Not often you get a proper surprise in the car world these days, which makes the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed more welcome than ever. Its maker has been mumbling about a proposed Mythos series for a while, but we weren't expecting a 250-unit special edition model - especially one unveiled ahead of the Monaco GP that’s part F1 car, part AMG One, part SLR Stirling Moss and 100 per cent spectacular. Just when it seemed like big OEMs had lost their knack with silly stuff, along comes the PureSpeed.
There’ll be more, too (hopefully with better names), as this is just the first in a series of 'highly exclusive' models that will come under the Mythos umbrella. For now, the PureSpeed is a car that ‘celebrates the unique tradition of Mercedes-Benz with pure and uncompromising race-car design, innovative materials and modern technology’. While the focus will inevitably be on the F1-inspired Halo instead of an A-pillar, the roofless, windscreenless design also evokes the great Merc roadsters of the past like the 300 SLR. Moreover, Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s record run at the Mille Miglia is 70 years old next year, so it’s as good a time as ever to remind everyone that Mercedes has incredible motorsport history outside of F1. The paint scheme here (and presumably the only one offered) is inspired by the winning three-pointed star car from the 1924 Targa Florio, so there's a very relevant anniversary right now as well. And a million PHer points if you clocked that already.
Michael Schiebe, Mercedes-AMG’s board chairman, said: “The Concept Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed offers a glimpse of what is probably the most direct way to experience performance and driving pleasure. Radically open, neither a roof nor the windscreen separate the two passengers from the elements. You can experience light, air and passion unfiltered with all your senses. As the concept of our first Mythos vehicle, it embodies the highest level of exclusivity. Design elements such as the Halo also create a Formula 1 feeling. There is therefore no better place for its world premiere than Monaco.”
Bringing the PureSpeed up to date is some AMG One influence, including a wide shark nose front, an aero-optimised bonnet and ‘sharply cut visible carbon fibre parts in the lower section of the vehicle’ to contrast with the curvy roadster aesthetic up top. The production link to the current Mercedes SL is pretty evident from the rear (perhaps a bit too much) but the halo is likely to provide sufficient distraction.
For the moment, no powertrain details have been released by Mercedes, though if we assume an SL base means a (potentially hybridised) V8. Although that 1924 Targa Florio winner was 2.0-litre, just as an SL43 is now. But the more fitting SLR homage would surely be with a thumping (non-hybridised) eight-cylinder engine. Especially with no roof. And the promised ‘F1 feeling for two people’ won’t really work with 400hp - some info to follow on that, presumably. Same with the interior: buyers will get helmets matched to the colours of the car (aero-optimised, of course) and an IWC Schaffhausen clock in the dash, though we haven’t seen much else yet.
Not that such details will matter if you’re part of the exclusive group of MB collectors invited to buy the PureSpeed. You’ll want it for the collection - positively need it, if you hope to get asked to buy whatever the next Mythos is. And clearly it's just the thing to wheel it out whenever the sun is shining and there's a concours on. It’s gonna draw quite a crowd, that’s for sure. Festival of Speed, anyone?
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