Mercedes-Benz has a long and storied history of producing vehicles that epitomize luxury and performance, so it’s no surprise that the marque boasts some of the fastest cars in the world. When we talk about automotive speed, we generally consider top speed and the thrilling 0 to 60 mph (or 0 to 62 mph) sprint. In the realm of Mercedes-Benz, the Mercedes-AMG lineup consistently stands out as the pinnacle of performance, representing the high-performance division of the brand.
For this curated list, we’ll primarily focus on top speed as the defining metric for the fastest Mercedes-Benz cars. It’s worth noting that these speed demons are also incredibly quick off the line, delivering blistering acceleration figures.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport: An Icon of Speed
The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, originally conceived for racing homologation in the late 1990s, remains an automotive icon with its raw and aggressive design. Only 26 of these magnificent machines were ever produced – 20 coupes and six roadsters – making them incredibly rare. Among these, a mere five were equipped with the coveted Super Sport package, elevating their exclusivity and, naturally, their speed.
A standard Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR (pictured above) packs a formidable 6.9-liter engine generating 604 horsepower. This translates to a 0 to 62 mph acceleration time of just 3.8 seconds and a staggering top speed of 214 mph. These figures were mind-blowing when the CLK GTR debuted in 1997 and remain impressive even by today’s standards. However, to claim the top spot as the fastest Mercedes-Benz car, even more performance was needed. In 2002, Mercedes-Benz unleashed the Super Sport version, boosting the engine displacement to a massive 7.3-liters. If that engine size sounds familiar, it’s because this very engine became the heart of the legendary Pagani Zonda hypercar.
So, is a car designed over two decades ago truly the fastest Mercedes-Benz? In terms of pure top speed, the answer is a resounding yes. The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport can reach a blistering 231 mph, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 3.6 seconds. While it holds the crown for top speed among road-legal Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the next car on our list, with its direct lineage to Formula One technology, might just dominate it on a race track.
Mercedes-AMG One: Formula 1 Technology for the Road
Imagine taking the cutting-edge technology of a Formula 1 car and making it street legal. The result is the awe-inspiring Mercedes-AMG One. Unsurprisingly, this hypercar masterpiece is a product of Mercedes-AMG, the performance division responsible for pushing the boundaries of Mercedes-Benz engineering.
What might raise eyebrows is the AMG One’s relatively small 1.6-liter engine. However, this isn’t just any 1.6-liter engine; it’s a highly advanced, turbocharged unit derived directly from Formula 1. This powerplant is further augmented by four electric motors, resulting in a combined output exceeding 1000 horsepower. The Mercedes-AMG One rockets from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 219 mph.
The Mercedes-AMG One represents the closest experience to driving a road-legal Formula 1 car. Mercedes-AMG has seamlessly integrated its F1 expertise into a production vehicle, creating a machine engineered to conquer lap times with unparalleled precision and speed. While its top speed is slightly lower than the CLK GTR Super Sport, the AMG One’s advanced technology and track-focused design likely make it the fastest Mercedes-Benz around a circuit.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss: A Tribute to a Racing Legend
It’s fitting that one of the fastest Mercedes-Benz models is named after a legendary racing driver and benefits from the expertise of supercar manufacturer McLaren. Sir Stirling Moss, an icon in motorsport, shared a significant history with Mercedes-Benz, most notably driving the Mercedes-Benz Type W196S 300 SLR. The SLR McLaren Stirling Moss pays homage to this heritage, drawing inspiration from Moss’s record-breaking victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia in the 300 SLR.
Limited to just 75 examples produced in 2009, the SLR Stirling Moss is a truly exclusive machine. It features a potent 5.4-liter V8 engine producing 641 horsepower, propelling it from 0 to 62 mph in just over 3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 217 mph. Remarkably, this blistering performance is achieved without a traditional windscreen, offering a truly visceral driving experience.
Originally priced around £700,000, the SLR Stirling Moss, like many limited-edition supercars, has seen its value skyrocket. Now commanding prices well in excess of £2 million, owning this piece of automotive history requires a significant investment – and perhaps a good helmet or goggles for those high-speed drives.
Mercedes-AMG GTR Black Series: Track-Focused Fury
Another high-performance marvel from Mercedes-AMG, the GTR Black Series earns its place among the fastest Mercedes-Benz cars with ease. For those familiar with the Black Series designation, its inclusion on this list comes as no surprise. Black Series models represent the most extreme and track-focused expressions of AMG performance.
The Mercedes-AMG GTR Black Series visually announces its intentions with its massive rear wing and aggressive aerodynamic styling. Beneath the surface lies a ferocious 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine churning out a monstrous 720 horsepower. This power is channeled through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels, enabling a 0 to 62 mph sprint in a mere 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. The GTR Black Series is a testament to AMG’s dedication to track-ready performance and exhilarating speed.
Beyond Supercars: Everyday Mercedes-Benz Speed
While the previous models firmly reside in the realm of supercars and hypercars, it’s important to recognize that many “regular” Mercedes-Benz models, particularly those bearing the Mercedes-AMG badge, offer incredible real-world speed.
Consider the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, for example. This four-door coupe achieves 0 to 62 mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating AMG model ever produced. It outpaces even the supercars mentioned above in the sprint to 62 mph and reaches a top speed of 199 mph.
Then there’s the remarkably practical four-door Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance saloon. This family-friendly sedan matches the coupe’s 0 to 62 mph time of 2.9 seconds and boasts a top speed of 196 mph. These figures are astonishing for a vehicle designed for everyday usability.
Even the popular SUV segment isn’t immune to the Mercedes-AMG performance treatment. The Mercedes-AMG GLC SUV can launch from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 171 mph. This level of performance in a practical SUV is truly remarkable.
Find Your Fast Mercedes-Benz at Stratstone
While the top-tier fastest Mercedes-Benz cars on this list might be exceedingly rare, Stratstone offers a wide selection of exceptional Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models that deliver exhilarating speed and performance.
Explore our current Mercedes-Benz new car offers or delve into our dedicated Mercedes-AMG section to discover the latest Mercedes-AMG offers.
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