Mercedes-AMG. The name itself conjures images of roaring engines, blistering performance, and a touch of rebellious spirit within the realm of German automotive engineering. While BMW M cars offer scalpel-like precision and Audi RS models deliver organ-compressing speed, AMG has always been synonymous with unbridled power and a thrilling, sometimes sideways, driving experience. For decades, AMG has cultivated a reputation as the wild child of German performance, the one who isn’t afraid to push boundaries and deliver cars that are as exhilarating as they are luxurious.
Celebrating over half a century of tuning Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and 25 years as an official division of the marque, AMG’s history is rich with iconic and unforgettable models. From subtle performance enhancements to outright engineering marvels, AMG’s portfolio is vast and varied. To celebrate this legacy, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 favorite AMG Mercedes, ranging from the wonderfully refined to the delightfully outrageous. Prepare to delve into the world of the Best Amg Mercedes cars ever created.
10. Mercedes G65 AMG: The V12 Dinosaur
The Mercedes G65 AMG earns its place on this list not for its dynamic prowess – let’s be honest, it’s not designed for corner carving – but for its sheer audacity. Imagine taking a vehicle initially conceived as a robust military off-roader, known for its boxy shape and body-on-frame construction, and then lavishly outfitting it with leather and, most crucially, a monstrous 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing a staggering 621 horsepower.
The G65 AMG is an automotive anachronism, gloriously out of sync with modern sensibilities. Its very existence is a testament to excess, a defiant middle finger to practicality and efficiency. The fact that this V12-powered behemoth was available in some markets until as recently as 2017 speaks volumes about its enduring appeal. We celebrate the G65 AMG as a magnificent automotive dinosaur, a testament to a time when more was unequivocally more.
9. Mercedes-AMG One: Formula 1 Engineering on the Road
Speaking of dinosaurs, the development story of the Mercedes-AMG One is reminiscent of that famous Jurassic Park quote: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” The journey from concept to production for the AMG One was a grueling five-year saga, fraught with engineering challenges and delays.
The fundamental question was: can you successfully transplant a genuine Formula 1 engine into a road-legal car? The answer, emphatically, is yes. But should you? Ask anyone involved in the AMG One project, and the response might be a weary, “probably not.” Few outside of Mercedes-AMG, a handful of privileged journalists, and the select customers who actually drive it (rather than preserve it as a garage queen) have experienced the AMG One’s driving dynamics. However, its significance lies not just in driving feel, but in its sheer engineering brilliance. The Mercedes-AMG One is a rolling testament to what is technically achievable, a Formula 1 car for the road, and its very existence justifies its inclusion on this list of best AMG Mercedes.
8. Mercedes SL73 AMG: The V12 Roadster of Legends
Today, AMG models are an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. However, in AMG’s nascent years, their creations were far more exclusive, specialized, and significantly rarer. This exclusivity was particularly evident in the AMG-tuned versions of the elegant and modern R129 SL roadster of the 1990s.
The pinnacle of these R129 AMGs was undoubtedly the SL73. In an era when AMG model designations genuinely reflected engine displacement, the SL73 boasted a massive 7.3-liter V12 engine. This powerhouse produced 518 horsepower, all within a car that, visually, was barely distinguishable from a standard SL280 to the untrained eye. Adding to its legendary status, this very V12 engine would later find its way into upgraded versions of the iconic Pagani Zonda, cementing the SL73’s place in automotive history and among the best AMG Mercedes ever made.
7. Mercedes E63 AMG Estate W212: The Supercar Wagon
It’s a cliché in automotive journalism, but no list of performance cars is complete without a fast estate, or wagon as it’s known in some markets. Our AMG pick in this category is the pre-facelift W212 generation E63 AMG Estate (technically the S212 chassis code for the wagon variant).
This was a luxurious and spacious estate car offering a cavernous cargo area, but beneath the hood resided AMG’s formidable 6.2-liter M156 naturally aspirated V8 engine. And despite Mercedes’ persistent marketing claims for nearly two decades, it’s genuinely a 6.2-liter, not a 6.3. What more could you possibly desire? Exceptional fuel economy? That’s definitely not part of the equation. Spoiler alert: this isn’t the last appearance of an M156-powered AMG on this list, a testament to its brilliance and why it contributes to making this list of best AMG Mercedes so compelling.
6. Mercedes-AMG GT R: Track-Focused Precision
The base AMG GT was a promising sports car, but the original GT R was a watershed moment, demonstrating that AMG possessed more than just juvenile tire-smoking antics up its sleeve. Of course, the GT R could readily indulge in smoky drifts, but it also showcased a depth of dynamic capability that positioned it as a serious driver’s tool, capable of challenging the best from BMW and even Porsche.
