Mercedes-AMG

The Mercedes-AMG One is a complex bit of kit. Touting a Formula 1-derived plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 1.6-liter V-6 that spins to a dizzying 11,000 rpm, the heavily scooped, spoilered, and finned hypercar has experienced serious setbacks since it first dropped cover at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017. Daimler’s then-boss Dieter Zetsche and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 ace Lewis Hamilton touted the car as a race car disguised as a road car, and by all accounts the consumer product is actually more mechanically ambitious than its F1 counterpart. Hence development hell through the intervening years.

There’s no shortage of interest in the sold-out road car, which went into production this year after a beleagured development process. While spy shots of the imperious hypercar have surfaced over the years, new footage points to a potential stab at setting a record at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack. 
[embedded content]
Why is this important? In a word, history. When Porsche’s uncorked 919 Evo Four set the Nürburgring record in 2018 with a gobsmacking time of 5:19.55, AMG’s then-honcho Tobias Moers calmly said his baby could go ‘round the ‘Ring even faster. “It’s not a production car and ours is,” he told Motoring.com.au. “We have to meet full homologation rules. We could do some things to the aero and take out the air conditioner and fit some slightly different tires and then I’d be confident about it. But we’re not going to do that.” 

Moers is the legendary speed whisperer who left AMG to lead Aston Martin, only to depart the Gaydon-based carmaker last May. With no telling what internal discussions are being had at Mercedes-AMG, one universal truth remains: Despite the temptation to take the high road and not engage in a war of numbers, there’s a certain cachet to claiming the top spot at an esteemed circuit.

First deliveries of the Mercedes-AMG One are anticipated to be right around the corner, so don’t be surprised if the 1,049 horsepower hypercar validates its rumored $2.7 million price tag with a record-breaking run at the ‘Ring. 

Back in the days of Miami Vice-era excess, life occasionally imitated art. Consider the case of one enthusiast who tracked down a Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer Coupe he just had to have. After acquiring the rare-as-hen’s-teeth two-door from Andy Cohen of Beverly Hills Motoring, he embarked on a road trip to Las Vegas and promptly got stopped for speeding—no surprise, given the coupe’s autobahn-burning 6.0-liter V-8. In any other decade, a speeding violation might have been the end of the story. But in the spirit of the sordid ‘80s, illicit substances were discovered during the stop and the man in question ended up behind bars, with the hot rod Hammer getting seized by the DEA. The car was later sold at a government auction to former Major League Baseball player Rob Deer, and traded hands several times before landing in the current seller’s hands.

Untrained eyes might confuse this particular Benz with a run-of-the-mill 300 CE—a fine, but commonplace car that can be readily sourced in the second-hand market. But so-called pre-merger AMG models, and in particular the legendary Hammer iterations, have become a grail car for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. AMG, before it was acquired by Mercedes-Benz in 1999 and integrated within the sprawling manufacturer’s portfolio, explored the outer edges of high-performance tuning through handmade engines and suspension components with a fanatical, atelier-style approach to tuning. The assiduous work was revealed when you popped the hood, but these hopped up models were otherwise hard to distinguish externally apart from flashier wheels and subtle bodywork mods. The crowning jewel of AMG’s efforts was the Hammer, which saw approximately 30 examples worldwide, and 13 sedans for the US market. Even rarer were coupe iterations, of which an estimated 5 exist; the only thing rarer is the Hammer wagon, which was built as a 1 of 1 car.

Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer Coupe 

The MB Market

This is the first time a genuine Hammer has become available in the US through a stateside auction site. “The Hammer Coupe embodies everything we’re trying to do,” says MB Market founder Blakley Leonard, whose online auction house is hosting the sale. “There’s no better pre-merger AMG than an actual Hammer,” he told Robb Report. “This is exactly the type of car we’re most passionate about.”

Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer Coupe from behind. 

