1950s, the speedster version of the SLR comes with neither a roof nor a windscreen. Not that anyone will leave the car exposed to the elements of nature, but the vehicle can be closed by two tonneau covers which are carried in the boot.

Power is provided by the same supercharged V8 engine as the standard SLR with an output of 650HP. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), the SLR Stirling Moss is the fastest series-production car drop-top in the world.

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Not to be outdone by the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, this is Mercedes’ own ultra-fast open-top. Snappily named as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S, it’s a convertible version of the special edition 722 variant. And yes, Merc is indeed eking all it can out of the SLR supercar before the SL Black and SLC/Gullwing arrive.

Just 150 722 SLR S models will be built and that ‘722’ designation (sadly) doesn’t refer to the brake horsepower output, but the number of Stirling Moss’s race-winning 300 SLR from the 1955 Mille Miglia.

Is this Mercedes 722 S drop-top merely a mix of other SLR parts?

Essentially yes. The S is an SLR roadster with all the 722′s special tweaks.

So we start with a carbonfibre SLR, but add a ’722 S’ etched wind deflector and an aluminium-reinforced folding fabric roof with carbon-look weave – though said roof still needs to be manually unlatched.

The supercharged 5.5-litre V8 is then tweaked, lifting power from 617 to 641bhp, while torque climbs from 575 to 605lb ft. That means the 0-62mph sprint passes by in 3.7 seconds, 125mph flashes up in 10.6 and the top speed is raised to 209mph. And all these figures are achieved through a five-speed automatic – those AMG engine builders in Affalterbach are clearly doing a decent job.

What about other tweaks and changes?

There are new 19-inch forged aluminium wheels, hiding huge ceramic brakes and red callipers. The springs and shocks are stiffer, while the suspension has been lowered 10mm front and rear. The SLR 722 S retains the huge air brake and diffuser.

The 722 updates include a new front splitter, lots of ‘722 S’ badges, plus leather and Alcantara seats with contrasting red stitching and red seatbelts. The interior also features a suede-covered gearlever and handbrake, climate control, a Bose stereo and paddles for the gearbox

All 722 S editions are made by McLaren in Woking, England, the first cars will be available from January 1 2009 and prices should start at around £370,000.

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