Mercedes-AMG’s Monaco surprise

F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were on hand to help launch the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Concept in Monaco

Mercedes-AMG has combined modern Formula 1 ideas with elements inspired by its racing history to create the PureSpeed Concept, the first in its Mythos series of special models.

F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell joined Toto Wolff and AMG chairman, Michael Schiebe, on a floating pontoon in Monaco’s harbour to reveal the PureSpeed ahead of this weekend’s grand prix.

The most notable element of the open-top car’s design is the F1-style HALO, which replaces a conventional windscreen or even small aeroscreen. The roofless look also harks back to the iconic Mercedes 300 SLR, that the late, great Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson drove to a famous victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia road race.

The red and silver paint scheme is also a nod to the past, specifically the 1924 Targa Florio, when Mercedes swapped Germany’s traditional racing white paint for red in order to stop Italian fans from slowing it down.

“The Concept Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed offers a glimpse of what is probably the most direct way to experience performance and driving pleasure,” said Schiebe. “Radically open, neither a roof nor the windscreen separate the two passengers from the elements. You can experience light, air and passion unfiltered with all your senses. As the concept of our first Mythos vehicle, it embodies the highest level of exclusivity. Design elements such as the HALO also create a Formula 1 feeling. There is therefore no better place for its world premiere than Monaco.”

F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell with the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Concept

Based on the latest Mercedes SL platform, the PureSpeed Concept also takes design cues from the AMG One hypercar (while also having a resemblance to the limited edition Aston Martin DBR22). There was no official word on what’s underneath the long bonnet but it’s almost certainly the brand’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers the latest SL and AMG GT.

While officially labelled a ‘concept’ Mercedes is expected to build 250 examples of the PureSpeed as part of its new run of special edition Mythos models.