Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz 500E (W124)

The Mercedes-Benz 500E represents an extraordinary confluence of German engineering royalty, born from an unprecedented collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Seeking to create a discreet, autobahn-dominating super-sedan capable of challenging any sports car, Mercedes-Benz commissioned Porsche to re-engineer the W124 chassis and assemble the vehicle by hand at their historic Rössle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen. Wedging the all-aluminum 5.0-liter 32-valve M119 V8 into the mid-size engine bay required widening the front and rear track widths, yielding subtly muscular flared fenders that created one of the most iconic Q-car silhouettes in history. With 322 horsepower routed through a heavy-duty four-speed automatic transmission, the 500E delivered velvet-smooth executive composure at high speeds, earning its enduring reputation as the Velvet Hammer.