Here it is: the Mercedes-AMG Purespeed makes its official world debut

Just a few months ago, Mercedes-AMG was finalising the remaining details to put its new supercar on sale and on the road, the Purespeed, a two-seater that promises unique sensations, enhanced by a radical design that dispenses with elements such as the roof and windscreen and brings us closer to what Formula 1 drivers actually feel.

Now, on the occasion of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix last weekend, Mercedes-AMG has officially unveiled the Purespeed to the world. Its design rests on a space frame chassis in aluminium with a self-supporting structure, combining a low silhouette, a long bonnet and a very low front end with a shark-nose design, which, incidentally, is inspired by the Mercedes-AMG ONE. This front end also features small, partly transparent deflectors that keep turbulence from bothering the occupants. The aerodynamics have been carefully detailed with other elements, such as the carbon-fibre parts on the lower section, together with a rear end featuring a boot lid and diffuser engineered to the millimetre for aerodynamic efficiency.

From the side is perhaps where its roofless, windscreenless design is best appreciated. It is worth noting that, where the windscreen would normally sit, there is a HALO system made from steel tubing and inspired by the design used in Formula 1 since 2018. On the Purespeed, however, it splits behind the occupants to join the humps that also protect their heads. As a detail, the HALO is illuminated on its underside by narrow LED strips, creating unusual ambient lighting.

Mercedes-AMG has chosen for the Purespeed the exclusive Silver Arrow finish in mystic silver mango. Optionally, however, its fortunate owners will be able to choose from colours ranging from Le Mans red to graphite grey with a black AMG livery, the latter as a tribute to the Mercedes that won the Targa Florio race in Sicily 100 years ago. Nor can we forget the 21-inch forged aluminium wheels, fitted with carbon-fibre covers on both axles, the rear ones fully enclosed to reduce air resistance.

For the interior of the Purespeed, Mercedes-AMG has chosen a two-tone combination for the upholstery in which the AMG Performance sports seats use special leather with contrasting stitching. These seats, incidentally, are heated and have a carbon-fibre rear cover. There are other interesting interior details, such as the custom analogue watch designed by IWC Schaffhausen at the centre of the dashboard, or the Burmester High-End 3D surround sound system with 15 speakers and 1,170 watts of power. All of this is rounded off by a plaque stating which of the 250 units to be built this one is. The interior can be protected from the elements with an exterior cover, plus a bespoke fitted cover for when it is stored indoors.

Mechanically, the Mercedes-AMG Purespeed features the marvellous AMG V8 twin-turbo 4.0-litre engine, delivering 585 CV and a torque of 800 Nm, managed through the 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox. Traction is handled by the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, and to keep everything under control there is the innovative AMG Active Ride Control chassis with semi-active hydraulic roll stabilisation, plus the high-performance AMG ceramic braking system with six-piston fixed calipers on the front axle and single-piston calipers on the rear, not forgetting the active rear-axle steering. With all this, the Purespeed reaches 100 km/h in a rapid 3.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 315 km/h.