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Written by Tom Harrison
Looks like an ordinary W124 Mercedes E-Class, but isn"t. The 500E was a very special thing indeed - a limited-production, V8-powered super-saloon developed and built in collaboration with none other than Porsche. It had the 5.0-litre V8 from the SL of the day, giving around 320bhp and 0-62mph in less than six seconds. Supposedly the 500E was also among the first cars to have its top speed limited to 155mph, in-line with an agreement between all the big, German car manufacturers. As well as messing about with the chassis to make the V8 fit, Porsche re-did the suspension (lowering the car by an inch in the process), added Recaro seats, a subtle bodykit with flared wheel arches and fitted bigger brakes. It was also recruited to actually build the 500E - a decision made when Mercedes realised the car"s flared arches made it too wide to fit down the normal W124 production line.
Date written: 8 Apr 2019
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 15353
Looks like an ordinary W124 Mercedes E-Class, but isn"t. The 500E was a very special thing indeed - a limited-production, V8-powered super-saloon developed and built in collaboration with none other than Porsche. It had the 5.0-litre V8 from the SL of the day, giving around 320bhp and 0-62mph in less than six seconds. Supposedly the 500E was also among the first cars to have its top speed limited to 155mph, in-line with an agreement between all the big, German car manufacturers. As well as messing about with the chassis to make the V8 fit, Porsche re-did the suspension (lowering the car by an inch in the process), added Recaro seats, a subtle bodykit with flared wheel arches and fitted bigger brakes. It was also recruited to actually build the 500E - a decision made when Mercedes realised the car"s flared arches made it too wide to fit down the normal W124 production line.
Date written: 8 Apr 2019
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 15353
