- Renntech enlarges the Mercedes M120 V12 to 7.5 litres, producing 492kW/881Nm.
- The SEC V12 Sledgehammer is based on the C126 coupe with bespoke aerodynamic bodywork.
- Production is limited to 12 units globally, with first deliveries scheduled for 2027.
US-based aftermarket tuner Renntech has pulled the covers off one of its boldest builds yet: a reimagined Mercedes-Benz C126 SEC powered by a heavily reworked V12 with roots in some serious exotica.
Called the SEC V12 Sledgehammer, the project pays tribute to the famed AMG “Hammer” models of the 1980s, while centring on the legendary M120 naturally aspirated V12, an engine famously used in the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR and Pagani Zonda.
Supercar heart, classic shape
At the core of the Sledgehammer is a significantly revised version of the M120. Renntech has stretched capacity to 7.5 litres, extracting approximately 492kW and 881Nm.
To sharpen the soundtrack, the tuner has engineered equal-length exhaust headers designed to let the V12 sing in a manner reminiscent of its Italian hypercar relative. Transmission details have not been confirmed, but drive is expected to go to the rear wheels.
The original C126 SEC was never short on presence, yet this reinterpretation aims to elevate it well beyond factory specification.
Wider, lower, louder
Renntech will build just 12 examples globally, each featuring bespoke bodywork that pushes the SEC into far more aggressive territory. Preview renderings show a reshaped front end with revised grilles and a distinctive bonnet, along with dramatically flared front and rear quarter panels.
The widened stance accommodates forged wheels and uprated performance brakes. Around the back, a new bumper, diffuser and prominent lip spoiler complete the transformation. Renntech says the redesigned panels are not purely cosmetic, claiming aerodynamic gains alongside the visual drama.
It’s a thorough rethink rather than a light refresh.
Tailored inside, rare outside
Interior images have yet to be released, but Renntech promises fully bespoke cabin treatments. Buyers will reportedly have access to a wide selection of materials and finishes, allowing each car to be individually specified.
Pricing has not been disclosed. The company has confirmed, however, that the first customer car is scheduled for completion in 2027.
For enthusiasts who remember the original AMG Hammer as a blunt instrument of excess, the Sledgehammer appears to follow the same philosophy, only this time with nearly 500kW and a V12 lineage shared with bona fide supercars.
