Founded by two passionate former Mercedes engineers in 1967, AMG, initially short for Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach, began as a design and testing facility focused on racing engines. Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher quickly discovered a growing demand for performance enhancements and bespoke customization that extended beyond just engine modifications. Prior to 1990, AMG operated independently, crafting upgrade packages and fully customized vehicles for discerning clients. A pivotal year was 1990 when Mercedes-Benz officially recognized AMG’s exceptional work, leading to a formal cooperation agreement. This landmark partnership integrated AMG options and fully customized vehicles directly into Mercedes-Benz showrooms, significantly broadening their accessibility to a wider audience. By the close of the 20th century, Mercedes-Benz solidified its commitment to AMG, acquiring a controlling stake and integrating AMG models as an official part of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle lineup. This move cemented AMG’s place in automotive history and paved the way for the impressive range of Mercedes-AMG models we know today. Below, we delve into a comprehensive overview of every standalone AMG car and Mercedes-AMG vehicle ever produced, offering a detailed look at all models to date.
The genesis of AMG was rooted in the vision of delivering road cars inspired by the prowess of successful racing machines. Throughout the 1970s, while AMG progressively enhanced Mercedes-Benz models with performance technology, a new avenue emerged: vehicle customization. This appealing business segment fueled AMG’s expansion into a medium-sized enterprise, attracting an increasingly international clientele. In 1976, Mercedes-AMG, then comprising around a dozen employees, relocated to a dedicated workshop and office space in Affalterbach, Germany, which remains their headquarters. AMG achieved the status of an engine manufacturer in 1984, marked by a groundbreaking innovation from Erhard Melcher: the development of an independent cylinder head featuring four valves per cylinder. A defining moment arrived in 1986 when AMG implanted a potent 5.0-liter V8 engine into a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. This formidable creation swiftly gained global recognition and the iconic moniker “The Hammer,” establishing itself as a cornerstone of the AMG legend, particularly in the United States.
Alt text: Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer Coupe, a legendary high-performance vehicle from the 1980s.
The late 1980s marked the commencement of collaboration between Daimler-Benz and AMG, initially as official racing partners. A highlight of this era is the celebrated success story of the Mercedes-Benz 190. AMG, with factory support, entered the 190 race car, achieving an impressive 50 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) victories between 1988 and 1993. On January 1, 1999, Hans Werner Aufrecht transferred a majority share in the steadily growing AMG company to DaimlerChrysler AG. Subsequently, on January 1, 2005, DaimlerChrysler acquired 100 percent of AMG’s shares. This complete acquisition enabled the newly established Mercedes-AMG GmbH to leverage the extensive resources and global presence of the Daimler Group even more effectively. What follows is a detailed listing of every AMG model we could identify, tracing back to the very beginnings of this performance marque. We have endeavored to create the most comprehensive list possible and welcome any feedback on models we may have inadvertently omitted.
Alt text: Mercedes-AMG headquarters and factory in Affalterbach, Germany, the birthplace of AMG performance vehicles.
