The newly unveiled Analogue Mercedes 500E restomod swaps modern electronics for controls inspired by the 1885 Benz Patent‑Motorwagen, aiming at drivers who prefer a hands‑on experience.
The project is being undertaken by a tuner that has built a reputation for restomodding classic Mercedes‑Benz performance models, often blending period‑correct aesthetics with contemporary powertrains.
Analogue ambition meets a 1990s super saloon
A specialist tuner has taken a 1990s four‑door performance sedan and fitted it with a steering tiller and a manual hand‑crank starter, elements that pre‑date the automobile itself.
The build is officially limited to just one car in every 500 produced, a figure the workshop uses to stress its exclusivity and to differentiate the vehicle from any factory‑issued Mercedes‑Benz.
“We see loads of ‘analogue this’ and ‘analogue that’ these days, but mostly they all seem to gravitate towards the same recipe: manual gearbox, no turbos, no touchscreen blah blah blah,” a source close to the project said.
According to the source, the hand‑crank starter is mounted on a robust lever that rivals the size of a small pipe, demanding genuine arm strength to spin the engine.
“Which is fine. Cars like that are cool. They make you work for their performance. There’s no distraction. But they’re a bit… samey. You know what’s even cooler? Having to really work just to get up to 10mph.”
Mechanical contrasts and performance claims
Under the retro‑styled cockpit sits an uprated 5.0‑litre V8 delivering 700 bhp and 700 lb‑ft of torque, far exceeding the original model’s output.
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“We’re not silly. You’re getting an uprated 5.0‑litre V8 with 700bhp and 700lb ft of torque stuffed under the bonnet.”
While the powertrain is contemporary, the exterior retains classic proportions, and the limited run is capped at 1/500 units, each priced at $5 m.
The $5 million price tag is rationalised by the combination of a bespoke 700 bhp V8, hand‑crafted interior controls, and the scarcity of the 1‑in‑500 series, positioning the car as a collector’s artifact rather than a daily driver.
The juxtaposition of a high‑output engine with a hand‑crank starter creates a paradoxical driving ritual that may appeal to enthusiasts seeking novelty over convenience.
Potential driver experience
The restomod replaces hydraulic assistance with a tiny geared tiller to steer a 1.8‑tonne chassis, a setup described as “comically small.”
The geared tiller operates through a reduction box that multiplies input torque, yet its diminutive lever arm still feels outsized when negotiating tight corners, turning the act of steering into a deliberate, physical exercise.
“Hydraulic steering? Aww, that’s cute. Try turning a 1.8‑tonne performance saloon using a geared, comically small tiller.”
Brake hardware mirrors the era of the Motorwagen: wooden blocks press against forged aluminium wheels via a single leather lever, a design the team admits will challenge slowing the vehicle from 70 mph.
