- Unpublished concept pays tribute to the 1971 300 SEL 6.8 AMG “Red Pig”.
- Original race car produced 315kW from its 6.8-litre V8 and reached 265km/h.
- Modern show car appears in the 2025 book Iconic Design but not intended for production.
A previously unseen Mercedes concept paying homage to the legendary 300 SEL 6.8 AMG has surfaced online, shared by former Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener.
The retro-inspired show car, described by Wagener simply as the “unseen Showcar”, appears in the book Iconic Design, published in November 2025.
While never officially unveiled by Mercedes-Benz, the design study reimagines the infamous 1971 300 SEL 6.8 AMG (better known as the “Red Pig”) through a contemporary lens.
Classic racer, modern surfacing
The concept blends traditional Mercedes sedan proportions with current design cues. A large chrome grille, reminiscent of recent electric models, dominates the nose, flanked by vertically stacked headlights and additional LED rings set low in the bumper.
Along the flanks, the bodywork features sculpted surfaces and a sleek greenhouse more in line with modern AMG concepts than 1970s touring cars. Yet there are deliberate nods to the original racer: widened arches, a racing livery, a pronounced front splitter and five-spoke wheels wrapped in AMG-branded tyres.
At the rear, full-width LED lighting sits low across the tail, paired with illuminated rings integrated into the diffuser. The result is a study in contrasts, part heritage homage, part futuristic experiment.
There are no technical details accompanying the concept, and it appears to have been created as an internal styling exercise rather than a production proposal.
Revisiting the “Red Pig”
The original 300 SEL 6.8 AMG earned its nickname thanks to its size and colour, yet its performance silenced critics. Based on the W109 luxury sedan, it featured flared guards, lowered suspension, extra lighting and a heavily modified 6.8-litre V8.
That engine produced 315kW, helping propel the 1635kg sedan to a top speed of 265km/h. At the 1971 24 Hours of Spa, the car secured a class win and finished second overall, competing against lighter purpose-built machines.
Its success played a pivotal role in establishing AMG’s reputation long before Mercedes acquired a controlling stake in the performance brand in 1999.
The original racer is believed to have been dismantled after its competitive life, later serving as a test platform. In 2006, Mercedes constructed an official replica using period documentation and a donor 300 SEL 6.3 chassis.
Whether Wagener’s rediscovered concept was ever intended for more than internal reflection is unclear. What it does show is that even in an era of electrification and digital design, Mercedes’ motorsport heritage continues to inspire bold ideas, even if they remain locked away in the vault.
