Why Porsche Built This Mercedes—and Why It’s Back on Display

German Collaboration

It’s now very common for automotive brands to work together; we see the likes of Porsche and Audi signing agreements to share platforms, technology, and, probably, people, to develop next-generation models. This practice is considered a cost-effective way to build and develop new cars.

Back in the day, it was more of an individuality-driven industry where it was more important to one-up the competition. However, the very rare occasions when brands worked together produced some iconic cars; one has just been brought out on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

Who Would’ve Thought?

While Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are direct competitors today, before they weren’t. Not many of each brand’s cars competed against the other, but sales being sales, both still had a healthy rivalry. Fate had intervened for both brands, which would end up working together on a very special car. On display now at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart is the last-ever E500 sedan, with just 262 miles on the odometer.

Back in the late 80s, Mercedes wanted to create a model to rival the BMW M5’s growing popularity. At the time, the model responsible for that challenge was the W124; the problem lay in the conception of a performance model. While Mercedes had the V8 engine, the wide-body fenders needed for the W14 didn’t fit in the assembly line.

This led them to contact the neighbor brand Porsche, which, at the time, was cash-strapped, and an agreement was eventually reached under which Porsche would receive the parts and hand-assemble the cars themselves.

New Heritage On Display

Porsche was also involved in the tuning of the chassis and suspension. It was one of the original sleeper models, and under the unassuming W124 body was a V8 making 322 horsepower. The display car is even rarer, being one of just 500 built under the exclusive “limited” trim level. It features special leather interior and iconic EVO 2 rims.

The 1995 Mercedes-Benz E500 is part of a limited display at the brand’s museum, the Youngtimers exhibit. While the E500 is certainly a centerpiece of the collection, the rest of the display cars are no slouch. Notable models include the 190 E 2.5, E 60 AMG, and SLR McLaren Roadster.

This unique exhibit will be running from April 11 until May 31, 2026.