Mercedes Just Built an SL Without a Windscreen Because They've Gone Completely Mad Mercedes-AMG has just revealed what happens when German engineers get bored of making normal cars and start watching too much Formula 1. They've taken a perfectly good SL 63, removed the windscreen, added an F1-style halo, and called it the PureSpeed. Because apparently, having wind in your hair wasn't enough - now you can have it in your teeth too. This isn't just any special edition - this is the first model from something called the Mythos series, which I assume is Greek for "cars that make accounting departments nervous." “Silver Arrow Mystic Mango” They're only building 250 of them, presumably because that's all the brave souls they could find who fancy the idea of driving a 196 mph convertible without a windscreen. (Mercedes has done this before, with the SLR McLaren Stirling Moss edition). The centerpiece of this madness is that F1-inspired halo bar made from high-strength steel. It's there to stop your head from making unwanted contact with the ground should things go spectacularly wrong. Which, given this car has 577 horsepower and no windscreen, seems like a sensible precaution. It's a bit like fitting a parachute to a rocket-powered shopping trolley - probably necessary, but it doesn't make the basic concept any less mental. Under the bonnet lurks the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from the regular SL 63. Mercedes claims it'll do 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is impressive considering it's fighting the kind of aerodynamic properties usually associated with brick walls. The top speed is 196 mph, though I suspect at that point your face will have experienced the kind of forces usually reserved for astronauts during re-entry. The engineers have been busy with the aerodynamics, presumably because removing the windscreen is the sort of thing that keeps airflow specialists awake at night. There's a new hood, reshaped air intakes, and something called an "active aerodynamic element" hidden in the underbody. I assume this is Mercedes-speak for "please don't let the car take off." They've even fitted it with special 21-inch forged aluminum wheels with carbon fiber covers, because apparently when you're building a car this mad, normal wheels just won't do. The rear wheels have fully closed covers, which makes them look like something from a 1950s vision of the future. All it needs is a rocket pack and it could be in The Jetsons. Inside, assuming you can find the inside without a windscreen to guide you, there are special AMG Performance seats wrapped in two-tone leather. Mercedes has also fitted a custom IWC Schaffhausen analog watch to the dashboard, presumably so you can time exactly how long it takes for bugs to rearrange your facial features at speed. But here's the really clever bit - they've designed special helmets that come with the car. They're color-matched to the paintwork and have an intercom system so you can chat with your passenger. Though I suspect most conversations will consist of "WHAT?" and "I CAN'T FEEL MY FACE." The whole thing is finished in something called "Silver Arrow mystic silver mango," which sounds like something you'd find on a hipster cocktail menu. You can also opt for a motorsport styling package that offers Le Mans red or graphite grey with a black AMG pattern, in case you want your windscreen-less Mercedes to be even more noticeable. Mercedes hasn't announced the price yet, but given that it's a limited edition AMG with less actual car than the regular version, it'll probably cost significantly more than the SL 63 it's based on. That's right - they've removed the windscreen and will charge you extra for the privilege. Yet somehow, in a world where supercars are becoming increasingly sensible and sanitized, there's something wonderfully refreshing about a car this unhinged. It's completely unnecessary, probably impractical, and definitely mad. But it exists because someone at AMG said "why not?" and nobody was brave enough to say "because it's bonkers." And for that, I rather love it. Even if I suspect using it as a daily driver might require either great courage or great dental insurance. PRICING: Not announced yet, but if you have to ask, you probably can't afford the therapy you'll need after driving it. [Performance Stats for those who care about such things: 4.0L twin-turbo V8577 hp0-62 mph: 3.6 secondsTop speed: 196 mph (facial reconstruction sold separately)]
