Right here's What Made The W124 Mercedes 500E One Of The Finest Sedans Ever Constructed

The Mercedes-Benz W124 solutions the necessity for a extra compact and fuel-efficient automotive that meets stringent U.S. gas economic system laws. The sequence got here with a slew of recent and fuel-sipping 4 and six-cylinder engines, and Mercedes design director Bruno Sacco sculpted the W124’s boxy countenance to slice the wind effortlessly, making it one of the vital aerodynamic manufacturing sedans in historical past.

However when it got here to force-fitting the Mercedes SL’s M119 V8 into the W124 500E, the model sought assist from fellow German automaker Porsche to make it work. The oldsters at Porsche re-engineered the entrance body rails, strengthened the firewall, relocated the entrance seats, and crash-tested your entire factor to make sure most security.

Nonetheless, the adjustments made the 500E wider than a typical W124 sedan (additionally because of extra intensive fender flares). A lot in order that it would not slot in Mercedes-Benz’s manufacturing line, so Porsche agreed to construct the 500E and ship it again to Mercedes for a last inspection. Furthermore, Porsche additionally shoehorned the SL’s suspension and brakes beneath the 500E.

Nonetheless, the difficult and time-consuming construct course of made the W124 500E prohibitively costly. Beginning at about $89,000 within the early nineties, you may want a fats checking account or an obscene inheritance to afford a Mercedes-Benz 500E.