Whenever an automaker unveils a new limited-run performance car, the best possible reaction is one of awe. Internet commenters abuzz with interest, social media absolutely popping off, just utter dominance of the discourse with a positive general outlook, even if just for the moment. Think Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. Unfortunately, not everything can be an obvious hit. This is the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, and it elicits one reaction: huh?
Let’s start with power. Under the hood sits AMG’s beloved four-liter twin-turbocharged V8 pumping out 577 horsepower, or the same as an SL 63. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive, AMG claims a zero-to-62 mph time of 3.6 seconds, which — oh wait, that’s exactly the same time Mercedes-AMG claims for an SL 63 4MATIC+. There’s no plug-in hybrid system here, but also no turning up the wick, which means it’s probably time to move onto something a little more interesting.
Instead of the expected windscreen and roof you’d find on pretty much every production car on the planet, the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed gets a tiny strip of Perspex and an F1-inspired halo that ties in with roll hoops to complete a rollover protection system. This is certainly more involved than the setups seen on the McLaren Elva and Ferrari Monza SP, and an overt nod to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team. While it certainly makes a statement, it’s not hard to imagine a few potential drawbacks.
It’s easy to guess that highway speeds in a car like this usually offer a particularly loud in-cabin experience, so Mercedes-AMG has fitted the PureSpeed with an intercom system that doesn’t just let the driver and passenger talk, it also beams music and phone calls directly into their helmets. That makes sense, but then it also comes with a 15-speaker, 1,170-watt Burmester sound system that’s hard to imagine being particularly light once you add up all the components.
Speaking of weight, it’s hard to ignore that this thing looks a whole lot like a Mercedes-AMG SL. So, is this.a case of some SL panels like the doors being draped on something entirely different? Well, not exactly, because AMG states that this thing’s “based on Mercedes-AMG’s sports car architecture,” meaning the PureSpeed is really just a windshield-less limited-run SL 63, right down to the aluminum spaceframe. I don’t know about you, but there’s something odd about taking a 4,321-pound grand touring convertible and trying to turn it into a hardcore, bugs-in-your-grill machine.
You wouldn’t enter the Kentucky Derby riding a rhinoceros, or play competitive basketball wearing full Victorian formal garb, or have your sole form of communication be carrier pigeon, so why start with something heavier than a two-door Ford Bronco if you’re planning on making a stripped-down special posturing as a supercar?
It’s easy to understand the heritage-evoking plan of Mercedes’ Mythos series, but in an era when authenticity is king, this might not have been the best option to win the hearts of Benz-collecting diehards. For instance, the brand could canonize the notorious Red Pig AMG-tuned S-Class race car with a stripped-down, stiffened up, boosted-to-the-moon hardcore version of the S 63 that’s sincere to its inspiration. Considering the PureSpeed is supposed to be a nod to the 300 SLR, SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, and AMG Vision One, it comes across as more of an appearance treatment than anything.
Of course, there’s also the possibility that Mercedes-AMG has shaved enough weight off of this thing to make it a proper sports car, but without actual figures, it’s hard to tell where the PureSpeed actually fits into the landscape. Considering a McLaren 750S weighs 3,062 pounds in its lightest spec, it’s a bit hard to imagine AMG shaving anything close to 1,259 pounds off of an SL to creature the PureSpeed. Still, with a global run of just 250 cars, this thing should have enough interested buyers. As it stands, one thing’s for certain: Of all the ways you can spend the value of a house on a limited-run performance car, this is certainly one of them.
(Photo credits: Mercedes-AMG)
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I guess they didn’t learn from Ferrari and McLaren about the lack of popularity of roof less cars.
My Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 liter twin turbo V-6 does 0-60 in the same time this does? Indeed. My car is prettier, too.
I guess the writers here are not allowed to say anything not nice about the cars. Is that a whole vehicle media industry issue nowadays? Get shut out of future freebies if you have a negative opinion?
I don’t have any constraints, so: No, it is a stupid way to spend money. So is a cybertruck. I don’t mind other people doing it, but I will think they are stupid people.
Oh, you didn’t want my opinion? Well, tough shit.
