Mercedes-Benz S600L Estate (1994)

Launched in 1991, Mercedes-Benz sought once more to capitalise on their previous successes of the ‘S’ with the W140 generation. Penned by master Bruno Sacco, the W140 was engineered and marketed as the flagship saloon, priced above its competitors. Much like previous generations, Mercedes-Benz used the S-Class as a means to introduce their latest technological innovations and the W140 was no different.

Noted innovations included Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), side airbags, automatic windscreen wipers, xenon headlights, double-paned soundproof glass and so on. Much like the influence of Formula 1 today on the latest sportscars, many of the luxuries and safety features in cars today found their debut on the S-Class.

Offered with a range of engines and configurations, the W140 was offered with an inline-6, V8 or V12 in capacities ranging from 2.8 litres to 6.0 litres in standard production configuration. The then-separate AMG would further offer upgrades to the M120 powerplant, increasing capacity to 7.0, 7.2 and 7.3 litres respectively. Each of these AMG-fettled displacements would later be fitted to Italy’s Pagani Zonda supercar.

Starting out as wholly separate entity, AMG made its name offering performance enhancements for series production cars. Their primary focus meant their initial offerings were that of larger, racing-derived engine upgrades, later offering suspension and braking upgrades, wheels, body kits and lastly bespoke projects.

AMG would first enter a merged collaboration with Mercedes-Benz in the early 1990s, with the first fully co-developed model that of the 1993 C36 AMG. Its sales and developmental successes throughout the remainder of the 1990s saw the overall acquisition of AMG by DaimlerChrysler AG in 1999.

Please note, this vehicle is no longer for sale.

The single largest collector of premium and luxury cars throughout the 1990s was that of a prominent Royal Family. Today that collection is understood to be the largest in the world; and without doubt, their continued purchasing power through turbulent global economic times ensured the survival of a myriad of manufacturers. The likes of Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren all saw their order books bolstered by the Family. Furthermore, a passion and affinity for the bespoke saw each of the marques carry out a wealth of revisions both in house and through the likes their design houses and trusted specialists. For Ferrari it was Pininfarina, Mercedes-Benz it was AMG, Aston Martin and Bentley carried out much of their bespoke coachwork in house.

Numerous bespoke projects were carried out through the 1990s at the request of VIP clients. Whilst much of the financing had come in the form of large, multiple unit orders, there was also further demand for coachbuilding from some European and Asian individuals.

18 examples of the W140-series S-Class are known to have been converted estate car form on behalf of AMG, and it is believed that as many as 15 of those went to a single Royal custodian. The remaining handful of other cars are scarcely seen, and even fewer have changed hands since. Whilst two cars have been seen in Johor, and one in Japan, some have never and may never be seen outside of the garages and collections in which they reside.

In order to fulfil the request to convert the W140, or more specifically, the V140 long wheelbase variant of the latest S-Class into an estate car, AMG sought the assistance of further specialised coachbuilding expertise. A project shrouded in secrecy, the records of manufacture are limited and their true story tricky to unravel.

It is certain that each of the bespoke S-Classes and the CL-based convertible left the Mercedes-Benz production line in Stuttgart as a standard production car. The 17 digit VIN number for every car built, regardless of final form, colour, trim and engine configuration simply declares each to example to be powered by the 6.0 litre V12.

An earlier foray into the S-Class estate domain saw a prototype built by Mercedes-Benz coachbuilders CADFORM and Binz. This prototype had in fact been angled for production, but was mysteriously canned by Mercedes, despite them producing thousands of brochures promoting the car. Based on a standard wheelbase S-Class fitted with the 5.0 litre V8, it was fitted with the squarer roofline and rear assembly of the earlier W124 E-Class. There was to be no production for the masses and just one example was built.

In order for AMG to complete the original conversions, the metalwork for the extended roof line was borrowed from the then brand new S210 E-Class estate, easily identified from the curved shape of the c-pillar; the rear screen utilising the same star-marked window panel. For many of the cars, the rear subframe was shared with the outgoing W124 E-Class estate, including a flatter fuel tank to allow folding rear seats.

Taking inspiration from each of these cars, Falcon Design was tasked with creating the S600 estate that was never built. Sourcing a long-wheelbase S600L from Japan, Falcon undertook the same process that AMG would have. The complex process including grafting on the extended roof line and rear hatchback of an S210 E-Class estate to the rear of the S-Class. Opting for fixed back rear seats instead of folding for optimum comfort and space, the build of this example did not necessitate the movement of the fuel tank.

The rear seats retain their electric adjustment and the front passenger seat can be moved from the rear. With all of the original cars built in RHD, this is understood to be the sole left hand drive S600 estate. Today this example is finished in Polar White (149U) over Designo Green leather (X08) and Designo Green trim (W07). Sharing its M120 6.0-litre V12 with Pagani’s Zonda C12 road car, this S600L is a part of a very small club of four-door, V12-powered estate cars.

With no sign of any of the others becoming available, this example presents superbly and is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.