The joint collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, two very capable companies when it comes to performance, back in the early 2000's resulted in this very polarizing supercar. Introduced in a period that saw other companies bring out their best hypercars (Porsche came with the legendary Carrera GT, Ferrari had its mighty Enzo), it wasn’t a standout performance-wise within its class.
It was also quite expensive, and although looks are subjective, I have to say this car isn’t exactly my cup of tea. When the SLR came out, I wasn't a fan. Thirteen years later, its looks still haven't grown on me. In my opinion, it's a tad on the ugly side, and I'm still not sold on the turbine wheels that other gearheads seem to love. The proportions are awkward; the front section is far too long compared to the rear. I don't even want to imagine trying to drive and park one of these on a daily basis.
Mercedes didn’t sell very many of them, with sales falling well below expectations, so this experiment was hardly a success. Good thing none of that matters since we’re talking diecast here, and despite this being an old model, it’s still among Maisto’s finest. The quirkiness of the SLR has been recaptured perfectly. The wheels are replicated to the fullest extent. The detailing is above average for this price point, even today. I'm particularly impressed with the interior, but it just might be the fantastic color choice. The shutlines could use some work, but that's because there's opening components all the way around. And of course, those butterfly doors.
Like I said, one of Maisto's best for a decade-old model. Never hurts to add another supercar to the stable.
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