Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Mechatronik With Modern M113 Power

The folks at Germany’s Mechatronik have long shown an affinity for Mercedes-Benz, as the shop routinely churns out some of the coolest M-B based rides on the planet. That means everything from vintage rides to modern race cars and pretty much everything in between, but our personal favorites are the older models that Mechatronik blesses with modern powerplants, along with top notch restorations and incredible craftsmanship that’s on par with the best of the best. All of that applies to this stunning 1970 Mercedes 280 SE that recently emerged from the Mechatronik shop, and it’s truly stunning to take in.
 

From the outside, one could assume that this 1970 Mercedes 280 SE is little more than a finely restored classic, as it doesn’t deviate from stock in any noticeable way. Of course, Mechatronik will build customers whatever they want, giving them a wide array of customization options, but in this case, the owner decided to take a simpler route – which we love. After all, why mess with the looks of a car that’s already a bonafide classic?
 
The same goes for the interior – Mercedes-Benz vehicles from this era featured truly special cabins, ones that were rock solid, quiet, and supremely comfortable. Mechatronik doesn’t typically mess with that formula, instead treating these interiors to fresh threads to make them new again, while also adding non-intrusive modern amenities like heated seats, navigation, or Bluetooth stereos – the kinds of things that most people might not even notice.
 

Where things truly diverge from original, however, is what lies under the hood – in this case, a 5.5-liter M113 V8 – one of the more iconic powerplants in Mercedes history. In this case, the modern mill cranks out 360 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, which is a considerable upgrade over the original 2.8-liter M130 inline-six cylinder engine, and it’s even lighter, to boot. The V8 is mated to a NAG1 five-speed automatic transmission, sending power back to a limited-slip differential.
 
Otherwise, there are few clues that this is a restomodded 1970 Mercedes 280 SE, save for a lowered suspension with KW Automotive springs and shocks, while larger disc brakes with calipers from a W126 are hiding underneath those classic 15-inch wheels. But peek closely at the incredible quality of this build – or just under the hood – and most will quickly discover that it’s no ordinary vintage luxury sedan – not by a long shot.