The MB Market

This Hammer wears period correct chromed 17-inch Monoblock wheels and of-the-era tires which will need to be replaced with modern rubber for safety. The coupe rides on AMG-branded springs and shocks, AMG bumpers, skirts, and spoiler, along signature ’80s bits like a Sony stereo with a CD changer, and sheepskin seat covers. With 19,417 clicks on the odometer, the Hammer has plenty of miles ahead for those interested in motoring in ’80s style. But the buyer will need to be prepared to spend a pretty penny on the purchase: With nearly a week left in the auction and current bids at $303,000, these ultra-rare AMGs have proven that desire only grows with age. And one other word of warning: In case of over-enthusiasm with your new purchase on the highway, just be careful what you carry in the trunk.
Check out more photos of the Hammer below.

The MB Market

The MB Market

The MB Market

The MB Market

The MB Market

The MB Market

Sitting down at your desk in the morning may soon feel like getting behind the wheel of one of Mercedes-AMG’s boundary-pushing sports cars.

The German luxury marque’s performance sub-brand’s next release isn’t a vehicle—it’s an office chair. Based on the actual palatial seats found in its beloved cars and SUVs, the new chair is easily one of the coolest pieces of office furniture we’ve seen in quite some time.

Although most office chair tends to blend into the background, AMG’s office chair is sure to stand out in whatever room you put it in. The chair is based on the brand’s Performance seats and boasts a heavily sculpted shape meant to cradle your body as well as an integrated headrest. The seat is covered in black Artico synthetic leather and Dinamica microfiber broken up only by two curved red stripes and contrast stitching. It’s bold, but not garish like some of the increasingly over-the-top gamer thrones we’ve seen pop up in recent years. There’s also no mistaking who made the chair. The backrest features a metal AMG badge.

Mercedes-AMG’s office chair 

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG knows a thing or two about comfort, and its tried to apply that knowledge to its chair. Whether you’re sitting down to draft a quick email or settling in for an all-nighter, you’ll be comfortable thanks to its ergonomic design. The sitting position is stable and its pronounced side bolsters and seating surface will ensure you feel comfortable for hours at a time if necessary. And because no two people are the same, AMG has made sure it’s highly adjustable. The seat, padded armrests and aluminum cruciform base can all be calibrated to fit your needs.
You can register your interest in AMG’s office chair now through the sub-brand’s website. It should cost about $3,540, based on current exchange rates. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out, you’ll want to sign up for the brand’s Private Lounge. The first 50 chairs are reserved exclusively for members.

Mercedes-Benz raised the bar when it introduced its all-new C 300 sedan earlier this year, so it’s no surprise that its initial enthusiast-tuned follow-up act, the AMG-engineered C 43 sedan, elevates the C-Class to even loftier heights. A recent trip to Colmar, France, just miles from the Swiss border, allowed us an early opportunity to put the compact sports sedan through its paces before it arrives stateside at the end of the year.

All-new architecture allowed Mercedes-AMG, which recently debuted its all-electric Vision AMG concept car, to make a momentous change with this iteration of its C 43. Gone is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, but in its place is a new 2.0-liter inline-four power plant that combines an advanced combustion engine with an innovative electric turbocharger and a mild hybrid system. As a result, the model is more potent than its predecessor, and its technical innovation is cutting-edge.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 sport sedan. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

Mercedes-AMG engineers started with a gasoline-fed, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine—internally designated the M139L—and mounted it longitudinally under the hood. (The last time Mercedes offered a four-cylinder mounted “north-south” was in the early 1990s.) The all-aluminum engine, with combined port and direct fuel injection, follows Mercedes’ “One Man, One Engine” principle, meaning each one is hand-assembled in Affalterbach, Germany, and finished with a signed plaque.
Intake boost is supplied by a pioneering electric exhaust-gas turbocharger mimicking the automaker’s current Formula 1 technology. The compact turbocharger utilizes a thin 48-volt, liquid-cooled electric motor sandwiched between the turbine wheel and compressor wheel. When boost is requested, the electric motor instantly spins the common shaft to 100,000 rpm—preceding the arrival of exhaust gas—where it provides near-immediate boost with negligible lag. The exhaust gasses supplement shortly thereafter to increase the turbocharger’s speed to 175,000 rpm.

