Criticism

• The most criticized part of the car is its brakes. "It's not that they don't work, they do, but it's the way they do it: they are either on or off" (Richard Hammond, on Top Gear). Although extremely powerful, for those unfamiliar with their use, they have been described as binary, with little feel, and requiring some experience.
• Hammond also criticized the cheap-plastic feel of the dashboard.
• Some critics suggest the better buy is the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG with its more powerful engine (738 lb-ft torque), for about $200,000 less. It accelerates to 60 mph half a second slower (Although several road tests show that it is capabable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in less than 4 seconds) but thanks to more torque it is quicker in the higher speeds (though, as with all Mercedes road cars, limited to 155 mph). It can, however, have the speed limiter removed for around $6,000 US dollars with a transmission software upgrade from Brabus or Renntech.
• Mercedes-Benz put in an automatic gearbox. However, the transmission is smooth and is capable of holding gears for maximum RPMs while in manual III mode.
Comparison

Despite its 2-ton weight, the fuel economy is generally better than the lighter Lamborghini Murciélago, and even its lighter, less expensive, less powerful sibling, Gallardo. Also, BBC auto show Top Gear put the SLR and the Porsche Carrera GT on its track, and the Porsche beat the SLR-Mclaren by just over a second (1:19.8 vs. 1:20.9).[citation needed] However, on a separate race around the same track, the SLR was fractionally quicker than the Carrera GT. In a straight line, the SLR is quicker throughout the range.

722 Edition

A new version was introduced in 2006 called the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The 722 refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. The "722 Edition" creates 650 bhp, with a top speed of 337 km/h (5 more than the standard SLR). A new suspension is used with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and 0.4 inches lower body. The regular SLR is planned to end production in 2008, according to Mercedes-Benz.

Power is boosted to 478 kW (650 hp) and 820 N•m (605 ft•lbf) torque at 4000 rpm. Modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.4 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted.
 
Overall performance has increased, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h time of 10.2 seconds and 0-300 km/h in 28 seconds.

Exterior changes included larger 19-inch black alloy wheels and red 722 badging (harking back to the original 722 racer).

Roadster

A roadster version of the SLR has also been confirmed, due to to go on sale in September 2007 for £350,000. It uses the same supercharged V8 AMG power plant as its coupé siblings, developing 626 bhp, to propel it to a top speed of 332 km/h and enable a 0-62 mph dash time of 3.8 seconds. The Roadster's roof, however, is made from a "newly developed material" and hence will not take the form of a folding metal arrangement, as is now common on many modern cars. Following a manual unlaching, it takes a mere 10 seconds to fold away electrically.