We touched down on October 26, 2025 in AlUla aboard a sleek private jet from Dubai, greeted by the event tagline “So AMG So AlUla.” Our desert runway was dusky pink as we rolled into Cloud 7 Residence AlUla, a brand-new luxury lodge perched among the sandstone escarpments. From the moment we arrived, the vibe was effortless luxury – warm Saudi tea and dates welcomed us in our open-air bungalow, and Michelin-starred cuisine awaited. The evening culminated in a candlelit feast at Charcood Restaurant, where two-Michelin-star Chef Jaume Puigdengolas’s modern Levantine menu dazzled our taste buds . We dined under stars, sharing stories of the day while sampling local specialties (tender lamb mandi, fresh mezze, sweet dates and Arabic coffee) in true Saudi hospitality.
Our Cloud 7 camp felt like a desert oasis – rustic-modern bungalows with private terraces overlooking ochre dunes. The hotel’s promotional copy promises “a vibe with heritage sites, date farms, and a lively community of craftspeople” , and it delivered. The next morning we woke early, bundled into AMG driving gear, and headed straight for the AlUla Old Town, where narrow alleys of crumbling mud-brick houses now host artisans and cafes. Wandering through the Old Town Market was magical – shops selling woven textiles, spices, and jewelry lined the streets amidst the original stone ruins. As a Cloud 7 guide quipped, this “hidden gem” is where ancient history meets modern culture .
The AMG Fleet Hits the Road
We spent two days behind the wheel of Mercedes‑AMG’s latest performance machines. In total we drove 24 AMG models, a rolling showcase of horsepower and luxury. Each morning a new lineup gleamed in the desert light: from adrenaline-pumping coupes and roadsters to plush high-riders. Highlights included the Mercedes‑AMG G 63 4×4², the brute off-road icon with a hand-built V8; the hyper-sedan AMG GT 63 S E Performance (831‑hp plug‑in hybrid); and the new C 63 S E Performance hybrid sedan (671 hp from a turbo‑4 and electric motor) . We also sampled the new AMG SL 43 roadster, the sports‑tuned AMG GLE 63 S SUV, and compact hot‑hatches like the AMG CLA 45 S and GLA 45. Every AMG we drove sported the signature Panamericana grille and bespoke AMG touches – aggressive aero, sport seats and the deep burble of its engine.
- Mercedes-AMG G 63 4×4²: the legendary boxy V8 SUV, built for adventure.
- Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the 4-door super-sedan with 831 hp .
- Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance: latest hybrid sports sedan (671 hp) .
- Mercedes-AMG SL 43: new AMG GT roadster, blending luxury and open-air thrills.
- Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S: twin‑turbo V8 performance SUV, king of the dunes.
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe: compact V8 luxury coupe, nimble on canyon roads.
- Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S & GLA 45: high-output 4-cylinder sport sedans and crossovers.
Each model’s performance was jaw-dropping. On open desert roads we felt the instant punch of turbocharged V8s as we vaulted from 0–60 mph in around 3 seconds. On twisty canyon roads, the GT and SL adhered to corners flatly, while the G‑class’s legendary off-road capability kept us confidently cruising over sand and rocks. By swapping cars midway through the routes, we experienced every driving mode – from silky Grand Touring on highways to Sport+ and Race modes devouring asphalt. It was AMG’s tagline come to life: power and precision roaring through the mountains of AlUla.
Historic AlUla: Old Town & Castle
Our convoy wound through AlUla’s ancient heart. We navigated cobbled lanes lined with the ruins of a Nabatean-era stone-and-mud brick castle and old houses. At midday, we crested a hill to view the AlUla Old Town, a honeycomb of tan-colored homes topped by a small fortress. Stopping briefly, we explored the Old Town Market – as Cloud7’s site notes, it’s “nestled among the remains of original stone and mud-brick buildings” . Local artisans proudly showed us woven baskets, pottery, and a jar of aromatic Moringa oil for sale. We tasted sweet lubyanah dates and mint tea prepared by friendly locals. The juxtaposition of ultramodern AMG vehicles and this 2000-year-old town was surreal, yet utterly seamless: the past and future seemed to coexist in AlUla’s embrace.
