Have you ever stayed up well past your bedtime just so you can cheer on the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team as they chase Formula 1 glory? Do you own, or aspire to own, any of the road-going relatives of the incredible Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E PERFORMANCE? You’re not alone – in fact, you’re part of an international family of AMG enthusiasts.

Around the world, Mercedes-AMG is synonymous with power, speed and innovation. ‘The World’s Fastest Family’ is more than a tagline; it’s a mission statement, an invitation to combine your need for speed with an intoxicating blend of style and luxury.

If you’ve ever owned or driven a Mercedes-AMG, you already understand its raw appeal – the power delivery, handling, sound, performance-focused appointments and technical, high-quality finishes. For those still aspiring to that experience, the brand embraces new members of the family via activities such as the AMG Racetrack Experience, plus opportunities to be a guest at high-profile motorsport events such as the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix and Bathurst 12-Hour Race.

From racetrack to road

For an example of the passion that Mercedes-AMG engenders, you need look no further than the grandstands of any F1 grand prix. They’re teeming with fans decked out in the colours of the seven-time world championship-winning Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

A key target for their adoration is the W14 E PERFORMANCE. The 2023 racing car is easily distinguished by its predominantly black livery, owed to the widespread use of lightweight carbon-fibre components around the body. Rather than paint over these components, the team left them bare in order to reduce the vehicle’s overall weight.

Carbon-fibre componentry such as wings, splitters and even bonnets can be seen on a number of Mercedes-AMG production models, too. In fact, much of the cutting-edge technology developed for F1 can be found in select vehicles that are currently available for purchase from Mercedes-AMG showrooms.

This includes innovations like small-capacity engines that use a mix of advanced turbocharging and hybrid technology to produce incredible power outputs whilst returning outstanding fuel efficiency. The forthcoming Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, for example, will utilise this technology to achieve astonishing levels of performance from its four-cylinder engine and electric motor.

F1 has also brought developments such as KERS (Kinetic Energy Return System, or energy recuperation) and active suspension to the Mercedes-AMG range, plus features such as paddle shifters and steering wheel-mounted buttons.

The astonishing Mercedes-AMG ONE is another example of the integral link between the high-tech F1 environment and the fleet of Mercedes-AMG production models. This strictly limited model utilises a variation of the same 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid V6 engine seen in the 2023 F1 racer. Sometimes described as a ‘hypercar’, the ONE musters a jaw-dropping 782 kW from the combination of its petrol-powered V6 and four onboard electric motors.

Lightweight construction and a driver-focused cockpit also mimic F1 design and engineering ethics, while a host of high-performance enhancements to the transmission, suspension, brakes and exhaust demonstrate what’s possible for current and future Mercedes-AMG models.

The next generation

The evolution of Mercedes-AMG can be seen in recently released models such as the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE and Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+, as well as the forthcoming latest generation of the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé.

As the first performance hybrid from Mercedes-AMG, the new GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE combines F1-bred hybrid technology to extract an astonishing 620 kW of power and 1400 Nm of torque from a 4.0-litre petrol-powered V8 and powerful electric motor . Not only does the motor help reduce fuel consumption, it also enables an all-electric driving range of up to 12 kilometres – perfect for local trips. The innovative four-door Coupé also includes an in-house developed, high-performance battery that draws inspiration from F1, as well as the advanced AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension system.

The new SL 63 4MATIC+, a two-door convertible model that’s equal parts grand tourer and sports car, is the spiritual successor to the famed SL models of the 1950s and ’60s – including the legendary Mercedes-AMG 300 SL Roadster. It sits on an AMG-developed aluminium space frame body structure, which allows the vehicle to make full use of the 430 kW and 800 Nm output of its 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8.

And then there’s the forthcoming GT Coupé, which will combine track-day performance with complete day-to-day driving functionality. The 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 comes with a host of AMG-refined innovations – including an active aerodynamic profile, AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension, a nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT transmission, and the assurance of fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive – plus an array of high-quality finishes and luxurious extras.

The electric future

In a parallel development, Mercedes-AMG is shifting to an exciting new world of all-electric performance – utilising the outstanding and instantaneous power delivery characteristics for which they are world-famous.

The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ Sedan was the very first all-electric Mercedes-AMG to be put into series production. Equipped with proprietary technology co-developed by Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Benz, the sporty EQS 53 4MATIC+ Sedan musters 484 kW and 950 Nm^[1] . The point of difference, of course, is the all-electric drivetrain, enabling drivers to access incredible performance, minus the tailpipe emissions.

Part of what makes this vehicle so extraordinary is that it still delivers the authentic AMG experience. With details such as an AMG-specific radiator grille, muscular rear end, AMG cross-spoke light-alloy wheels, and standard AMG Sound Experience Authentic, the EQS 53 4MATIC+ Sedan will never let you forget for a moment that you belong to The World’s Fastest Family.

Explore the Mercedes-AMG range here.

Steve Colquhoun