Mercedes-AMG Announces PureSpeed Has Entered Final Testing

by Carl Malek | August 29, 2024

Mercedes-AMG announces that the AMG PureSpeed has entered the final stage of testing as the inaugural model in the “Mythos” range attempts to not only pay homage to the past, but also push the limits of performance even further.

Mercedes announced that it has begun the pfinal phase of testing for the upcoming PureSpeed model.

Mercedes-AMG promised that a new chapter in performance was going to be written with the company unleashing a new lineup of ultra-exclusive performance vehicles. One of these vehicles is the PureSpeed which is the latest in a small line of ultra-performance entries that chops the roof to lighten curb weight while also maximizing performance at the same time.

It’s been a while since we heard anything new about the PureSpeed but Mercedes-AMG has released several new images of the model as it begins the final phase of testing with the PureSpeed spearheading the launch of a new limited production lineup of performance vehicles when it makes its debut later this year.

SL underpinnings only tell one part of the story

The PureSpeed will be the first member of the all-new “Mythos” family and it will also share inspiration with past models like the SLR Stirling Moss.

At first glance, it might be easy to dismiss the PureSpeed as nothing more than a Mercedes SL that’s had its roof chopped off. However, while the PureSpeed shares alot of its roots with that model it also branches off in its own unique direction too. The new images show the PureSpeed testing on public roads with Mercedes-AMG claiming that the model has undergone 1,864 miles of evaluation testing with the prototypes being driven around on various roads in Northern Italy before they are put through their paces at the Nardo race circuit.

The PureSpeed follows the same basic formula as another roofless wonder, the SLR Stirling Moss with the PureSpeed losing the folding roof assembly and even the front A-Pillars and windshield to help give it a distinct look while also reducing cur weight too. The company chose to wrap the prototypes in distracting camoflauge but the wrap does little to hide the fact that the PureSpeed will be a bespoke roofless special with the car joining other recent examples of the breed like the McLaren Elva, Lamborghini SC20, and the Aston Martin V12 Speedster. The wrapping also doesn’t hide the Formula One-inspired halo that wraps around the upper portion of the car to protect the driver in the case of an accident.

PureSpeed will usher in “Mythos” era

Production of the PureSpeed will be limited to 250 copies but it will spearhead other Mythos series models over the next few years.

Mercedes-AMG didn’t reveal final performance numbers with this latest batch of images, but the company has confirmed in the past that the PureSpeed will not be as exclusive as prior entries like the SLR Stirling Moss. Wheras the Sterling Moss was limited to 75 examples, the PureSpeed will be capped at 250 production units with all of them being sold to “enthusiasts and collectors” which translates into the company targeting its most loyal and well-heeled clientele.

The company also says the PureSpeed is a “unique driving machine for connoisseurs” and to make sure it lives up to that title, the company worked with Italian styling house Pininfarina to help sculpt some of the flowing lines in the bodywork while also using the experience that Pininfarina has in creating low volume production models to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the PureSpeed. There will be other models in the “Mythos” lineup of models but it remains to be seen what Mercedes-Benz has up its sleeve in terms of future Mythos entries.