Due to the two-stage injection, a sophisticated cooling system—with multiple thermal zones—and the advanced electric turbocharger, the state-of-the-art engine is rated at 402 hp and 369 ft lbs of torque (the outgoing V-6 model made 385 hp). That specific output of more than 200 hp per liter allows Mercedes to tout the mill as the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine in a standard production vehicle.

The 402 hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine is mounted longitudinally under the hood. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

Yet there’s even more power under the hood. Augmenting the engine is a mild hybrid system with a 48-volt integrated starter-generator. Depending on the situation, the motor supplies an additional 13 hp to the mix and ensures that the engine’s fuel-saving start/stop program is nearly seamless to the occupants.
Power is transmitted through an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission, which is marketing-speak for a multi-clutch nine-speed automatic gearbox that uses a wet start-off clutch in place of a traditional torque converter (its advantages include lower mass, quicker response and lightning-fast multiple downshifts). Permanent all-wheel drive, provided by an AMG Performance 4MATIC, is standard. While most variants of 4MATIC offer variable torque distribution, the engineers at AMG set the C 43’s torque split at a fixed 31 percent front and 69 percent rear. The benefits include a rear-biased feel and improved traction while accelerating.

A distinctive rear diffuser, subtle decklid spoiler and quad round tailpipes considerably enhance the exterior of the model. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

In terms of underpinnings, the C 43 is fitted with Mercedes’ AMG Ride Control suspension with its Adaptive Damping System as standard equipment. From the left seat, tuning the C 43’s driving dynamics is effortless with the five AMG Dynamic Select programs (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual) that tailor engine responsiveness, transmission-shift speed, steering weight, electronic stability control (ESP) intervention and suspension firmness. Individual mode is distinctive because AMG allows customization of the ESP system—those who choose to push the limits of physics may configure ESP to allow high drift angles or defeat ESP altogether. In addition, rear-axle steering, allowing up to 2.5 degrees of steering angle, is standard on all C 43 models to enhance stability and turn-in.
As expected, the AMG-tuned sedan is fitted with an upgraded brake and wheel/tire package. The rotors are more robust, with four-piston calipers in the front and single-piston units in the rear (both painted silver). Standard are the 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, but most buyers will likely go for the larger 19- or 20-inch optional alloys. Our test vehicle wore Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (265/30-20) at all four corners, which is an exceptional choice in factory rubber.

Our tester’s interior featured a perforated Nappa-leather flat-bottom steering wheel, AMG pedals, AMG floor mats and a full complement of premium upholstery upgrades. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

The sport sedan boasts a more aggressive sound thanks to a variable exhaust-gas flap that tunes the audio level based on the selected drive mode. Whereas the current trend is to tune exhaust systems with over-the-top burbles, pops and cackles, the C 43’s exhaust is restrained with a pleasant, understated growl that never sounds obnoxious. Nevertheless, those seeking a bit more rock-and-roll for their ears should opt for the AMG Real Performance Sound that amplifies the exhaust note and feeds it into the passenger cabin for a “particularly emotive sound experience,” according to the automaker.
The standard C 300 sedan, a handsome four-door with gorgeous lines and appealing proportions, is visually much sportier than its predecessor. Nevertheless, the team at AMG improved upon an already good thing with the C 43—its AMG-specific vertical grille, aggressive bumpers, distinctive rear diffuser, subtle decklid spoiler and quad round tailpipes considerably enhance the exterior with a bold motif.
Following the same trend, the interior is offered with AMG sports seats—some of the most comfortable we’ve ever experienced—paired with red seat belts. In addition, there’s a perforated Nappa-leather flat-bottom steering wheel (configured with two round AMG dials), AMG pedals, AMG floor mats and a full complement of premium upholstery upgrades; the contrasting colors and stitching are eye-catching.

The AMG sports seats were among the most comfortable we’ve ever experienced. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

Mash the throttle from a dead stop, and the C 43 jumps off the line quickly (the electric exhaust-gas turbocharger unquestionably reduces lag) and pulls strongly through each of its gears. The launch is drama-free and without a hint of wheelspin, thanks to all-wheel-drive traction and the grippy Michelin tires. Mercedes-AMG claims the 3,900-pound sedan will bolt from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, but that may be slightly conservative based on our seat-of-the-pants assessment—it feels quick. The top speed, with the optional 19- or 20-inch wheels, is 165 mph.

