When it comes to classic Mercedes-Benzes, the German automaker may be known for its storied history of making some of the most refined and durable diesel motors. But it’s also known for making some of the most robust gasoline V-8s in history, a reputation firmly established by the M116 and M117 V-8s.
In 1969, Mercedes-Benz introduced the M116 V-8 and later, its more powerful variant, the M117 in 1971. Not only were they to cater to the high demand for more power from top-paying American customers and enthusiasts who were already scooping up 3.4-liter and 3.8 liter Jags, but Mercedes engineers learned that European laws taxing companies producing engines larger than 2.7-liters would be changed. So they proceeded to develop a new V-8 to compete and meet the luxury car standards of the era.
Once in production, both motors served duty in a plethora of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars up through 1992, making it the longest-running and most prolific line of series production gasoline engines produced by the Three-Point Star. Their ubiquitous use in Benz’s flagship models translated into being one of the automaker’s iconic signatures.
They’re also the engines that helped define Mercedes-Benz as a leader in performance and a purveyor of understated speed. Engineered specifically to the standards of the Autobahn, the M116 and M117 were designed to repeatedly propel its cars to their maximum speed, fully…
