Mercedes-Benz has a long and storied history of producing high-performance vehicles, and it’s no surprise that the brand is synonymous with speed and luxury. When discussing the Quickest Mercedes, we often consider factors like top speed and acceleration, particularly the 0 to 60 mph sprint.
Typically, the Mercedes-AMG lineup represents the pinnacle of performance within the Mercedes-Benz family. AMG, as the high-performance division, engineers models designed for exhilarating speed and agility.
While “fast” can be subjective, in the automotive world, it often boils down to quantifiable metrics. For this exploration of the quickest Mercedes-Benz models, we will primarily focus on top speed as the defining characteristic. It’s worth noting that vehicles with exceptional top speeds are generally also incredibly quick in terms of acceleration.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport
The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is an icon of the 1990s, originally built for racing homologation, and its design remains strikingly aggressive even today. Of the 26 examples produced, comprising 20 coupes and 6 roadsters, only five were equipped with the exclusive Super Sport package, enhancing both their rarity and performance.
A standard CLK GTR boasts a formidable 6.9-liter engine generating 604 bhp, enabling a 0 to 62 mph sprint in 3.8 seconds and achieving a top speed of 214 mph. These figures were astonishing when the CLK GTR debuted in 1997, and remain impressive by today’s standards. However, the Super Sport version, launched in 2002, elevated the performance even further. The engine was enlarged to 7.3-liters, a powerplant famously shared with the Pagani Zonda hypercar.
Is a car conceived over two decades ago truly the quickest Mercedes-Benz? In terms of sheer top speed, the CLK GTR Super Sport claims the title, reaching a blistering 231 mph and accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds. While it holds the top speed record, the next model on our list, with its Formula One pedigree, might well outperform it on a track.
Mercedes-AMG One
Imagine a Formula One car engineered for road use – the result is the Mercedes-AMG One.
Unsurprisingly, this hypercar is a product of Mercedes-AMG, the performance division responsible for Mercedes-Benz’s most potent and track-focused models.
What might be unexpected is the AMG One’s relatively small 1.6-liter engine. However, this compact powerplant is augmented by four electric motors, delivering a combined output that catapults the car from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 219 mph.
The Mercedes-AMG One represents the closest experience to driving a road-legal Formula One car. Mercedes-AMG has directly applied its F1 expertise to create this engineering marvel. While its top speed is slightly lower than the CLK GTR Super Sport, its advanced technology and track-focused design undoubtedly make it the quickest Mercedes-Benz around a circuit.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
It’s fitting that one of the quickest Mercedes-Benz models is named after a racing legend and benefits from the expertise of supercar manufacturer McLaren.
Sir Stirling Moss, an iconic figure in motorsport, had a significant history with Mercedes-Benz, most notably driving the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR to a record-breaking victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia. The SLR McLaren Stirling Moss pays homage to this heritage.
Limited to just 75 examples in 2009, the SLR Stirling Moss features a 5.4-liter V8 engine producing 641 bhp. This enables a 0 to 62 mph acceleration in just over 3 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph – all achieved without a windshield, offering a truly visceral driving experience.
Originally priced around £700,000, the rarity and legendary namesake of the SLR Stirling Moss have driven its value to well over £2 million today. Driving this open-top speedster might require a helmet and goggles, but the experience is undeniably unique.
Mercedes-AMG GTR Black Series
Another high-performance creation from Mercedes-AMG, the GTR Black Series is a predictable inclusion on this list for those familiar with the Black Series designation, which signifies the most extreme and track-focused AMG models.
The aggressive styling, highlighted by a prominent rear wing, immediately signals the GTR Black Series’ intention: to be an exceptionally quick Mercedes.
Power comes from a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing a massive 720 bhp. This power is delivered through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels, enabling a 0 to 62 mph sprint in a blistering 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. The AMG GTR Black Series is engineered for ultimate track performance and driver engagement.
Other Quick Mercedes-Benz Models
While the preceding models occupy the realm of supercars and hypercars, it’s important to recognize that many more “conventional” Mercedes-Benz models, particularly those bearing the Mercedes-AMG badge, offer remarkable speed in everyday driving scenarios.
Consider the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, for example. Its 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of just 2.8 seconds makes it the quickest accelerating AMG model ever produced, outperforming even the hypercars mentioned above in this metric. It achieves a top speed of 199 mph.
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance four-door coupe is another testament to AMG’s performance prowess. This practical sedan accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph – figures that are astonishing for a four-door vehicle.
Even in the popular SUV segment, Mercedes-AMG delivers exceptional speed. The Mercedes-AMG GLC SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph, demonstrating incredible performance for a practical SUV.
Find Your Quick Mercedes-Benz or Mercedes-AMG at Stratstone
While the top-tier models on this list might be exceptionally rare, Stratstone offers a wide selection of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG vehicles that deliver exhilarating speed and performance.
Explore our latest Mercedes-Benz new car offers or delve into our dedicated Mercedes-AMG section to discover the newest Mercedes-AMG deals.
If you enjoyed this article, explore more content in our dedicated blog section, covering a range of premium automotive brands and topics.
