First-ever photos of one-of-a-kind Mercedes supercar revealed, LA residents may get a glimpse
- This is the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster HDK supercar
- It’s the first of its kind ever made
- The vehicle is currently being built in London
Published on Mar 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Mar 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
New images have revealed the first glimpse of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster HDK supercar.
Back in 2022, McLaren Special Operations announced it would be creating the SLR HDK – a special edition of its iconic SLR McLaren.
The luxury automaker said at the time that only 12 of the vehicles would be produced.
Now, newly shared images reveal there’s an even more exclusive SLR HDK in the form of this one-off Roadster version.
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The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster HDK is a very special car
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was jointly developed by McLaren and Mercedes-Benz and was launched in 2003.
Following its initial release, the car had several variants, including the Stirling Moss edition in 2009, the 722 GT racing car, and the Roadster 722S.
A decade on from its original release, McLaren announced the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren HDK (High Downforce Kit) – a bespoke vehicle road-going version of the SLR 722 GT.
Although based on the SLR 722 GT, the HDK had several changes from the original including an upgraded steering system, side grills, and a modified V8 that could pump out up to 680 horsepower.
Now, images of another SLR HDK have surfaced online – but this time around the car is even more exclusive as it’s the first McLaren SLR Roadster HDK.
Designer Marco van Overbeeke, who designs liveries and concept rending for McLaren shared a sneak peek at the new supercar.
The car is currently being built in London
Unfortunately, the images don’t show the whole car but they do show that it’s still a work in progress.
The SLR McLaren Roadster HDK is finished in sage-green metallic paint with a white stripe running along the center of the car.
The words ‘McLaren Special Operations’ and the letters ‘SLR HDK’ have been carefully painted on the car in white.
The car appears to have been given some new carbon fiber vents on the bonnet and a carbon splitter.
The McLaren SLR Roadster HDK is currently being built in London, but once it’s done, it’s set to be sent out to LA-based car lover Dr. Ben Talei – also known as Muybenno on social media.
Sharing the images on his Instagram page, Talei said the car was ‘turning super sinister and beautiful’.
He vowed to give it its first test drive in London, before flying it out to Beverly Hills.
He’s also hinted that the car won’t be a garage queen.
“If you need to ask How many miles are on it, then you don’t get what this car is and what I’m going to do with it,” he wrote.
So, if you happen to live in LA keep your eyes open, because it could be hitting a road near you soon.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