Most drivers (and passengers) will be hard-pressed to tell that there’s a four-cylinder under the hood considering the power and its delivery; the C 43 pulls well when prodded to perform. Driving through the rolling hills along France’s Alsace Wine Route, the electric turbo technology proves impeccably integrated. Passing slow trucks is effortless, especially if the steering wheel–mounted paddle shifters are used to drop a gear or two before executing the maneuver. And while pushing the sport sedan hard in the higher elevations of the Vosges Mountains, where the Mercedes grips each corner with claw-like tenacity, the innovative turbo is nearly transparent—the engine demonstrating faultless responsiveness.

Mercedes-AMG claims the 3,900-pound sedan will bolt from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 165 mph. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

The AMG Speedshift is buttery smooth in regular automatic operation (almost too leisurely for all but the most sedate driving styles). However, Mercedes-AMG has calibrated Sport and Sport+ modes to deliver a more exhilarating feel, with more perceptible shifts. Of the five modes, Sport offers the best balance for those who want to relish the driving experience—the C 43 feels alive and peppy without the sensation of being over-caffeinated.
This is an exemplary luxury sport sedan with considerable athletic abilities. It doesn’t cover all the bases, as those seeking track-honed performance and neck-snapping acceleration need to hold out for the upcoming C 63. Yet we’re confident that the all-new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 will more than fit the needs of most driving enthusiasts.

Even after 40-plus years, Mercedes-Benz is still finding ways to make the G-Wagen more potent.

The German marque has just unveiled a new beefed-up take on the powerful AMG G63. Officially known as the 2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 4×4² (or 4×4 Squared), the luxury SUV is designed to make mincemeat of any terrain by adding higher ground clearance to its solid powertrain.

The menacing green monster follows in the footsteps of the first 4×4 Squared, which was based on a G550 and released back in 2015. Once again, Mercedes has completely overhauled the standard model’s design in order to increase the four-wheeler’s off-road capability.

The cabin features a 12.3-inch digital display. 

Mercedes-AMG

Under the hood, the 4×4 Squared is fitted with the G63’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 and the same 9-speed automatic transmission. Like the original, it’s capable of churning out 585 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque. Where it differs, though, is the ride height.
The 4×4 Squared is equipped with front and rear portal axles (with independent suspension) that give a ground clearance of 13.8 inches. That’s 4.3 inches more than the standard G63. This means the off-roader is capable of climbing a 45-degree grade and can wade water at levels of up to about 35.8 inches. The regular G63, meanwhile, can climb 27-degree slopes and take to water 27.5 inches deep.
What’s more, the extra height allows for the fitment of larger wheels and tires. As standard, 22-inch machined alloy wheels will be equipped, along with fat off-road tires for plenty of grip.

The SUV sports 22-inch machined alloy wheels shod in off-road tires. 

Mercedes-AMG

In terms of looks, this particular example is finished in a “Green Hell Mago” named after the Nürburgring, but there are some 40 other hues to pick from if that’s not your vibe. Elsewhere, the model is distinguished by a unique spoiler above the windscreen with LED driving lights, a new spare wheel carrier with 4×4² lettering and various carbon-fiber accents. You can also opt for a roof rack with a rear ladder.
Inside, the cabin has diamond-quilted Nappa leather seats, carbon trim and extended ambient lighting that goes into the air vents. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital display with a unique start-up screen and rear-view mirror.
Mercedes hasn’t revealed pricing details or production numbers. The marque did say, however, that the G63 4×4² will be available for a limited period of time. Stay tuned.

Good things come to those who wait.

Just look at the Mercedes-AMG One. A production version of the 1,063 hp hypercar finally made its big debut on Wednesday, five years after it was first announced. And based on our first look at the futuristic speed machine, the German marque’s sub-brand appears to have delivered exactly what it promised—a road car with Formula 1-quality performance.

