AMG's legendary 300SEL 6.8 united with new ultra-efficient S63 show car at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. This is the daunting high speed "Eau Rouge" uphill swerve.
Power and Brawn
Meets Power and Efficiency
Mercedes recently returned with two unique cars to the site of one of AMG’s greatest achievements during its early years, the sinuous high-speed Spa circuit in Belgium. Each finished in an eye popping red; the two S-Class sedans symbolize the Silver Star’s quantum leap in power and efficiency over the last four decades. The more upright model was a familiar warrior from years past – AMG’s muscular 300SEL 6.8.
Hurling the heavy 6.8 liter, 428hp long wheelbase 300SEL over Spa’s original 14km configuration, drivers Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz hauled the red beast to 2nd place in the 1971 epic. No significant issues were reported over the grueling, sometimes wet 24 hour endurance test.
Two #35s circulating Spa. New S63 show car showcases the efficient and frugal delivery of massive power. Original AMG 6.8 delivered a 2nd place in 1971 utilizing brute power, crude aerodynamics and reliability.
The real story here is the September 2010 release of the new AMG Performance 2015 low emissions, fuel efficient bi-turbo V8 engine/7 speed MCT transmission combination. There will be no 2010 race prepared S63s competing at Spa the year although a computer simulated race comparison with the 300SEL would be an interesting exercise.
39 years of engine development reflected in these two powerful S-class Mercedes-Benz. The new base 5.5 liter twin-turbo V8 produces 116 additional hp over the 1971 6.8 liter.
Responsible Power
AMG’s New Era
With their “Performance 2015″ program, AMG is taking the initiative toward addressing the “greening” of the high performance segment head on. The new twin-turbo S63 sedan delivers significant improvements on all fronts – power, fuel consumption AND emissions.
“With a provisional NEDC fuel consumption of 10.5 liters per 100 kilometers, the new S 63 AMG is 3.9 liters more economical than the preceding model powered by the naturally aspirated AMG 6.3-litre V8 – despite an increase in output by 14 kW (19 hp) resp. 34 kW (46 hp) and in torque by 170 and 270 newton meters. Engine specialists consider this achieved fuel saving of more than 25 percent to be nothing less than a quantum leap. CO2 emissions have likewise been significantly reduced: at 246 grams per kilometer, the figure is 28.5 percent lower than for the previous model. Both performance variants have identical fuel consumption and CO2 figures.”
Spa 24 hours 2010: Which S-Class would triumph? My vote goes to the new S63.
Running the competition 300SEL through the industry’s fuel consumption loop and testing tail pipe emissions would provide some laughs compared to the new car’s testing results. And so they should. Automobile engine management and design has been transformed over the last four decades and is poised once again for another sea change. AMG and Mercedes-Benz are leading the way with their AMG Performance 2015 program.
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Mercedes-Benz
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One Response to “AMG 300SEL 6.8 meets Eco-Friendly S63 “Thirty-Five” at Spa”
Wow, that S63 looks larger than the 300SEL which I always considered a “large car” – maybe it’s just an optical illusion. Of course that 40 years of improved performance and consumption is no illusion! Good article!
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