SLR McLaren Seats

the seats in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren are considered masterpieces of mid-2000s carbon-fiber engineering. Unlike the seats in modern McLarens, the SLR units were a unique collaboration between Mercedes-Benz luxury and McLaren’s Formula 1 composite expertise.

1. The “Fixed-Shell” Design

The SLR seats are unique because the carbon-fiber shell is a single, rigid piece. Instead of moving the seat on a traditional rail with a reclining back, the entire seat pivots and slides, but the backrest angle is fixed.

• Construction: Carbon-fiber composite shell.

• Adjustment: Electric fore/aft and height adjustment, but the “recline” is determined by the seat’s fixed mold.

• Sizing: Mercedes offered five different seat sizes at the time of purchase. Since the shell cannot be widened, owners had to be “fitted” for the car.

  • Sizes ranged from Small to Extra Large.

  • By 2026, finding an SLR with “Large” or “XL” seats is significantly more desirable for resale value, as they accommodate a wider range of drivers.