Despite taking nearly a half decade to get here, the production model looks remarkably similar to the Project One concept unveiled at the 2017 International Motor Show Germany. And that’s not a bad thing: Low to the ground and with a wide track, the hypercar’s carbon-fiber body retains its progenitor’s curvaceous shape, including giant fenders in the front and rear. It has also held on to almost all of the original aerodynamic elements, including a roof scoop, shark fin and giant rear wing.

Mercedes-AMG

The One doesn’t look like a race car from the outside, but it does from the inside. The interior is stripped down, with almost none of the creature comforts you’d expect from AMG’s parent company. There’s room for just a driver and passenger, and everything has been done up in menacing matte black. There are two 10-inch displays, though. A digital instrument panel is positioned behind the Formula 1-style rectangular steering wheel, while an infotainment screen has been positioned in the center of the spartan dashboard. You can use the latter to navigate or check out what’s behind you via the its rear-view camera. The steering wheel and pedal box are also adjustable so the driver can find a position that feels just right.
Of course, what really separates the One from the rest of the AMG lineup is its Formula 1-derived, plug-in hybrid powertrain. At the heart of the boundary-pushing setup is the same mid-mounted, turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 with a Motor Generator Unith (MGU-H) similar to the one you’ll find in Mercedes-AMG Petronas’s race cars. But the 574 hp engine—which is mated to a custom-made seven-speed automated manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle and has a 11,000 rpm redline—is only responsible for just over half of the hypercar’s power. The rest comes via the assistance four additional electric motors. One is directly mounted onto the engine, another onto the turbocharger, while the other two can be found on the front axle, one situated on each wheel. (The motors on the front axle also give the car all-wheel-drive capability.) As if that’s not enough, the system is connected to an 8.4 kWh battery pack that gives it 11 miles of electric range, should you need it.

Inside the One 

Mercedes-AMG

The turbocharged V-6 and four motors combine to generate a monstrous 1,063 hp, according to the automaker. That’s the grunt more than any other AMG vehicle before it—and more than had previously been expected. You’ll be able to feel all that power when you’re on the road, too. Mercedes says the One can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds (and to 124 mph in seven seconds) on its way to a top speed of just shy of 219 mph.
Other racing-inspired features include the One’s multi-link suspension setup, which has push-rod coilovers and adaptive dampers. It’s nine-spoke magnesium forged wheels also come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires and are equipped with carbon ceramic brakes. Finally, the vehicle has a Drag Reduction System just like an Formula 1 car, which allows you to lower downforce by 20 percent so you can hit optimal speed on straight always.

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG hasn’t revealed a price for the One as of writing, but you can expect it to cross well into the seven-figure range. The exclusive model—AMG will make just 275 examples, all of which are already spoken for—is slated to go into production later this year. Only time will tell, but we suspect those lucky enough to have already secured theirs will feel it was more than worth the wait.
Check out more photos of the One below:

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG is preparing to say goodbye to the internal combustion engine once and for all, and what will arrive in its place is nothing if not striking.

The German luxury marque used its Capital Markets Day investors summit at the Maybourne Riviera hotel above Monte Carlo to debut something big on Thursday evening—the brand-new Vision AMG. The sleek concept, which Formula 1 racers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell helped unveil, offers a glimpse of what can be expected from the automaker’s high-performance sub-brand as it transitions away from gas engines completely later this decade.

Further enforcing the Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to electrification, the Vision AMG four-door concept was developed to introduce the all-new AMG.EA electric platform that will drive future performance models from the Affalterbach team. Complementing the nascent power-train configuration are styling cues made workable by the absence of an internal-combustion engine.

The new concept car features the latest reimagining of the automaker’s hallmark Panamericana grille. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

“It began as a blank sheet of paper; we started that architecture from scratch and it’s very important architecture because that’s AMG’s electric future,” says Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s chief design officer. “For us as designers, proportion is everything. The problem with most electric cars is that you have six inches of battery, which makes the car higher and the center of gravity further up. This was a great opportunity for really different proportions.”
The motorsport-inspired Vision AMG is defined by its low-slung profile, long wheelbase and roof that tapers to an elongated, fastback rear, similar to that of the marque’s Vison EQXX concept, which recently covered more than 620 miles on a single charge.
“The rear of the EQXX is optimized for efficiency, while the rear [on the Vision AMG] is optimized for both efficiency and performance,” Wagener says, adding that he was inspired by the Le Mans race cars from the 1970s. “As it’s an electric car, we put the hood super low, and that means we can do exposed fenders. I’ve always loved those, but with a combustion engine it was always difficult to do that because the hood is already high; to expose the fenders you would have to make it even higher. These are going to now be a signature for not only AMG but future electric Mercedes models in general.”

