The internet is buzzing today with the reveal of a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Mercedes 300 SL, although this time, it’s not coming from Mercedes-Benz.
A Paris-based coachbuilder, which crafted luxury car bodies in the early 20th century, has made its return with a fresh project, paying homage to the iconic Mercedes 300 SL.
This revived company is Saoutchik, originally established by Jacques Saoutchik—born Iakov Savtchuk—in 1906. The business ceased operations in 1955, just three years after being passed down to Saoutchik’s son.
The newly relaunched Saoutchik was founded in 2016 in the Netherlands and focuses on automotive design and engineering, although it also ventures into industrial design beyond the automotive industry. The company claims to manage the entire production process, from concept sketches to small-batch manufacturing.
Saoutchik’s tribute to the Mercedes 300 SL is named the 300 GTC. The “GT” pays homage to the body style derived from the Mercedes-AMG GT, specifically the previous-generation GT Roadster. Evidence of this can be seen in the interior, which mirrors that of the previous AMG GT model.
The exterior design of the 300 GTC was developed by Ugur Sahin Design, a firm that previously created a homage to the Ferrari F50. The 300 GTC incorporates many styling cues from the original 300 SL, blending classic elements with contemporary details.
Crafted entirely from carbon fiber, the body panels are supplied by German company Pogea Racing. Saoutchik states that each 300 GTC requires approximately 4,000 hours to complete from start to finish.
Technical Specifications
Although no mechanical details have been confirmed, it is widely believed that the vehicle will feature the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the AMG GT, the car it’s modeled after. This powerful engine is likely paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission mounted at the rear.
Limited Production
Saoutchik has announced that only 15 units of the 300 GTC will be produced. While pricing details have yet to be revealed, it is clear that the vehicle will be based on the first-generation AMG GT platform.
The Legacy of the Mercedes 300 SL
Mercedes-Benz originally produced 1,400 coupe versions of the 300 SL between 1954 and 1957. Following that, from 1957 to 1963, the company manufactured 1,858 roadster models with convertible tops.
These historic cars were powered by a 2,996 cc inline 6-cylinder engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission.
