In the 1980s, famous tuning company AMG made one of the world's coolest tuned cars and named it: the Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer Coupe. The AMG Hammer has a beautiful design, and its performance is ferocious.
At the time, muscle and sports cars dominated the automotive world, hence, the idea of a super-sedan didn't exist. However, AMG shocked many car enthusiasts after introducing a sedan that could accelerate faster than many sports cars and still seat four adult passengers comfortably.
Today, AMG has made many amazing Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but back in the early '80s, the tuning company was trying to make a name for itself. Initially founded in 1967, the company had spent the '70s producing performance upgrades for Mercedes-Benz models. However, those performance models weren't that popular, until the launch of the Hammer made the company famous. They were the first to show that sedans could also be performing machines.
Unfortunately, this cutting-edge performance machine was hard to find; AMG produced 29 units, making it one of the rarest vehicles in the world. Due to it being rare, the Hammer was and still is expensive. At the time, a fully-built Hammer was around $100,000 to $150,000, or roughly double what a Porsche 911 SC did cost.
The AMG Hammer's Design Is Luxurious And Unique
Even though it's based on the W124 E-class, the AMG Hammer is different. AMG completely changed the car; they upgraded the engine and fitted a new widebody kit. Also, they transformed the interior, which had a more luxurious finish than before.
The Hammer came in two and four-door models, but AMG made a unique wagon model for a customer in Chicago. However, all these variants looked markedly different from the regular W124.
Most Hammers have a widebody kit that significantly altered the car's overall appearance. AMG didn't go overboard with the styling, making the Hammer so unique when compared to other Mercedes vehicles produced in that period. This is one of the reasons why the AMG Hammer aged better than other expensive German-built specials.
The car's interior looks even better than the exterior. AMG wrapped all the seats with leather and generously applied authentic wood accents throughout the car. The cabin has features that one can't find on other vintage vehicles. The car has a huge ashtray that allows the driver and passengers to ash their cigars. When AMG designed this vehicle, they surely targeted a specific class of people.
The AMG Hammer Could Go Head-To-Head With Many '80s Sports Cars
AMG allowed their clients to pick between three engines; the standard V8 5.0-liter, the V8 5.6-liter, and the V8 6.0-liter. The 6.0-liter engine option was the most expensive, but it allowed the AMG to go from 0 to 62 mph in 5.0 seconds. Models with the top-spec 6.0-liter engine were rarer than the other models, making them pricier. However, this doesn't mean that the standard engine was slow; it could produce around 350 horsepower.
The only flaw in the AMG was with the transmission. At the time, Mercedes-Benz had issues with gearboxes. The automatic four-speed transmission had a slow response time, making the ride uncomfortable on twisty roads.
Although this wasn't AMG's fault, they tried tuning the gearbox, but couldn't change the W124's true nature. However, even though it had a faulty gearbox, the AMG Hammer was faster than the Lamborghini Countach.
The Hammer wasn't originally intended to compete against the best supercars of its day. Instead, AMG developed in response to the BMW M5 concept car. However, when BMW produced the M5, it wasn't as fast as the Hammer. The only advantages the M5 had were that its transmission wasn't faulty, and it was cheaper than the AMG Hammer.
The Hammer Only Usher In More Insane Vehicles From AMG
After Mercedes partnered up with AMG, their collaboration led to the production of refined, luxurious vehicles with heaps of power. This allows Mercedes-AMG to be the class leader in producing high-powered luxury hot hatches.
What makes their collaboration unique is that they produce vehicles that are track contenders, but still offer comfortability and are stylish enough for daily road usage.
One of their best cars is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT based on the beloved SLS. The AMG GT has a V8 engine that produces 720 hp, making it the most powerful AMG car ever. Additionally, it boasts a carbon package and other unique AMG modifications that make it 77 lbs lighter than the AMG GTR. Due to its superb weight distribution and balance, the GT Black Series is thrilling to drive and can compete with high-end vehicles like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Another model considered one of the best AMGs is the E63 AMG. It may not have the low and athletic stance that most Ferraris have, but its power alone covers that issue. Even though the E63 has a powerful 4.0 liter V8, it maintains a level of elegance with functional rear seats and ample passenger space.