Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury and performance, but when it comes to sheer speed and exhilarating driving dynamics, the Mercedes-AMG division truly sets the benchmark. For decades, Mercedes-AMG has been crafting high-performance vehicles that not only boast incredible top speeds and acceleration but also deliver a thrilling driving experience.
When we talk about fast cars, top speed and 0 to 60 mph (or 0 to 62 mph, which is approximately 100 km/h) sprint times are often the metrics that immediately come to mind. And within the Mercedes-Benz universe, it’s undoubtedly the Mercedes-AMG models that consistently dominate the speed charts. As the high-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, AMG engineers vehicles that push the boundaries of automotive engineering, resulting in some of the fastest production cars on the planet.
In this article, we will primarily focus on top speed as the key indicator of “fastest,” recognizing that these vehicles are also exceptionally quick in terms of acceleration. Prepare to explore some of the most breathtakingly fast Mercedes AMG models ever created.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport: A Blast from the Past of Speed
The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR stands as a true icon of the 1990s, a machine built for racing homologation that looks even more extreme with each passing year. Born from the need to meet racing regulations, only 26 examples of the CLK GTR were ever produced – 20 coupes and 6 roadsters. Among these rare machines, a mere five were equipped with the coveted Super Sport package, elevating their exclusivity and, naturally, their speed.
A standard Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR (pictured above) already packed a formidable 6.9-liter engine unleashing 604 horsepower. This translated to a 0 to 62 mph sprint in a mere 3.8 seconds and a staggering top speed of 214 mph. Consider that these figures were achieved by a car unveiled in 1997 – performance metrics that remain incredibly impressive even by today’s standards. However, to claim the top spot in our list of fastest Mercedes AMG cars, even more speed was required. In 2002, Mercedes-Benz answered the call with the Super Sport version. This iteration saw the engine displacement увеличен from 6.9-liters to a massive 7.3-liters. If that 7.3-liter Mercedes engine sounds familiar, it’s because this very powerplant was famously used in the Pagani Zonda hypercar.
So, is it possible that a car crafted over two decades ago holds the title of the fastest Mercedes-Benz on our list in terms of top speed? When it comes to outright maximum velocity, the answer is a resounding yes. The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport could reach a phenomenal 231 mph, accompanied by a blistering 0 to 62 mph acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds.
While the CLK GTR Super Sport reigns supreme in top speed among road-legal Mercedes AMG vehicles, we anticipate that the next car on our list would likely outperform it on a race track, thanks to its direct connection to Formula One technology.
Mercedes-AMG One: Formula 1 Technology Unleashed on the Road
Imagine taking the heart and soul of a Formula 1 car and transplanting it into a road-legal machine. The result? The awe-inspiring Mercedes-AMG One.
Unsurprisingly, this technological marvel is a product of Mercedes-AMG, the very division within Mercedes-Benz dedicated to pushing the boundaries of performance. It is this high-performance expertise that allows Mercedes-AMG to consistently create their most groundbreaking and performance-focused models.
What might come as a surprise is the relatively small displacement of the AMG One’s engine – a mere 1.6-liter unit. However, this compact powerplant is augmented by no less than four electric motors, creating a hybrid powertrain that catapults the AMG One from 0 to 62 mph in an astonishing 2.9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 219 mph.
The Mercedes-AMG One is, in essence, the closest you can get to experiencing a road-legal Formula 1 car. Mercedes-AMG has directly applied their extensive Formula 1 expertise and cutting-edge engineering to create this hypercar. On a track, the AMG One is undoubtedly a lap time destroyer.
While it might not possess a higher top speed figure than the CLK GTR Super Sport, the Mercedes-AMG One, born from Formula 1 DNA and representing the pinnacle of modern automotive engineering, would almost certainly be the fastest Mercedes road car when it comes to setting blistering lap times on any race circuit.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss: Open-Top Speed Legend
It’s fitting that one of the fastest Mercedes-Benz models ever conceived is named after a legendary racing driver and benefits from the engineering prowess of supercar manufacturer McLaren.
Sir Stirling Moss was an iconic figure in motorsport, deeply intertwined with the history of Mercedes-Benz. Most notably, he piloted the Mercedes-Benz Type W196S 300 SLR to a record-breaking victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia. The SLR McLaren Stirling Moss was directly inspired by this legendary car.
Limited to just 75 examples produced in 2009, the SLR Stirling Moss is a breathtaking open-top speedster. It features a potent 5.4-liter V8 engine generating 641 horsepower. This propels the car from 0 to 62 mph in just over 3 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 217 mph – all achieved without the protection of a windscreen.
Upon its release, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss carried a price tag of approximately £700,000. However, as is typical with ultra-limited edition cars of this caliber, especially one named after one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, prices have now soared well beyond £2 million. Owning and driving one might necessitate investing in a good helmet and goggles!
Mercedes-AMG GTR Black Series: Track-Focused Fury
Another high-performance creation from Mercedes-AMG, the GTR Black Series will come as no surprise to those familiar with the Black Series lineage. These models represent the most extreme, track-focused expressions of Mercedes-AMG performance.
The sheer visual aggression of the AMG GTR Black Series, with its prominent rear wing and assertive styling, leaves no doubt about its intentions: to be an ultra-Fast Mercedes Amg.
At its heart lies a formidable 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, churning out a monstrous 720 horsepower. This power is channeled to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is a 0 to 62 mph sprint in a mere 3.2 seconds, and the AMG GTR Black Series will continue accelerating until it reaches a top speed of 202 mph.
Other Fast Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG Models: Real-World Speed Demons
While the four models highlighted above firmly reside in the supercar and hypercar echelon, it’s important to acknowledge that many more “mainstream” Mercedes-Benz models, particularly those bearing the Mercedes-AMG badge, offer astonishing levels of speed and performance, especially in real-world driving scenarios.
Consider the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, for example. This model achieves 0 to 62 mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating AMG production car ever. In a sprint to 62 mph, it outpaces even the hypercars mentioned earlier. Its top speed is electronically limited to 199 mph.
Then there’s the incredibly practical Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance saloon (4-door coupe), which accomplishes the 0 to 62 mph dash in a mere 2.9 seconds and boasts a top speed of 196 mph. These figures are truly remarkable for a vehicle with the everyday usability of a four-door sedan.
Even the ever-popular SUV segment isn’t immune to the AMG treatment. The Mercedes-AMG GLC SUV can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. This level of performance in a practical SUV is nothing short of incredible.
Find Your Own Fast Mercedes AMG at Stratstone
While the top four cars on our list might be exceptionally rare and exclusive, Stratstone offers a wide selection of other phenomenal Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models that deliver exhilarating speed and performance.
Explore our current Mercedes-Benz new car offers or delve into our dedicated Mercedes-AMG section to discover the latest Mercedes-AMG offers.
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