Building upon the standard GT, the GT R was widened, lowered, lightened, and stiffened in every conceivable area. Beyond its potent 4.0-liter 577 horsepower twin-turbo V8, the GT R’s standout feature was its nine-stage traction control system. These settings ranged from near-total electronic intervention to a completely hands-off approach, demanding significant driver skill. Encased in a dramatically widened and menacing iteration of the standard car’s already striking body, the AMG GT R served notice to the Porsche 911 GT3 that it no longer had a monopoly on track-focused German performance and deserves its place among the best AMG Mercedes.
5. Mercedes SLS AMG: Gullwing Grandeur and V8 Soundtrack
The Mercedes SLS AMG could have easily been a mere retro caricature, a car defined solely by its attention-grabbing gullwing doors and little else. Thankfully, it was far more profound. The SLS AMG was a breathtakingly elegant grand tourer, powered by an all-time great engine – the 6.2-liter M156 V8 (yes, it makes another appearance!).
While the hardcore Black Series variant was exceptional, it’s the original SLS AMG, with its timeless beauty, that captures our hearts. It might not have possessed the razor-sharp handling of some supercar rivals, but that wasn’t its primary mission. The SLS AMG was designed for effortlessly covering vast distances in opulent comfort, accompanied by the glorious roar of that naturally aspirated V8, and making a grand entrance with those iconic upward-swinging doors upon arrival. It’s a true icon and one of the best AMG Mercedes ever conceived.
4. Mercedes CLK GTR: Homologation Special Royalty
The Mercedes CLK GTR doesn’t officially bear the ‘AMG’ badge in its name, but it was meticulously crafted by AMG at their renowned Affalterbach facility, granting it honorary AMG status and an automatic entry onto this list. And is there really any need to justify its inclusion?
Among the pantheon of 1990s GT1 racing homologation specials, all undeniably cool, the CLK GTR reigns supreme. It featured a thunderous 6.9-liter V12 engine, generating a colossal 622 horsepower. Despite being essentially a road-legal race car, the CLK GTR surprisingly offered a semblance of luxurious interior appointments. And we can’t help but appreciate the humor in the off-the-shelf grille, headlights, and taillights – a somewhat transparent attempt to visually link it to the far more mundane CLK coupe, even if it did execute the aesthetic remarkably well. Speaking of CLKs…
3. Mercedes CLK DTM AMG: DTM Race Car for the Road
CLK DTM AMG or CLK Black Series? Choosing between these two hardcore specials, both derived from the second-generation C209 CLK coupe, was a challenging debate. Ultimately, we leaned towards the earlier CLK DTM AMG.
Its arrival felt utterly unexpected. Typically, when a car manufacturer triumphs in a racing series (as Mercedes-Benz did in the 2003 DTM touring car championship), the commemorative special edition involves little more than cosmetic enhancements like stickers and a numbered plaque. However, the CLK DTM AMG was a full-fledged skunkworks project. It boasted a widened body, reduced weight, and a ferocious 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine lurking beneath the hood. With a top speed of 199 mph, it surpassed even the later Black Series in outright velocity. And for reasons that defy complete understanding but are eternally appreciated, it was also available as a convertible, solidifying its place as one of the best and most unique AMG Mercedes.
2. Mercedes AMG Hammer: The Original AMG Statement
Securing the second spot is another pre-Mercedes-Benz-ownership AMG masterpiece: the AMG Hammer. For those unfamiliar, the Hammer was a comprehensively modified version of the W124 Mercedes-Benz – the predecessor to the E-Class. The W124 already had a potent variant in the Porsche-engineered 500E, but AMG took it to another level.
Offered in various configurations, the most potent Hammer featured a 6.0-liter V8 unleashing 375 horsepower – a colossal figure for a refined sedan in the late 1980s. It was available as a sedan or coupe, with a solitary estate version also rumored to exist. All Hammer models featured widened bodywork, and most were finished in menacing black paint with body-colored split-rim wheels, exuding an aura of understated aggression. But the primary reason it nearly topped our list? Its unforgettable name: the Hammer. It’s the quintessential early AMG and a true legend.
Image: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
1. Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series: The King of Black Series
The hardcore Black Series models have consistently represented the most revered AMGs, and in our estimation, the lineage reached its zenith with the C63 AMG Black Series. The magnificent M156 V8 engine made its triumphant return, now generating 510 horsepower and producing an utterly captivating soundtrack.
Complementing the potent engine were extensive chassis modifications, including fully adjustable KW suspension, a limited-slip differential, and a three-stage stability control system. This allowed drivers to explore the car’s limits, indulging in the long, smoky, lurid drifts that are synonymous with the AMG driving experience.
Topping it all off was the Black Series’ signature touch: aggressively enhanced, subtly widened bodywork. This gave it the appearance of a car that demanded respect. In essence, akin to the BMW M3 CSL which topped our list of best BMW M cars, the C63 Black Series transformed a relatively ordinary compact executive coupe into an ultra-focused, lightweight streetfighter of immense cool factor. It’s an irresistible formula, and that’s why the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series claims the coveted top spot as the best AMG Mercedes of all time.
