All Entries Tagged With: "300SEL"
Replacement For Displacement: Mercedes S63 AMG
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img Daimler, AG ::: Mercedes 300SEL 6.8 & S63 AMG
CUTTING against the grain of precedent – as pictured above-left with this 1971 300SEL 6.8 AMG in full racing regalia (yes, 6.3 fans, there was such a thing as a 6.8 AMG) – Mercedes-Benz has integrated two turbo chargers as part of the 2010 S63 AMG’s V8 powerplant.
AMG, Mercedes’ tuning power-haüs, has long been the champion of that tried ‘n true maxim, no replacement for displacement. But BMW’s M Division introduced bi-turbos to their V8 range which have managed to do what turbocharged engines do best – increase torque while simultaneously decreasing fuel consumption.
Mercedes had no choice but to follow, you see. Theirs – 5.5 Liter, Twin-Turbo V8 producing 571 bhp @ 5500 rpm and 900 NM of torque between 2500-3750 rpm; displacing 5461cc’s and making the S63 go to 60 in 4.5 seconds.
For gluttenous historical context: the 300SEL 6.8 AMG boasted 428 bhp @ 5500 rpm and 600 NM of torque; displacing 6835cc – 505 more than the 6.3.
YouTube: W108/W109 S-Class Photo-Montage Set To Jazz
By Gunnar Heinrich | YouTube
AS we wind the work day to a close here on the east coast, a soothing review of Stuttgart’s past is in order.
This video TRT: 07:49 is a photo montage of the W108/W109 Mercedes-Benz Sonderklasse from the 70s (remember, the W109 refers to 300SEL only).
A mixture of jpegs from the web, period film screenshots, and company archival footage all featuring 280SE and 300SELs; what’s noteworthy about this video is that it’s set to classic jazz rhythms of Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio.
A good effort by the YouTube poster. And a slick way to unwind.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Irvine
A replica. Yours For $65,000
By Gunnar Heinrich
MERCEDES’ Classic Center in Irvine, CA stands as an ongoing contract between Benz and the needs of clients with vintage models and aficionados who want to buy pristine examples of old Benzes they admire. That said, the Center’s customer service does come at price…
Benz’s Best > Top Ten Postwar Models
10) Geländewagen a.k.a. “G-Wagen” W460/461/463 (1979 – )
The ultimate survivor. Built to military spec., there’s solid reason why the UN and NGO peace organizations use the G-Wagen to get the job done. Utilitarian looks as timeless as the Range Rover County and Hummer H1.
9) S-Class W116 (1972-1979)
This solid, stolid generation of flagships included the legendary might-makes-right 450SEL 6.9. The classic three box German saloon, the 70′s S-Class rolls on as a great vestige of the marque’s grand heritage.
S-Class W140 (Sedan) (1991-1999)
Despite being chastised for running out of step with the times, the W140 saloons set the standard for the 90s. Big and beautiful, these chariots were commodious, luxurious, and represented the last generation of Mercedes sedans to embody the vaunted “vault-like” feel.
7) E Class W210 (1995-2002)
Not as solid as its W124 predecessor, but miles ahead in style. No other model in contemporary Mercedes history generated as much excitement or so revolutionized the marque as this generation E. Hugely popular, the line included the torque rich E55 AMG.
6) SL Class R230 (2002- )
Elegant yet sporty, the current generation SL embodies a classic blend of pure style. The SL is the most comfortable and luxurious roadster Mercedes-Benz has yet built and is also the most powerful. The SL55 and 65 AMG models lifted the bar on performance.
5) 300S W188 (1951-1958)
The start of the greatest flagship series the world has known. Subtle design belies solid quality and luxurious craftsmanship. The first of postwar Benz’s opened topped tourers stands as one of the 20th Century’s grandest.
4) SL Class R107 (1971-1989)
An icon for two generations. Greater than the previous W113 “Pagoda”, this roadster rolls with class, style, and substance. The 500SL and 560SL V8s produced performance times that rivaled Ferrari and Porsche. Among the ultimate boulevardiers of all time.
3) 250/280/300SE cabriolet W111/W112 (1961-1967)
Perhaps the best 2+2 convertible ever built. Precious few cars can rival the SE cabriolet’s classic panache. Instantly collectible and reliably solid, this generation will be remembered as among the finest cars Stuttgart ever built.
2) 300SL Gullwing and Roadster W198 (1954-1963)
Sex on wheels. The roadster may rank as the most beautiful car ever built. The Gullwing may rank as the most iconic Benz ever. The symbol of revival to postwar Germany’s auto industry. The straight-six’s performance set the bar for supercar performance for more than 30 years. It’s easy to justify six to seven figure price tags.
1) S Class W126 (Sedan and Coupe) (1979-1991)
The greatest generation. The longest lived S-Class and among the most commercially successful model lines in Mercedes history. Part of Benz’s golden era of over-engineering, the 80s S-Class rank among the most solid cars ever built. The 300SD, 500/560SEC, 500/560SEL are icons. Bruno Sacco’s grand sedan and coupe – penned in the 70s – influenced industry design through the 90s.
Motor Trend Reviews The Big Three
Left to right > 300SEL 6.3, 450SEL 6.9, 500E AMG
Did any of you catch this Motor Trend feature? Written in encyclopedic style, the review between three of postwar Mercedes’ most legendary sedans – the 300SEL 6.3, 450SEL 6.9, and 500E AMG – catelogues each car’s pros and cons. Matt Stone’s piece ranks a must-read for the marque’s enthusiasts.
Since it’s Friday and we can let our minds wander… of the three it’d be:
The 500E AMG for speed.
The 300SEL 6.3 for collecting.
The 450SEL 6.9 for looks.
Tap the Link > Motor Trend
