Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed debuts as a 300 SLR homager

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If you’re a sports car connoisseur/collector and somehow missed securing a no-roof & no-windshield speedster/roadster, well, the folks at Affalterbach are baking something you might be interested in. The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed we’re seeing here, is currently in its “concept” form, but next year, the production version is confirmed to make its debut, and you better get in touch with your local AMG dealer ASAP and be ready to put down a fat deposit if you want to add one of these into your garage.

The PureSpeed is the Germans’ take on the likes of the Ferrari Monza, McLaren Elva and AM V12 Speedster. But what it really is, is a homage to the 1955 300 SLR and its later iteration, the SLR Stirling Moss. It’s literally a breath of fresh air amongst the sea of sh*tboxes (a.k.a SUVs). I kinda like the way it looks; I think the designers have done a great job with the styling. The front fascia gives off mixed R232 SL + AMG ONE vibes while the rear-end reminds me of the second-gen GT. But either way, it looks great.

One unique thing about this PureSpeed is the curved bracket thing (branded as the “HALO system”) that has been added for extra safety. It is kinda like a thick roof outline that connects the front and rear of the car. An elegant way to compensate for the lack of roof, I think. While Monza and V12 Speedster also have a connecting element in the middle, those are mostly for stiffness/structural rigidity rather than crash protection.

As you can see from the photos, the car has been generously decorated with carbon fibre elements throughout, including the flics and fins and whatnot. The wheels also have carbon fibre elements for aerodynamic purposes. Inside, the driver and passenger get aerodynamically optimized, specially-made helmets. And, notice a bespoke IWC Schaffhausen clock on the dashboard.

Mercedes didn’t disclose the powertrain details, but the PureSpeed is an R232 SL underneath. Which means, you can expect a 4.0L V8 biturbo under the hood. There might also be a 4.0L V8 biturbo + E Performance (PHEV) option.