This secret Mercedes concept reimagines the 6.8-litre 300 SEL ‘Red Pig’

Here’s a not-so-little secret. Mercedes-Benz’s long-serving and now former design boss Gorden Wagener has revealed a never-before-seen showcar that reimagines one of the brand’s most outlandish racers. It’s the return of the ‘Red Pig’.

Obviously, it’s a render and unlikely to escape the digital realm, but it’s an interesting idea. Interesting because it softens up the original’s squared-off haunches, adds a bit of modern Merc glitter like starry headlights and a massive, chintzy grille, and slots in unconscionably massive wheels.

Wagener simply noted on his social media feed that this showcar was “inspired by the Mercedes-AMG 300 SEL 6.3 ‘Rote Sau’ from 1971 – another legendary design from the past into the future”. (Wagener stepped down as MB's design boss at the end of Jan 2026, FYI.)

Of course, we all know it wasn’t a 6.3, because AMG founders Aufrecht and Melcher needed something meatier to countenance the 300 SEL’s bulk for its fun day out at Spa.

Where sensible racing teams were fielding sensible racing cars like Ford Capris and BMW E9s and Alfa GTAs, AMG rolled out Merc’s 300 SEL – the big fun bus that served as predecessor to today’s S-Class.

The 6.3-litre V8 was embiggened to 6.8-litres and out popped 428bhp and 457lb ft as a result, able to fire the big 1,635kg Benz from 0-62mph in 6.1s. In 1971’s Spa 24hrs – twenty-four hours racing a Mercedes S-Class! – the Benz was one of the last cars standing at the finish, coming in a hot second, three laps down on the winning Capri.

Had it been more parsimonious with its fuel and tyres, who knows if it could have actually won. Reckon Merc should make this and have another crack at Spa?

Images: Gorden Wagener Instagram