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Discovery Center
Hands-on activities invite young visitors to explore how cars are designed, built, and powered.
Mercedes-Benz × McLaren
Petersen Automotive Museum Sweepstakes
Win a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
A Mercedes × McLaren icon with a supercharged V8. Every entry supports Petersen Automotive Museum education programs.
617 HP
Supercharged V8
3.8 SEC
Approx. 0–60 MPH
200+ MPH
Top speed
$250,000
Cash option
*Prize and cash option are subject to the Official Rules and the $2,000,000 minimum fundraising threshold.
Enter the sweepstakes
Choose your entries
Closes September 30, 2026 Drawing October 8, 2026
- Supports Petersen education programs
- Entry powered by TapKat
- Petersen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
THE SLR IN MOTION
Born from Formula 1 ambition
Mercedes-Benz luxury meets McLaren engineering in one of the most extraordinary grand touring cars ever built.
Why this SLR is extraordinary
A rare collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the SLR combines Formula 1-derived engineering with true grand-touring luxury.
- 617-hp supercharged V8 — hand-built power with 575 lb-ft of torque.
- Carbon-fiber monocoque — exceptionally light, rigid construction developed with McLaren.
- 200+ mph capability — approximately 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds.
- Active aerodynamics — including an automatically deploying rear airbrake.
- Instantly recognizable — butterfly doors, side-exit exhausts, and a dramatic front-mid-engine profile.
Vehicle Specs
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is powered by a hand-built 5.4-liter supercharged V8 producing 617 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 5-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Built with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, it combines lightweight construction with exceptional rigidity, while a front-mid-engine layout helps deliver near-ideal weight distribution. Performance is blistering even by modern standards, with 0–60 mph in around 3.8 seconds and a top speed exceeding 200 mph. Massive carbon-ceramic brakes, active aerodynamics including an automatically deploying rear airbrake, and a sophisticated suspension system ensure the SLR delivers both high-speed stability and grand touring comfort.
Highlights & Features
- Carbon-fiber monocoque construction developed with McLaren
- Hand-built 5.4-liter supercharged V8 producing 617 horsepower
- Signature butterfly doors and side-exit exhausts
- Active rear airbrake and advanced aerodynamics
- Massive carbon-ceramic brakes
- Driver-focused leather and carbon-fiber cockpit
- Grand-touring comfort with 200+ mph performance
Explore the SLR McLaren
See the details that made this Mercedes-Benz × McLaren collaboration an enduring automotive icon.
Your support in action
Your entry fuels curiosity
Petersen Automotive Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Sweepstakes support helps the museum connect young people with automotive history, design, engineering, and hands-on learning.
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School Tours & Outreach
Automotive stories become engaging learning experiences for students, educators, and community groups.
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Preserving History
Your donation helps preserve automotive history for future generations through restoration and conservation efforts.
Three simple steps
How it works
Enter with confidence and help support the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Choose how to enter
Select an entry package through the secure TapKat module, or use the no-purchase entry method described in the Official Rules.
Support the Petersen
Your participation supports the nonprofit Petersen Automotive Museum and its mission-driven programs.
Winner selected
A secure random drawing is scheduled for October 8, 2026. The winner will be contacted by phone and/or email.
Thank you to our partners and sponsors
Questions answered
Sweepstakes FAQ
Key details from the official TapKat FAQ, collected here so you can enter with confidence.
What is the grand prize?
The winner will receive the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren or a $250,000 cash option. Awarding either grand prize requires a minimum of $2,000,000 in donations. If that minimum is not reached, Petersen Automotive Museum will award the cash prize described in the Official Rules.
When does the sweepstakes close and when is the drawing?
Entries close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 30, 2026. The winning entry is scheduled to be drawn at Petersen Automotive Museum at approximately 1:59 p.m. PDT on October 8, 2026.
Who is eligible to enter?
The sweepstakes is open to people age 18 or older, or the age of majority in their jurisdiction if older, where sweepstakes are legal. Geographic and other restrictions apply, so review the Official Rules before entering.
Is a donation required to enter?
No purchase or payment is necessary. Entries may be obtained online with a donation, by postal mail, or without a donation using the method described in the Official Rules.
Where does my donation go?
This sweepstakes is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Petersen Automotive Museum. According to the official TapKat FAQ, 100% of the net donation or entry payment is paid to the nonprofit; Petersen pays credit-card processing fees and TapKat’s platform fee.
How is the winner selected and notified?
The winner is selected from eligible entries using a secure, industry-standard random number generator. You do not need to be present. Petersen will notify the winner by phone and/or email using the information supplied at entry.
Are donations tax-deductible, and is the prize taxable?
Consult your accountant to determine whether your donation is tax-deductible. Sweepstakes prizes are considered income, and the winner must submit all applicable tax forms before receiving the prize.
Who can I contact with another question?
Review the complete FAQ and Official Rules first. For additional help, contact Petersen Automotive Museum at info@petersen.org.