Mercedes-AMG has built some extreme machines over the decades — the CLK GTR, the SLS Black Series, the GT R Pro. But nothing in the company's history quite prepares you for the PureSpeed. Part of the new Mythos series of ultra-exclusive AMG creations, this is a car with no roof, no windscreen, and absolutely no apologies.
The concept is brutally simple: remove every barrier between driver and road. The traditional windshield is gone, replaced by a central tubular steel pillar rising between the seats — a direct reference to the F1 Halo safety device introduced in Formula 1 in 2018. Aerodynamic deflectors rising from the bonnet redirect airflow over the occupants, making 196 mph theoretically survivable without a helmet. Theoretically.
Raw Power, No Filter
Beneath the sculpted bonnet sits AMG's familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, tuned here to deliver 585 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. Drive goes through a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission. The sprint to 60 mph takes 3.6 seconds — but without any glass between you and the wind, every one of those seconds feels considerably more intense than the number suggests.
Top speed is 196 mph (315 km/h). Again, without a windscreen. The aerodynamic deflectors do their best, but this is not a car for the faint-hearted. It is, however, a car for those who believe that the purest driving experiences are the ones that scare you slightly.
Mythos Series — Exclusive by Design
The PureSpeed sits within Mercedes' new Mythos series — a line of ultra-limited AMG creations that exist outside the regular model range. Only 250 units will be built, each badged individually. Every car carries a "1 of 250" plaque on the centre console.
The interior blends race-car austerity with hand-stitched luxury. A bespoke IWC Schaffhausen analogue clock sits on a carbon fibre base on the dashboard — a watchmaker's precision inside a car that dispenses with one of motoring's most basic safety features. The optional Motorsport Styling Package adds a Le Mans red-to-graphite gradient paint finish that pays homage to a Mercedes that won the 1924 Targa Florio.
"Nothing separates the driver and passenger from the elements. This is the most direct way to experience performance." — Mercedes-AMG
Pricing has not been officially confirmed, but expectations sit comfortably above $300,000 — well above the AMG SL63 on which it is based. Every one of the 250 units will inevitably become a collector's piece the moment it leaves the factory.