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Mercedes Benz 450SEL
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1975 - 1980 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
V8 |
Capacity: |
6.835L |
Power: |
286hp |
Transmission: |
3spd auto |
Top Speed: |
unknown |
Number Built: |
7380 |
Collectability: |
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by Nathan Vujcich
First offered in 1975, it shared the grand 600s 6.3
liter V8 but had it bored out to 417ci/6.835Ltrs
to produce an appreciable 286hp and highway pounding
550Nm of torque.
It was and remains the biggest postwar engine mercedes
ever made. A 0-100 figure in the low 7's made it
the quickest luxury 4 door in the world at the time,
but it was its freeway abilities past 100kmh which
really impressed and left all in its wake.
Times could have been more impressive but Mercedes Benz
decided a 3 speed was adequate, rather than using a
4 speed which was in the 6.9s forefather - the even
'quicker' 300SEL 6.3.
The huge engine utilised dry sump oil delivery to allow
the engine to fit under the existing bodywork of the
W116 S class chasis.
It employed a unique hydro-pnuematic suspension which
provided for the ultimate in 70's ride, enabling self
levelling (no matter the load) capabilities and the
ability to raise the car around 3 inches (to prevent
mud piling on the underside of your car when touring
your estate!)
But what distinguished one of the worlds
most expensive cars from its lesser brethren, absolutely
nothing over a base model 280SEL which cost less than
1/2 the price!..only an astute eye would pic the 6.9
badge on the right rear boot.
By the end of production in 1980, only 7380 of these german muscle
cars were made, many shipped to the US and being robbed
of power by emissiom standards there (US version
only had 250hp).
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