The motorsport-inspired Vision AMG is defined by its low-slung profile, long wheelbase and roof that tapers to an elongated, fastback-like rear. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

Other aesthetic standouts include six glowing faux tailpipes and the latest reimagining of the automaker’s hallmark Panamericana grille, a design element introduced in 1952 on the automotive entrants in that year’s eponymous endurance competition in Mexico. This iteration, however, features luminous vertical bars set against a solid fascia.
“In the digital age, we’ve brought that [Panamericana Grille] to a car that doesn’t need a radiator anymore,” Wagener says. “We’ve kept it flush, integrated in body color and almost just as a light signature.” Part of that new signature incorporates minimalist headlamps shaped in the form of the three-pointed-star logo. According to Wagener, “the whole front end makes it look more like a tech device than a supercar.”
Yet a supercar it is. For this particular concept, the AMG.EA platform is touted to comprise a bleeding-edge high-voltage battery setup paired with an equally advanced axial flux motor from Yasa, the EV-motor specialist under the Mercedes-Benz Group’s corporate umbrella. As far as output, Wagener will only hint that the Vision AMG is to have “insane horsepower.” To emphasize this point, the vehicle sits on the same F1 wheels used by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, which also inspired the livery.

Lewis Hamilton (with George Russell behind) ready to join the Vision AMG on stage at the Maybourne Riviera hotel above Monte Carlo. 

Viju Mathew

“I was really excited to see what this was going to be like,” said Russell at the premiere. “When do we get to drive it?” he asked, looking around the group of attendees. “Who do we need to ask?”
Some of the concept’s thunder may have been stolen about an hour later, though. That was when Mercedes revealed that a one-of-two 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé became the world’s most expensive car when it sold for $142.8 million on May 5. That car (and its sky-high price tag) are going to be hard for anyone to forget, but the Vision AMG was a sign that Mercedes’s future has the potential to be just as impressive as its past.

On May 19, at the Côte d’Azur’s new Maybourne Riviera hotel above Monte Carlo, Mercedes-Benz capped off its Capital Markets Day summit for investors with a couple of groundbreaking reveals. Formula 1 racers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell helped debut the all-electric Vision AMG concept car in what would normally be a truly grand finale on any other occasion. It was, however, succeeded soon after by the unveiling of a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which became the most expensive car in history when it crossed the auction block for an astounding $142.8 million on May 5. The two cars are at seemingly opposite ends of the marque’s legacy, but only at first glance.

Further enforcing the automaker’s commitment to electrification, the Vision AMG four-door concept was developed to introduce the all-new AMG.EA electric platform that will drive future performance models from the Affalterbach team. Complementing the nascent power-train configuration are styling cues optimized by the lack of an internal-combustion engine.

Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s chief design officer, alongside the Vision AMG. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

“It began as a blank sheet of paper; we started that architecture from scratch, and it’s very important architecture because that’s AMG’s electric future,” says Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s chief design officer, when asked by Robb Report about the concept’s inception. “For us as designers, proportion is everything,” Wagener says. “The problem with most electric cars is that you have six inches of battery, which makes the car higher and the center of gravity further up. This was a great opportunity for really different proportions.”
The motorsport-inspired Vision AMG is defined by its low-slung profile, long wheelbase and roof that tapers to an elongated, fastback-like rear, similar to that of the marque’s Vison EQXX concept, which recently covered more than 620 miles on a single charge.

“The rear of the EQXX is optimized for efficiency, while the rear here [on the Vision AMG] is optimized for both efficiency and performance,” says Wagener, who adds that he was inspired by the Le Mans race cars from the 1970s. He goes on to say: “As it’s an electric car, we put the hood super low, and that means we can do exposed fenders. I’ve always loved those, but with a combustion engine it was always difficult to do that because the hood is already high; to expose the fenders you would have to make it even higher. These are going to now be a signature for not only AMG but future electric Mercedes models in general.”

