Mercedes' SLR 722 Hits the Track with GT Version

Even though Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have more or less gone their

separate ways after the creation of the ultimate SLR (outside of F1), and that the car is now in its twilight days with the creation of the roadster model, this hasn't stopped privateers from stepping up to bat and modifying their SLRs. Take for instance the new GT model, developed by British motorsports company RML Group (headed by Ray Mallock) for Mercedes-Benz, who has converted the already upgraded 722 model into a full-out race car.

The 722 GT is very much like the FXX featured in yesterday's news, in that it isn't legalized for the road yet isn't sanctioned to compete in any other races than its own specific club racing series. The 722 GT doesn't have a series of specialized technicians and crew like the FXX does, though.

The sort of changes between a regular road-going Ferrari and the FXX Evoluzione race car are

similar to what you'll find between the regular 722 and the GT. The bodywork is for the most part new, with a race-grade aerodynamic kit including a serious-looking front splitter designed to keep the nose to the ground during high-speed cornering. Along the side of the car is a skirt so wide that it could be legitimately confused as a running board. Finally, around the back of the car the GT model features a fixed rear spoiler as opposed to the variable spoiler on the standard road-going model for extra downforce. It works in conjunction with a more effective rear diffuser to keep the back end firmly planted to the ground.

Where 650 horsepower might be overkill for a street car, there are no limitations for a race car, particularly when it participates in a single-model series.

RML upped power chiefly by increasing the supercharger's boost to 1.75 bar, plus other strengthening components were added allowing the 5.5-liter V8 engine to churn out 671 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque.

Most importantly the car's weight has dropped, thanks to the removal of most luxury and comfort items such as air conditioning, sound deadening materials and the stereo. These changes will no doubt make the 722 GT quicker around the track than any road legal SLR variants.

But the idea behind the 722 GT is that it allows those who partake in the ownership to experience what racing is like. The cost of entry is a cool one million euros, which is a significant hike up from the regular 722, but then again what race model isn't more expensive than its road-going donor car? There are also only 21 722 GTs being made, all of which have been snapped up. While money may not equate to happiness, it certainly looks like it might be capable of contributing to it.