When Mercedes Met Porsche, The Mercedes-Benz 500 E
Over thirty years ago, Mercedes met Porsche to develop and produce the Mercedes-Benz 500 E. In 1990, Mercedes launched the 500 E at the Paris Motor Show. This was to be the top of the range of the 124 series.
Out of all the high performance saloons produced by the Stuttgart based manufacturer, the 500 E stands out something special. Eight cylinders in V configuration, 5 litres, with 240 kW, or 326 hp. The top speed is a mystery, but officially limited to 250 km/h or 155 mph. This was one of the fastest sports cars available at the time.
One of the cars greatest features was the discrete nature of the outward appearance. It isn’t obvious as to what you are looking at. Of course, to an enthusiast it’s easy, but to most it was just another upper mid-sized Mercedes saloon. This appealed to the buyers who didn’t want to make the statement that some high performance cars do. Those enthusiasts however would notice the flared arches on the wings, making space for the 225/55 tyres on their 16 inch rims. The car was lower too at 23mm less than a regular W124.
This discrete appearance meant that when the Mercedes-Benz 500 E was presented on a turntable at the Paris Motor Show it didn’t look much different to a standard model. However, published performance figures did make them pay attention. A 4,973cc engine, the limited 250 km/h 155 mph top speed. 0 – 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
The details behind this were pretty sophisticated. Electronically controlled Bosch LH-Jetronic intake-manifold petrol injection system. A heated wire mass air flow sensor, a first for Mercedes-Benz. The ASR traction control system fitted as standard to prevent the driven wheels from spinning on smooth road surfaces. They even moved the batter to the boot to optimise weight distribution.
Installing a large powerful engine into a smaller class of car isn’t a new thing for Mercedes. The 6.3 litre M100 from the W100 600 limousine made its way into the W109 as the 300 SEL 6.3. So, it was already up for the challenge. The W124 was designed with the later addition of a V8 engine in mind.
When it came to doing so it became clear that some of the front end of the car would need some redesigning. But Mercedes were rather busy developing the new SL R129 series and W140 S Class. They decided to contracted the work out to next door neighbours Porsche. In 1987 Porsche accepted the contract from Mercedes and started with an ordinary W124 and eight cylinder M119 engine. Essentially this was the same engine used in the Sauber – Mercedes C9 that won the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans 24 hours in 1989.
Porsche were also assembling the 500 E. Body panels were supplied to them from Sindelfingen. The body was then assembled and sent back to be painted at Sindelfingen. Then returned to Porsche at Zuffenhausen. The final assembly was done by Mercedes. The entire drivetrain, supplied by Mercedes, was fitted at Porsche.
By April 1995 Mercedes had built 10,479 units of the 500 E. At the end of production two more V8 models had joined it. The E60 AMG, with the 6 litre M119 engine, and a 400 E. These two had 280 kW, 381 hp, and 205 kW, 279 hp, respectively. The 400 E didn’t get the media attention that the 500 did but sold 22,802 units.
The 500 E at launch cost DM 134,510, which was twice as much as the 182 hp 300E. It was much more opulently appointed though. The Limited edition was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1994. 500 being the number of units Mercedes was limiting the model to. Sold in an exclusive trim with either sapphire black or brilliant silver paintwork. Kind of a last hurrah for the model due imminent replacement.
The 500 E was phased out at the same time as the rest of the W124 range which ended production in 1995.
German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport said in the 15 / 1990 issue. “As good-natured as a fairy-tale uncle, as agile as a nimble sports car and, to top it all, comfortable as well? Indeed, that’s the most surprising feature of this chassis. In spite of the performance tuning, the springs and shock absorbers soak up uneven road surfaces in such a well-mannered way that even the more spoiled customers will have little reason to bellyache.”
“Road & Track”, issue 5/1992, enthused. “The 500 E is a magnificent high-performance saloon that’s heavy on the visceral. It looks right (low slung, intimidating, but not showy, like the AMG Hammer or Mercedes’ own 600 SEL). It sounds great (nothing beats the thunder of a big V-8). It goes sinfully fast for a family 4-door (155 mph, electronically limited). It has everything you’d expect in a Mercedes. And a few things you wouldn’t. Mostly, gobs of horsepower and an attitude that says … well, you know the word.”
There’s more on the Mercedes E Class history in this article.
I must say thanks very much to Mercedes for the use of the images.
Simon
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