Throwback : Porsche Helped Mercedes-Benz To Build This Rare 500E Supercar In The 90s (Photos)

Meet the rare Mercedes 500E, the Mercedes-Benz super-sedan that was built by Porsche.

The Mercedes-Benz 500E is the high-performance version of the popular Mercedes W124.

Just 10,479 copies were built by Porsche. It was sold by Mercedes-Benz from 1990 to 1995.

With the German recession taking its toll on Porsche in the 80s, the automaker needed assistance to prevent it from going into extinction.

Mercedes came to Porsche’s rescue.
The collaboration between the two German automakers led to the creation of this low-volume Mercedes E-Class in 1990s.

With Mercedes busy with the development of the new S-Class; the automaker commissioned Porsche in 1989 to redesign the W124 chassis. Necessary changes were also made on the suspension system and drive train.

The redesigned chassis were transported by truck to the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen to be painted.

When Mercedes was done with the painting, the varnished chassis were shipped back to Porsche’s “Rössle-Bau” plant in Zuffenhausen, where the engine was put in and the car completed.

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For final inspection and delivery, the vehicles again were transported to Sindelfingen. This process took a full 18 days per car.

Mercedes E500E

 

The Limited Edition Mercedes-Benz 500E  (W124.036) was a high-performance version of the popular Mercedes W124.

The 500E has features like center console in rear seat, heated front Seats, traction control and power rear sunshade.

Other features includes integrated front fog lamps, integrated cell-phone and antenna-mounted in center armrest and a 6 Disc CD Changer.

The 500E had a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 engine derived from the 500 SL roadster. This 322 horsepower engine allows a zero to 60 mph in under six seconds.

Just 10,479 copies were built by Porsche. The high-performance car was sold by Mercedes from 1990 to 1995.

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