5 of The Slickest Mercedes-AMG Cars Ever Built
The Mercedes-AMG lineup of cars is like what the Hellcat renditions are to Dodge. The AMG division is known for making some of the fastest and most powerful versions of the Mercedes-Benz lineup over the years. Some cars even have up to 700 hp!
However, it’s not just about the power outputs. It’s also about the hand-built nature of these specialty models that make them so rare and popular. There have been many different Mercedes-AMG cars produced over the years. Here are five of the slickest we have seen.
1971 Mercedes AMG 300 SEL 6.8 (aka “The Red Pig”)
The 1971 AMG 300 SEL 6.8 is the car that started it all. Nicknamed “The Red Pig” for its large sedan stature, this version of the 300 SEL at the time was given a beefed-up suspension and larger engine. AMG massaged the 6.6-liter engine to make it displace 6.8-liters and push out 419 hp.
The doors were also replaced with lighter aluminum units, and the whole car was painted red, hence the name. The Red Pig gained its notoriety after placing second in the 24-hour race at Spa Francorchamps in 1971, which turned the world’s attention to the AMG name.
1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 3.2 AMG
After finding success with The Red Pig, AMG set its sights on building a 1987 190E, but with the support of Mercedes this time around. The 1987 190E 3.2 was the first car sold under the Mercedes-AMG nameplate, and only 200 units were produced.
Each car was special, though. Under the hood was a 3.2-liter V6 engine that produced 231 hp and 234 lb-ft of torque. It was nicknamed “The Baby Hammer” and was widely sought after in the European market.
2010 SLS AMG
Some may consider the 2010 SLS AMG the epitome of “cool” with its gullwing doors and sporty silhouette. However, the SLS AMG is far more than its stunning looks. This beauty was powered by the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine, which produced 563 hp, but would later be increased to 622 hp in the Black Series model. The combination of the SLS’s unique styling and powerful engine made it one of the slickest cars AMG has ever produced.
2016 AMG GT-R
In addition to its loud Green Mango paint job, the 2016 AMG GT-R made quite a statement when it debuted with its sonorous engine. The low-slung, exotic coupe was powered by a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 that allowed it to cross the finish line of the famed Nurburgring in only 7:10.92. That quick time earned it the nickname “The Beast of the Green Hell.”
Mitsubishi Galant AMG
The last car on this list is not a Mercedes but a Mitsubishi. More specifically, the Mitsubishi Galant AMG, which was a standard-issue 1991 Galant spruced up by the gods at AMG. Car Throttle says that the Galant’s naturally aspirated engine received high-compression pistons, titanium valve springs, hollow rockers, and a special intake that “swirled air more for fuller combustion.”
This engineering magic made the engine produce 170 hp and rev to 8,000 rpm. The Galant AMG is a super-rare car because you couldn’t buy it stateside. It was only made for the Japanese market.
These five AMG cars are the cream of the crop
Although AMG has produced many different cars over the past 50 years, these five come to mind as some of the slickest. They put out plenty of power and look far racier than their commuter counterparts. Judging by its past, we can’t wait to see what AMG produces in the future.
