1992 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 500E
Price on request
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Body
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Sedan
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Transmission
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Automatic
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Exterior Color
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Grey metallic
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Upholstery
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Leather
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Steering
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Lhd
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In the late 1980s, Mercedes' management decided they wanted to give BMW a run for its money with a new rival to their M5, based on the acclaimed W124 E-Class. Mercedes' new M5 rival was in many ways a successor to the 300 SEL 6.3 and similarly needed to combine the comfort of a luxury sedan with the performance of a sports car. Because the Mercedes plant was running at maximum capacity and the company was not really prepared for a low-volume production model, a partner organization was sought to help with development and production.
A deal was struck in which Porsche was commissioned to act as subcontractor for what became known as "Project 2758. Porsche was responsible for virtually all the integration work required, including modifications to the W124 bodywork to accommodate a large 5.0L V8 engine. Porsche also fitted thicker fenders, new suspension (with shorter springs and Bilstein shock absorbers) and thicker stabilizer bars. Despite the changes made by Porsche, the new model was perhaps the most understated Super Saloon of its time. Only 10,479 units in total were built of this legendary model.
The 500E flaunts a powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, delivering an impressive 322 horsepower. With acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, this powerhouse dominates the road full of finesse and comfort. The later '93 and '94 models lost some of the power in an attempt to appease emissions settings, this reduced their horsepower to 315.