Wild million-dollar Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed arrives

Mercedes-Benz has released the first pictures of its 2025 Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, the first member of the ultra-exclusive Mythos family supercars it will build for its most loyal customers.

Limited to just 250 units worldwide, the new Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed is based on the manufacturer's existing Mercedes-AMG SL 63, with the new two-seat roadster boasting extensive changes that include ditching the standard convertible's traditional windscreen and A-pillars.

In its place, the AMG PureSpeed gains a Formula 1-inspired halo that's made from high-strength steel that should protect occupants in the event of a rollover.

The PureSpeed styling is said to ape some of the legendary Benz racers, including the 1955 Mille Miglia-winning 300 SLR driven to victory by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson.

Removing the front screen and adding the two roll hoops behind the driver and passenger seats wasn't exactly easy for engineers; it triggered a complete rethink of the car's aerodynamics.

That explains why the PureSpeed features additional active aerodynamic elements that include an active rear spoiler that's deployed from the boot lid and adopts one of five different angles at speeds above 80km/h.

Up front, a further spoiler is lowered by up to 40mm at speeds above 80km/h to create a venturi effect that sucks the AMG closer to the road to reduce lift over the front axle.

Mirroring the latest AMG GT 63 Pro, the underbody of the PureSpeed is enhanced with extra air-bending elements that compensate for the lack of a roof and improve downforce. A lift system on the front axle is also standard.

Under the bonnet, the PureSpeed comes with the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 as the AMG SL 63 and pumps out an identical output of 430kW and 800Nm.

Combining a nine-speed auto with the performance division's fully variable all-wheel drive, the PureSpeed launches from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds before topping out at 315km/h.

Disappointingly, those figures are identical to the standard SL 63, suggesting the roofless roadster is no lighter, despite its lack of roof and screen.

Like the SL, the PureSpeed still gets AMG Active Ride Control suspension that cancels out body roll during hard cornering, a standard rear-wheel-steer system boosts agility and powerful carbon-ceramic brakes reign in any over-exuberance.

Available with a two-tone colour scheme, the PureSpeed comes with heated AMG Performance seats trimmed in special leather and featuring unique decorative stitching.

Behind the sport seats, the trim has been switched to carbon-fibre covering, and a set of deep-pile AMG floor mats, kickplates covered in leather and a two-tone AMG Performance steering wheel are all included.

Taking pride of place within the cabin is an IWC Schaffhausen clock that sits in the middle of the dash, housed in a visible carbon-fibre case.

Another welcome addition is the 15-speaker 1170-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system.

Finally, there's a single badge in the centre console that reads ‘1 out of 250’ to indicate the model is part of the strictly limited Mythos series.

It's not known whether the new cabin is rain-proof but it's unlikely. Instead, AMG offers a special protective weather cover that can be stretched over the interior, including the Halo, and fastened to the wheel arches.

Despite releasing full details and pictures of the new Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, Benz has not announced pricing for the wild new roadster, and nor has the company revealed whether any will make the journey Down Under.

If you're wondering why Benz has created the AMG roadster under the Mythos Series banner, wonder no more. The German car-maker hopes by offering highly exclusive collectible cars it will be able to charge a huge premium, which in the case of the PureSpeed could see it pitched as a Ferrari or Lamborghini rival in terms of pricing.

It's thought future Mythos models could be based on Mercedes-Maybach models.

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