The motorsport-inspired Vision AMG is defined by its low-slung profile, long wheelbase and roof that tapers to an elongated, fastback-like rear. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

Other new aesthetic standouts include six faux tailpipes that glow, and the latest reimagining of the automaker’s hallmark Panamericana grille, a design element introduced in 1952 on the automotive entrants in that year’s eponymous endurance competition in Mexico. This iteration, however, features luminous vertical bars set against a solid fascia.
“In the digital age, we’ve brought that [Panamericana Grille] to a car that doesn’t need a radiator anymore,” say Wagener. “We’ve kept it flush, integrated in body color and almost just as a light signature.” Part of that new signature incorporates minimalist headlamps shaped in the form of the three-pointed-star logo. According to Wagener, “the whole front end makes it look more like a tech device than a supercar.”

The new concept car features the latest reimagining of the automaker’s hallmark Panamericana grille. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

Yet a supercar it is. For this particular concept, the AMG.EA platform is touted to comprise a bleeding-edge high-voltage battery setup paired with an equally advanced axial flux motor from Yasa, the EV-motor specialist under the Mercedes-Benz Group’s corporate umbrella. As far as output, Wagener will only hint that the Vision AMG is to have “insane horsepower.” To emphasize this point, the vehicle sits on the same F1 wheels used by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, which also inspired the livery.
“I was really excited to see what this was going to be like,” stated racer George Russell at the premiere. “When do we get to drive it?” he asked, looking around the group of attendees, “who do we need to ask?”

Lewis Hamilton (with George Russell behind) ready to join the Vision AMG on stage at the Maybourne Riviera hotel above Monte Carlo. 

Viju Mathew

One would be hard-pressed to believe that a car representing such a pivotal shift for AMG could be upstaged, but indeed it was. Less than an hour after the Vision AMG was made public, Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, officially announced what’s claimed to be not just the world’s most expensive car sold at auction, but the priciest period. On May 5, at an invite-only event presided by RM Sotheby’s from the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart, Germany, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé fetched a record-obliterating $142.8 million.

This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for $142.8 million at auction on May 5. 

Mercedes-Benz AG.

The car is one of only two prototype racers developed by engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut and his team for the 1955 Carrera Panamericana. That year’s competition, though, was called off, and Mercedes abandoned motorsport entirely, all due to the infamous Le Mans tragedy where Pierre Levegh and his SLR catapulted into the crowd, killing the driver and 83 spectators. Uhlenhaut’s project was subsequently shuttered and this particular example, fit with a 297 hp inline-eight engine mated to a five-speed transmission, came into his own possession. The fact that its top speed was touted to be approximately 186 mph only added to this 300 SLR’s mystique.

Mercedes engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut with his namesake coupé. 

Mercedes-Benz AG

“As the saying goes, never say never,” said Källenius when breaking the news. “We have been approached many times over the years by collectors, museums and other interested parties wanting to buy an Ulenhaut; we’ve always said no. But it has become increasingly clear to us that having our heritage hidden away in the holy halls is, in some ways, a missed opportunity. These incredible cars are works of art and should be more widely celebrated. We thought, ‘wouldn’t it be interesting to see what it’s really worth . . . and what if we did something good with the money, something for society?’”

Only two examples of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé were built. 

Mercedes-Benz AG.

That thought process led to the formation of the Mercedes-Benz Fund, of which the Uhlenhaut Coupé became instrumental in starting. Renata Jungo Brüngger, a member of Mercedes-Benz’s Board of Management for Integrity and Legal Affairs, refers to the sale as “seed money” for what she describes in the official statement as a “global scholarship program supporting young people in their studies, commitment and actions toward a more sustainable future.”

Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, stands with a new Mercedes-AMG SL. 

Mercedes-Benz AG.

