From the same Auto Express video series that brought us the E30 BMW M3 against the F30 BMW 320d drag race, we now have a similar duel, this time between two Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousines.
The 1979 Mercedes 450 SEL was the top of the range model of the W116 generation, the first of the large Mercedes saloons to be officially called the S-Class. Powered by a 6.8-liter V8 gasoline engine delivering 286 hp and 549 Nm (405 lb-ft) of torque, the 450 SEL was the late 1970’s equivalent of today’s S63 AMG.
On the opposite corner, there’s a 2013 Mercedes S350 CDI, a modern day S-Class powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel engine developing 258 horsepower and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque. Judging from these figures, the drag race promises to be a balanced one. The old car has more power, while the new one has more torque.
Considering both weigh roughly the same, at just under 2 tons (4,409 lbs), the outcome of the duel is even more difficult to predict. Scroll down to watch the interesting drag race in the video below.
By Dan Mihalascu
VIDEO