This is almost certainly a nod to John Phillips’s excellent C&D Cadillac EXT review. At least it’s what I thought of when I read that line: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15137235/2002-cadillac-escalade-ext-archived-test-review/
That is a heck of a toss-back! That guy didn’t ever want to be given a Cadillac Review Assignment ever again!
That one has a heck of a lot more snark. I approve. We (I believe) want info, not fluff.
Between the missing roof, that paint job, and the front end styling at first glance I thought this was going to be an article about a Camry that caught on fire.
Makes a nod to their F1 team.
Doesn’t use the F1 team’s colors.
For some reason, when I Iook at this car I can’t tell the back from the front. I’m just fixated on how the front could be the back and the back could be the front. Like take that last picture, reverse the seats, replace the brake lights with LED’s, and you’d get something interesting. I’m not saying good, but more interesting than the soft poop aesthetic it has going on now.
There’s gotta be at least 250 sportsball players, Billionaires, CEO’s, Tyrants & Oligarchs with coke-addicted sons whose names end with a “Jr” or numeral that need Xmas gifts to themselves this year.
This is for them.
Sometimes things don’t make sense. Humans feel a need to force sense upon a world that simply does not give a toss.
“play competitive basketball wearing full Victorian formal garb”
Game. Blouses.
-Prince
It looks so half-assed; like they just lopped off the top part of car. But most companies that release these open-cockpit concepts/production cars do it too.
Jump…
the…
Shark.
They forgot Fridays COTD, so are we gonna get “Comment of The Yesterweek”?
Aztek Motor Group Puregross. I’d take the gold Autopian whip before that car any day, even if the resale value was less.
It might be more appealing if Mercedes at least presented in silver as the paint scheme on this car doesn’t do it any favours. And, yes, the paint job does make it’s butt look big. I had forgotten about the Sterling Moss 722 SLR and I can imagine that AMG would be happier that no one compares the two as it only highlights how silly and poorly executed this car is.
Why?
Simple – buying one of these advertises to everyone who sees you in it that you can afford it, in the loudest way possible. The big stereo makes that literal. It’s the only reason it exists.
CGI pics, no details, no specs, no price, no actual car. At least it has a name.
CGI pics?? These look real to me!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkBr61CuDr1/ this you?
That’s a creepy obsession you have looking to dox commenters. And no.
It’s one of the dumbest cars of 2024 and I want one, damn it! You’ve got to Mercedes some credit for actually building this chariot of stupidity…and at least this AMG has a V8 as god intended. I think this unapologetically absurd vehicle should be celebrated, not criticized.
It’s the Cross Cabriolet of 2024 (both derogatorily and affectionately).
It’s stupid and that’s okay
This is one way to try and make a Halo car.
So… does AMG now stand for Asthetically Most Grotesque?
They made an SL63 even busier visually, cut off the roof so that the busy detailing on the lower half is all you see, and then made a paintjob so that the hood and front bumper — the busiest parts — stand out the most.
I’m just staring off in the distance wondering if the guys stuck in that windowless tomb in Carlsbad are okay.
“windowless tomb in Carlsbad” – this tickled a memory of something but I can’t place it, would you mind explaining this reference? X-Files? Breaking Bad? It feels like there’s a book I should be thinking of, too. Hmmmmm
Mercedes-Benz’s exterior design headquarters is in Carlsbad California. If you’ve ever seen the building there’s no windows except in the back, unless you count the two sets of glass doors which just immediately face the wall in the lobby.
Was totally off base, but that’s what we call a learning experience. Thanks!
That bar down the centre is hideous.
Yeah, they could perhaps have put a bar at each side instead.
Oh, then they could fit a windscreen between the bars, as they’re already there.
Oh, then perhaps a roof and side windows, plus a rear window.
That would be nice.
Meh.
Oh Lord don’t you buy me this Mercedes Benz,
It ain’t got no windshield; I can’t hear my friends.
The roof’s done a runner and the paint job offends,
Oh Lord don’t you buy me this Mercedes Benz.
This guy should win a “Topie”.
Collector vehicles sit in warehouses anyway, so as long as it’s standing still, you might as well have one that LOOKS like it goes fast while it sits there appreciating.
Its easier to kill cars that put all the expensive electronics on the floor if you forget the roof.