A Mercedes-Benz is defined as being “the best or nothing.” It is something this company has taken seriously throughout its history.
They have experimented successfully many times over with various vehicle types, promoting safety and performance in a single package.
In recent times, Mercedes-Benz has pushed the boundaries of performance to achieve some of the most iconic supercars and hypercars ever. Here are five such vehicles that defined the outer limits of the definition of the Three-Pointed Star.
CLK GTR: This is a homologation car that was created for the 1997 FIA GT Championship Series. A homologation race car could be built for public roads at a targeted production rate. Mercedes-Benz took the CLK coupe and crafted it into a track star. It then produced 20 coupes and six roadsters – also known as the Strassenversion. The midship engine produced 622 horsepower and was controlled by a non-synchronous transmission.
SLR McLaren: Mercedes-Benz intended to create a car emphasizing performance and style. They brought in fellow racing manufacturer McLaren to work on a supercharged V8 engine to go underneath its long and stylish hood. The result is a series of coupes and roadsters sporting butterfly doors and a beautifully unique design. The supercharged engine produced up to 641 horsepower, depending on version. Production ran from 2003 to 2010, with 2,137 examples produced by McLaren.
SLS AMG®: In 1955, one of the original Mercedes-Benz icons took the world by storm. The 300 SL Gullwing doors were seen as the most unique and desirable automobiles of the era. Could they do it again? The answer was “yes.” In 2010, the SLS brought back the Gullwing doors in a fashionable coupe. AMG® developed a specific V8 engine that produced 563 horsepower (similar to some of the AMG® models of the era). Later, they would produce a roadster with conventional doors. In all, the SLS pushed the ideas of Mercedes-Benz AMG® by looking back at one of its historic icons to achieve a modern supercar.
Mercedes-AMG® GT: To replace the modern Gullwing, Mercedes-Benz AMG® went back to the drawing board. They wanted a more attainable and accessible performance car that would compete with the best on its own terms. The coupe, roadster, and four-door body styles – including a number of AMG® Black Series models - were the result of a push to create a special car for enthusiasts. Most of which were powered by the AMG® 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. From 2015 to 2023, over 18,000 units were produced. You might have one parked at your home.
Mercedes-Benz AMG® ONE: In the past, Mercedes-Benz played around with the notion of an ultimate supercar – rather, a hypercar. One that pushes every boundary in design, engineering, and performance. That’s the AMG® ONE in a nutshell – a sleek mid-engine, all-wheel drive turbocharged hybrid V6 developed by the Formula 1 team. In all, you have a two-seat enclosed race car for the road – or track. So far, 275 units have been produced since 2022.
Mercedes-Benz produces nothing but icons, including the Mercedes-Benz AMG® SL. You could actually get some of these vehicles – either Certified Pre-Owned or from our pre-owned inventory – here at Mercedes-Benz of Plano. Contact us to experience one of the many icons we offer here in the Metroplex.
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