V8 engine

The naturally aspirated V8 engine: Time to say good-bye to an old friend!

On: January 1, 2021

You may be aware that we live in a fast-changing world. This is especially true for cars these days. Automotive innovation is all about alternative energies, software platforms keeping up with your smartphone and artificial intelligence for autonomous driving. Don’t get me wrong – I like innovation, I fancy progress and I care for our environment! Still, it doesn’t stand in way of progress to make a halt and reflect on how quickly the change is happening. Right now, it is about time to realize that our ole’ friend, the naturally aspirated V8 engine, has already disappeared from automotive manufacturing lines almost entirely! Time toRead More →

1999 Mercedes-Benz G500 Convertible – this already was a classic car when it left the factory!

On: November 26, 2020

The Mercedes-Benz G wagon has been a very special car for as long as I can remember. It has been produced in more or less the same shape since 1979, it has always been and still is the benchmark in off-road capabilities, it came in engines ranging from a 72 horsepower 4-cylinder diesel up to a 630 horsepower 12-cylinder and most of all, it is a lovable quirky car. I don’t think this is true for any other car on the planet. However, the G wagon convertible is even more special: It was both a serious off-road car and a quirky fashion item at the

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140) vs. Jaguar XJ (X300) – a clash of cultures in the 1990’s luxury class!

On: September 27, 2020

Imagine it was the year 1997, and you were going to spend significant money on your new luxury sedan. Unlike today (where luxury sedans across all brands appear increasingly identical) you were confronted with significant alternatives: Do you prefer technology or classiness? Space or grace? Back then, you actually had real choices. The best example for this clash of cultures is probably the choice between the W140 Mercedes S-Class and the Jaguar XJ of the X300 / X308 series. Let’s have a look! The philosophies behind these two cars are about as different as luxury sedans got back in the 1990’s Specifically, let’s compare a

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evo II: This is as crazy as Mercedes got in the 1990’s, and they have become really expensive meanwhile…

On: July 26, 2020

With its giant rear wing, the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II was about as crazy as Mercedes design got back in 1990. The car was produced in a small homologation series of 502 units (of which 500 were actually shipped to the market). The four valve four cylinder engine delivers 235 hp at a stunning 7,200 rpm, accelerating the car up to 250 km/h. One of the most interesting aspects about this car is the evolvement of its market value since 1990 – it wasn’t always as precious as today! Up to about 2010, these cars were traded at no more than 50,000 Euro,

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL: Rocky and his more distinguished family members

On: June 21, 2020

There is little doubt that the Mercedes SL R129 is on its way to become a true classic. When it came out in 1989, it clearly pushed technological boundaries, it was born with a classic design and, last not least, it simply is a Mercedes SL. Legendary designer Bruno Sacco, head of Mercedes-Benz design from 1975 until 1999 (over 20 years, can you imagine this in today’s short-lived times?), referred to the R129 as “the most perfect car in my career”. The most perfect car of my career! Bruno Sacco, former head of Mercedes-Benz design, about the R129 However, as is often the case, not

My Digital Home for Future Classic Cars from the 1980's & 1990‘s