AMG Turns 45: Our Top 4.5 Cars from the Benz Tuner

AMG has produced some memorable metal in the 45 years since the tuner began tinkering with Mercedes-Benz cars. The company, founded by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in June 1967, is now one of the most important arms in the Benz family. From a surprisingly successful race car to a wild family-mobile, here are our top 4.5 favorite cars created by Benz’s performance division.

1. 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
The W211 E63 was one of the first recipients of AMG’s W156 engine, one of the most universally loved powerplants among Motor Trend staffers. It was the first mill fully developed and built by the tuner. The 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 produced over 500 hp and immediately won us over for its immediate power delivery and addicting engine note. The W156 has been largely replaced by the new twin-turbo W157 engine, but versions of the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter engine can still be found in the C63 AMG and SLS AMG.

2. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
A few years after the AMG-developed M156 engine came the SLS AMG gullwing, the first car completely designed by the tuner. Considered the successor to the original SL Gullwing, the SLS is a captivating looker and performer that’s powered by AMG’s M159 naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 that now produces 583 hp in the upgraded 2013 SLS AMG GT.

  

3. Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8L AMG
This vehicle transformed AMG from a small startup company into a legitimate tuner. In 1971, AMG made a number of extensive modifications to this 300 SEL before entering it into the 24 Hours of Spa. The car produced 422 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque (up from 247 hp and 369 lb-ft in the standard 300 SEL) and had a top speed of 165 mph. The 300 SEL was considered an underdog, but fought for a second-place finish and respect in the automotive world.
4. Mercedes-Benz 300E 5.6L AMG “Hammer”
Car nuts who grew up in the ‘80s will no doubt remember “The Hammer.” This E-Class earned its nickname thanks to an AMG-modified 5.6-liter V-8 that produced 360 hp and propelled the sedan to a top speed of 188 mph. A coupe and wagon version followed.

4.5. Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG

On its own, the R-Class is a complete zero to most car enthusiasts. But give the crossover/minivan to the folks at AMG and suddenly it deserves an honorable mention on this list. The R63 AMG was powered by the mighty M156 V-8 and produced 503 hp and 465 lb-ft, while sending power to all four wheels. It posted a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, rivaling the E63 AMG wagon as Benz’s most dangerous sleeper. The R63 had a production run in the U.S. of just one model year, making it one of the rarest AMGs on the road.
What’s your favorite AMG model?

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