A rare opportunity has surfaced for collectors as a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR “McLaren Edition” is now being offered via private sale by RM Sotheby’s. Only 25 of these upgraded coupes were ever made, making this Japan-spec model a highly sought-after find. The vehicle was originally delivered to Tokyo in 2005 and later underwent the full “McLaren Edition” transformation in the UK in 2017, a process that cost the current owner over $175,000.
This limited-edition SLR was part of a unique collaboration between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz, which ran from 1995 to 2014. Inspired by the legendary 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, the original SLR McLaren debuted in 2003, merging high-performance engineering with luxury appointments. Though production ended in 2010, McLaren Special Operations reimagined 25 examples a year later with enhanced aerodynamics, steering, suspension, and a titanium exhaust system, while preserving the powerful 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine.
This specific example is painted in a deep metallic red that shifts to black under certain lighting. It rides on wheels from the 722 S variant and features tinted headlights and windows. The interior is finished in black Alcantara with red contrast stitching, along with a numbered center console plaque to indicate its exclusivity. Although the odometer reads just over 17,500 miles, fewer than 750 miles were added post-upgrade, signaling minimal wear since its transformation.
The car remains in Tokyo and is now available for purchase at $700,000—a hefty figure, but one that reflects the rarity and bespoke enhancements of this elite supercar.
