Red Sow

AMG’s early years were marked by a relentless pursuit of performance enhancement and motorsport success. The company’s first major collaborative effort with Mercedes-Benz came in 1971 with the creation of the legendary 300SEL “Red Pig” race car. This beefed-up version of the 300SEL sedan, affectionately dubbed “Red Pig” due to its distinctive red paint and bulky appearance, stunned the racing world by securing a class victory and second place overall in the 1971 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps endurance race. This triumph not only showcased AMG’s engineering prowess but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations with Mercedes-Benz in motorsport endeavors. Such as the modest, yet performance driven 300E AMG which debuted in 1986 boasting a 5.6L V8 pushing close to 355HP called “The Hammer.” Another incredibly successful collaboration between the two entities is the 190E 2.5-16 Evo II; a pioneer in Mercedes’ motorsports lineage.

As the years progressed, AMG’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz deepened, eventually leading to the full integration of AMG into the Mercedes-Benz fold in the 1990s. This integration provided access to Mercedes-Benz’s vast resources while allowing the parent company to benefit from AMG’s expertise in high-performance engineering. Today, AMG serves as the high-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, responsible for developing and producing a range of performance-oriented vehicles, from sedans to SUVs.