This is the new great challenge: Limited raw material reserves, increasing difficulties in obtaining additional energy, and the constant rise in the cost of energy and resources. The protection of the environment from noise, the preservation of clean air and water.
Will these serious problems destroy the tremendous advantage that the automobile provides — both for individual mobility and for the world’s development? Daimler-Benz offers an answer to this question. And not just today. We built the first diesel passenger car, and the first car with a fuel-saving, performance-enhancing injection engine.
We gave the automobile safety, added comfort and spaciousness, adapted it to human needs, and made it valuable. The character and perfection of Mercedes-Benz automobiles uphold the right to individuality — and to better solutions. That shall not be abandoned.
Engine
Horsepower (kw)
Automatic Transmission (sp)
At the same time, because these challenges must be addressed seriously, we are seeking new ideas that make a true synthesis possible.
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 is a step in this direction. We have made this top model of our passenger-car range a carrier of progress, a pioneer of future solutions.
In the 450 SLC 5.0, we are confronting the energy problem with new technological answers: through new materials that reduce weight, through design changes that lower aerodynamic drag — and thus reduce energy consumption.
And the new light-alloy engine has also been improved in both noise reduction and exhaust emissions.
Two important steps in the right direction.
The new 450 SLC 5.0 features a light-alloy engine — offering significant weight savings while maintaining excellent thermal characteristics, unchanged long service life, and an increase in power output to 177 kW (240 hp), with fuel consumption of only 14.5 liters per 100 km (DIN).
This modern power unit is equipped with fuel injection and contactless transistor ignition control.
A three-speed automatic transmission with torque converter transmits the engine’s dynamic power with silky smoothness.
A rear-axle anti-squat system prevents the rear of the vehicle from dipping during acceleration or when moving off from a standstill.
The hood and trunk lid are also made of light alloy, contributing further to weight reduction.
From the outside, the 5.0-liter coupé can be immediately recognized — in addition to its distinctive contrasting stripes — by its two spoilers, one below the front apron and one at the rear.
These not only give the vehicle a sportier profile, but also serve important functions: they help reduce the car’s overall aerodynamic drag and lower lift forces at the front axle.
All these measures combined — the use of light alloy for the engine, body components, and wheels — result in a weight reduction of well over 100 kg. Together with the improved airflow from the spoilers, this contributes to favorable fuel consumption values.
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0, which otherwise fully meets the high standard of the 450 SLC, is being produced in a limited series.
Whether the design principles applied here will later be adopted in large-scale production models will depend, not least, on the feedback from the drivers of this new 5-liter coupé.
For this reason, Mercedes-Benz has dedicated the 450 SLC 5.0 to automotive enthusiasts who appreciate technical sophistication — and who take pleasure in the thought of being one car length ahead on the road to the future.
Engine V8 engine with fuel injection, transistor ignition, and hydraulic valve clearance compensation; 177 kW at 5000 rpm, or 240 DIN hp at 5000 rpm.
Transmission 3-speed automatic with torque converter; centrally mounted selector lever.
Axles Front axle: Double wishbones with anti-dive geometry. Rear axle: Diagonal swing axle with anti-squat geometry and starting-torque compensation. Optional: self-leveling suspension.
Suspension At both front and rear: two coil springs and two double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers with gas filling.
Brakes Dual-circuit servo-assisted braking system; disc brakes front and rear; front discs internally ventilated. Light-alloy wheels with turbine vanes for additional cooling. Parking brake with separate brake shoes and drums. Warning light for both brake circuits and brake pad wear indicator.
Steering Precise and easy-to-operate Mercedes-Benz power steering; large padded plate on the steering wheel hub; impact-absorbing element beneath the padding; telescopically collapsible steering column; steering gear positioned well behind the front axle.
Body Rigidly welded frame floor assembly integrated with the body structure; excellent all-around visibility; smoothly closing doors. Fuel tank located above the rear axle; energy-absorbing front and rear sections; optimal visibility in all directions. Full-view safety glass all around. Front and rear spoilers. Hood and trunk lid made of light alloy.
Seats Ergonomically shaped, securely mounted, and contoured for lateral support. Seat suspension tuned to match the vehicle suspension. Seats adjustable in length; driver’s seat height-adjustable. Continuously adjustable backrests with vacuum-operated locking. Rear bench seat with folding center armrest. Front seats equipped with headrests and automatic seatbelts.
Heating and Ventilation Draft-free continuous airflow for warm or cool air, with additional blower for windshield, side windows, and footwells. Air volume and distribution for warm or cool air continuously and separately adjustable for upper and lower outlets. Separate heating controls for right and left sides. Continuously adjustable ball-type vents with wide swivel range for warm or cool air on both sides of the dashboard. Large adjustable outlets in the center of the dashboard for cool air, controllable in all directions. Warm or cool air ducts extend into both doors. Continuous ventilation through slots beneath the rear window largely prevents rear window fogging.
Lighting Parking lights, asymmetric halogen dipped beam, halogen main beam, and headlamp adjustment for loaded or unloaded vehicle. Halogen fog lamps, parking lights, reversing lights, and rear fog lamp integrated into the taillight unit with additional switch position and warning light on the central light switch. Continuously dimmable instrument lighting; interior lights front and rear; footwell lights with door contact and manual switch; map-reading light; illumination for luggage compartment, heater controls, and glovebox. Warning buzzer for headlights left on.
Windshield Laminated safety glass windshield; windshield washer system; windshield wipers with two speed settings operated via the combination switch on the steering column; additional switch position on the combination lever for intermittent wiper operation.
Instruments Dashboard padded and impact-absorbing, prearranged for the installation of a stereo system and air-conditioning unit. Speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, coolant temperature gauge, warning light for both brake circuits, battery charge indicator, turn signal indicators, high beam indicator, and low-fuel warning light. Electric clock, odometer, and trip counter.
Signaling System Headlight flasher; turn indicators with automatic return and touch contact for overtaking signal, operated via the combination switch on the steering column. Electric horn, brake lights, and hazard warning system.
Locks Safety pin locks on the doors; lockable glove compartment; trunk lock; steering lock combined with ignition switch, starter, and starter-repeat lockout. Master key operates doors, ignition, glove compartment, trunk, and fuel filler cap. Secondary key for doors, ignition, and fuel filler cap (single-key system).
Miscellaneous Safety pin locks on the doors; lockable glove compartment; trunk lock; steering lock combined with ignition switch, starter, and starter-repeat lockout. Master key operates doors, ignition, glove compartment, trunk, and fuel filler cap. Secondary key for doors, ignition, and fuel filler cap (single-key system).
| Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Bore/Stroke | 97/85 mm |
| Total Displacement | 5025 cm³ |
| Engine Power (DIN) | 177 kW at 5000 rpm 240 PS at 5000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque (DIN) | 404 Nm at 3200 rpm 41 mkp at 3200 rpm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.8 |
| Tyres | 205/70 VR 14 |
| Fuel | Super (according to DIN 51600) |
| Fuel Consumption (DIN 70030) | 14.5 litres / 100 km |
| Fuel Tank Capacity of which Reserve | 90 litres approx. 13 litres |
| Weights Kerb Weight (ready to drive) / Permissible Total Weight | 1515 kg / 2005 kg |