The Mirrored Marvel: Al Maraya
Later that day we headed for Maraya, AlUla’s iconic mirrored concert hall. Rising from the desert’s Ashar Valley, Maraya’s façade of 9,740 m² of glass panels seems to vanish and reappear among the sandstone ridges . As one guide put it, approaching the hall feels like an “architectural illusion” – the sky and cliffs dance across the giant mirror. Maraya (Arabic for “mirrors”) holds a Guinness World Record as the largest mirrored building on earth . We parked our AMGs outside the gleaming cube and swapped vehicles: out went the low slung roadsters, in came the G 63 and GLE 63 for the next leg. Over a quick lunch in Maraya’s shaded courtyard, we admired how perfectly the glass walls reflected the ochre desert – a symbolic harmony of modern engineering with AlUla’s timeless landscape .
Panoramic Views at Sunset
After visiting Hegra, we continued up to the Harrat Viewpoint, a high overlook above AlUla. The final dash was in broad daylight, but we timed it to reach the top by sunset. The view was legendary: the whole AlUla valley stretched out below, russet cliffs glowing in golden light. In the far distance we even spotted the outline of Elephant Rock, AlUla’s natural limestone arch. We parked our cars on the plateau and watched as the sun painted the canyon walls crimson. Standing at the “four points” vista, we felt on top of the world – AMG tires on tarmac at 5,000 ft, and the ancient city laid out in every direction.
As darkness fell, a traditional Saudi dinner to our vantage point. We gathered around low tables, feasting family-style on plump roast lamb, spiced rice (the classic kabsa), flatbreads, and hearty stews. Lanterns and a small fire lit up the table, and a local oud player performed softly in the background. Sharing this Bedouin-style meal in the desert desert night felt like a perfect finale: the roar of AMG V8s was replaced by laughter and music. It was a reminder that beyond the hypercars and luxury, this journey was also about connecting with AlUla’s heritage and warmth.
Performance Highlights
Every AMG proved exceptional. On pavement our group witnessed instant torque and tight handling. On gravel roads we tapped into 4MATIC all-wheel drive and “Sand” mode on the G‑class, which made dune charging effortless. Fuel economy didn’t matter – even the plug‑in hybrids (C 63 S E Performance and GT 63 S E Performance) were dialed into maximum thrust, their electric boost kicking in under acceleration for truly absurd power. We swapped models often, enjoying each car’s unique character.
By trip’s end, we’d covered over 400 km of Saudi desert – old highways, winding valley roads, and untouched backcountry. All 24 AMG cars ran flawlessly: engines never overheated, suspensions handled rough tracks without complaint, and luxury cabins kept us comfy mile after mile. Above all, the adrenaline was constant: each launch, each hairpin turn, each straightaway through AlUla’s painted canyons reminded us why AMG is synonymous with performance.
Cars & Culture: Luxury Defined
This was more than a test drive – it was a deep dive into a luxury lifestyle melding global technology with local culture. In two days we flew first‑class, stayed in a boutique desert lodge, ate like royalty, and drove some of the world’s fastest street-legal cars. Everywhere we went, AlUla’s geography and history framed the experience: from the mirrored reflections of Maraya to the silent tombs of Hegra. Our AMG hosts constantly drew parallels between their machines and the surroundings – for example, noting how the mirrored G‑class body panels would glint like Maraya’s glass when crossing sunlit valleys.
In sum, the “So AMG. So AlUla.” event delivered on its promise. We tested the latest Mercedes‑AMG models and felt their raw power, while simultaneously soaking up the remarkable beauty and heritage of northern Saudi Arabia. Each engine roar echoed among 1,000-year-old forts, and each sunset drive wove a new memory into the tapestry of this ancient landscape. As we departed on October 28th, we left with engines still warm and hearts full – carrying the story of an unforgettable two-day journey where luxury performance cars met timeless desert wonder.
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