It’s fitting that the location on the French Riviera, not far from where Mercedes first came to life on a racetrack in Nice back in 1901, was the stage for the world’s oldest automaker to spotlight these two disparate machines. Although separated by nearly seven decades, each now fulfills the same purpose of illuminating the three-pointed star’s road ahead.

Will.i.am and Mercedes-AMG just created a striking concept car, all in the name of charity.

Fittingly christened the “WILL.I.AMG,” the futuristic four-wheeler is based on an AMG GT four-door but has been extensively modded by the folks at West Coast Customs. This is actually the sixth time the chart-topping musician, whose given name is William James Adams Jr., has enlisted the Los Angeles customizer for a bespoke ride. This time around, however, the outlandish one-off was built to bring attention to the multihyphenate’s latest philanthropic project called “The Flip.”

And bring attention it will. With the boxy front end of a G-Wagen, the Will.i.AMG sports menacing monoblock wheels and two giant suicide doors in place of the regular four doors. Elsewhere, the Mercedes badge on the grille has been replaced with a new “Bear Witness” logo, which is essentially a bear with a three-pointed star for a mouth. The founding member of the Black Eyed Peas pointed out that he didn’t touch anything under the hood, because “AMG really does make the best engines.”

The Will.i.AMG is presented along the Bear Witness clothing line. 

Mercedes-AMG

Aside from looking ultra-cool, the sports car is meant to be a visual symbol for the way the duo plans to drive forward The Flip initiative to give students from disadvantaged communities access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education.
“I watched legendary hip-hop artists rap about Mercedes, so it was always a dream to own a Mercedes,” the “Where is the Love?” singer said in a statement. “For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle.”
The Will.i.AMG will make its world debut at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami this weekend. There’s also a six-part documentary dedicated to the car called Drive that will premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. Finally, the marque has released a line of limited-edition Bear Witness apparel online and at the Mercedes-AMG Experience Center.
If all that doesn’t get your attention, we don’t know what will.
Check out more photos below:

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG

Brabus has called its new desert racer the Crawler, but the high-powered buggy is primed to do way more than crawl.

Built to celebrate the German tuner’s 45th birthday, the offroader is essentially a Mercedes-AMG G63 with everything turned up to 11. Rocking a new exposed body and more power than the average G-Wagen, the Crawler is designed to make mincemeat of any terrain. Oh, except roads; this thing definitely isn’t street legal.

Tipping the scales at 4,553 pounds, the four-wheeler sports a custom tubular chassis made from high-intensity steel. The majority of the Merc’s body panels have been removed and replaced with lighter carbon fiber parts. (For comparison: The Crawler is about half a ton lighter than the original G63.) The buggy has also been equipped with a rear spoiler, a lightbar and huge off-road tires that give it plenty of attitude.

The Crawler is good for 888 hp and 922 ft lbs of twist. 

Brabus

Under the hood, meanwhile, the twin-turbo V-8 has been bored out to 4.5 liters, because why not? Mated to a 9-speed auto gearbox, the mill is now capable of churning out 888 hp and 922 ft lbs of twist. (The torque is electronically capped at 774 ft lbs, though.) Belying its moniker, the Crawler can soar from zero to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 100 mph, however, to protect the off-road tires.
With an impressive 20 inches of ground clearance, the Crawler should able to navigate all manner of obstacles. It also features a Brabus suspension with some 6.3 inches of spring travel and four-way adjustable shocks.
Inside the airy cabin you can expect four full-carbon racing seats finished in the same red as the exterior accents, along with a Mercedes steering wheel and display. Naturally, there’s also a GPS-based nav system just in case you get lost in the desert.

Inside, the Crawler sports four full-carbon racing seats. 

Brabus

Of course, this isn’t the first burly 4×4 Brabus has based on the Mercedes-AMG G63. Just this year, the folks at Bottrop turned the G-Wagen into a 790 hp supertruck known as the 800 Adventure XLP Superblack.
As for the Crawler, it will be limited to just 15 examples, with five delivered each year from 2022 to 2024. As for price, each buggy costs $793,000 (€749,000). That’s one hell of a birthday present, Brabus.
Check out more photos below:

Brabus

Brabus

Brabus

Brabus

Brabus

Brabus

Brabus