Mercedes-Benz: The AMG Cars: A Journey Through 30 Years of Performance Icons

From small-time tuner to global automotive legend – this is the ultimate guide to the Mercedes-AMG story.

Explore the thrilling history of AMG, the performance brand that transformed Mercedes-Benz from a symbol of refined luxury into a fierce motorsport competitor and producer of some of the most desirable performance vehicles on the planet. Written by renowned automotive historian Brian Long, Mercedes-Benz: The AMG Cars charts the full journey from the brand’s unofficial beginnings to its modern-day status as an icon of high-performance engineering.

Discover how two ex-Mercedes engineers, Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, began handcrafting race engines in a garage, and how their tiny operation became a global performance powerhouse. With deep dives into key models like the AMG Hammer, groundbreaking moments in DTM and Group C racing, and the official tie-up with Mercedes-Benz that reshaped the brand’s future, this is a comprehensive year-by-year chronicle of a unique automotive evolution.

The book covers:

• The full story of AMG’s independent era and its 1990s transition into official Mercedes-Benz partnership
• All production AMG models from 1993 to 2024, presented in chronological chapters
• Legendary engines, tuning techniques, and motorsport triumphs
• Rare and obscure models alongside the most celebrated icons
• Hundreds of colour images, advertisements, and catalogue shots (over 660 visuals)

With expert insights, rare images, and rich historical detail, this book is essential reading for Mercedes fans, collectors, and motoring enthusiasts alike.

Get ready to experience the full-throttle story of the three-letter badge that changed Mercedes-Benz forever.

Brian Long is one of the most respected voices in automotive publishing. Born in Coventry – the heart of the British motor industry – Brian trained as a mechanical engineer before beginning a prolific writing career. Since 1990, he has authored over 80 titles on classic and performance cars, many of which have become standard references. Now based in Chiba, Japan, he continues to write full time, often drawing on his extensive personal archive and network of international automotive contacts. His deep-rooted passion for motorsport and performance engineering shines throughout Mercedes-Benz: The AMG Cars.