Round half-hour from the birthplace of Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart is a specialist that’s been working on the marque since earlier than the flip of the millennia.

Again within the late ’90s, a passionate, graduate electrical engineer by the title of Frank Rickert was working at AMG’s Affalterbach plant when he had an concept. Frank noticed a possibility to take intensive AMG and Mercedes-Benz information he discovered on the job, and use it to flip the prevailing merchandise he was engaged on up a notch.

At this level, Frank knew the whole lot there was to learn about retrofitting modern handsfree telephones (and keep in mind, this was new tech again then) into older Mercedes-Benz fashions. He needed to do extra to the vehicles than simply the devices although, so he made the bounce and began his personal firm.

In 1997, Frank created Mechatronik. A German play on the phrases ‘mechanics’ and ‘electronics,’ Mechatronik would develop over the years to return, turning into an business chief in distinctive, custom-order Mercedes-Benzes, geared up with not simply the newest expertise obtainable, but in addition trendy powerplants to match the trendy expectations of the three-pointed stars on their bonnets.

Displaying me round their amenities and telling me the Mechatronik story is my tour information, Kevin.

Kevin has been a part of the enterprise since 2017, and is effectively versed within the historical past and fervour that goes into the corporate’s product. That itself is kind of spectacular, because the attain of Mechatronik’s work and talent is so huge that it stretches additional than any storage and workshop I’ve seen earlier than.

At the moment, Mechatronik focuses on two main working areas (three when you rely Cartique, the Mechatronik supercar dealership, which we are able to take a look at one other time.)

The primary space is restoration and upkeep. With over 25 years of expertise engaged on Mercedes-Benzes, there actually isn’t a problem or drawback that fazes the Mechatronik group right here in Stuttgart. Throughout my tour I noticed all method of buyer vehicles being maintained in and across the storage.

These vehicles had been flawless. Mechatronik’s upkeep division isn’t some kind of fundamental mechanics shed with a number of C-Class diesel taxis up on ramps getting new wheel bearings. No, the purchasers who convey their vehicles listed below are worldwide. These individuals have uncommon, low-mileage examples of Mercedes-Benz’s best hits, and Mechatronik is the specialist they belief to take care of them.

With nice information comes a stacked CV to help their work. Kevin proudly instructed me that Mechatronik is the one specialist formally recognised by Mercedes-Benz that may legitimately service and keep the CLK GTR.

Go to the Mechatronik facility at any given time and likelihood is they’ll have one CLK GTR being labored on. After I visited, the group had two in. One, the silver street automobile you possibly can see within the pictures, and the second, a full GT1-spec automobile in bits, getting recommissioned again collectively for a brand new lease of life.

Subsequent to that? Oh, only a CLK DTM carrying the ever iconic Vodafone livery… with the 4.0L V8 that powered the automobile to win the 2003 DTM championship out on the facet for upkeep. Seeing these vehicles in bits actually provides to the magic of engineering that went into creating them. Nothing was compromised to be able to pursue racing victory.

My spotlight? In all probability the 190 E DTM automobile that Keke Rosberg drove within the 1992 championship a decade after his F1 championship win.

But it surely’s not simply the mid ’00s and late ’90s that function within the Mechatronik’s garages. This go to happened a pair days after Mechatronik’s annual open home weekend, they usually nonetheless had a few of their most fascinating tasks out on show for me to {photograph}. Their fashions of selection are the W113 SL Pagoda and the W111 Coupe.

Now, if Mechatronik are certified for the job of taking care of these vehicles, one can start to picture the care and a spotlight that goes into the second half of the enterprise. Alongside the upkeep, Mechatronik additionally construct their very own Mercedes-Benz fashions from the bottom up as custom-order vehicles.

Charmingly known as the M-SL or the M-Coupe (M standing for Mechatronik), these vehicles obtain the Mechatronik remedy each in restoration and in upgrades. “The primary automobile we did was the Pagoda. Then, we used the two.3 V6 that got here in varied ’90s Mercedes on the time,” Kevin started to inform me.

“At the moment, our vehicles include a selection of two V8s – both a 4.3 or 5.0, each of which got here new in Mercedes vehicles in 1997, such because the S500.”

Sourcing the automobile itself is exclusive to every buyer. Mechantronik can search them out, however usually the automobile is already within the proprietor’s possession. Kevin explains: “A few of our prospects convey their very own Pagodas, that are household heirlooms. Maybe the automobile was owned by the client’s father.”

“Sticking with our heritage, we retrofit varied digital items onto the vehicles. ABS and ASR get built-in in, in addition to creature comforts akin to electrical home windows or heated seats,” defined Kevin. These are issues we take without any consideration at this time, however do not forget that we’re speaking about Nineteen Sixties vehicles right here.

With that taken care of, the automobile is then given the Mechatronik remedy. I make this sound straight ahead, however it is a two to three-year-long course of. It includes deep-diving into each single facet of the automobile, from a restored, virtually new powertrain, to an immaculately repainted physique and excellent stitching in a completely {custom} inside.

In the event you didn’t know higher, you wouldn’t be capable of inform that these choices weren’t obtainable on the unique base vehicles. “The vehicles aren’t made to be race vehicles. We attempt to hold the texture of the outdated automobile with issues just like the outdated steering field and interval right visuals.” 

“With that stated although they’re nonetheless fairly sporty. For instance, we now have an ideal relationship with KW and use their suspension elements on the vehicles. The purpose for us is for the M-SL and M-Coupe to be the right, usable traditional day by day driver, and we take dynamics into consideration right here. We make them completely excellent.”

Kevin’s confidence is backed by the fruits of Mechatronik’s labour. The magic concerned with the M-SL and M-Coupe is their usability and reliability which comes from the newer, upgraded energy vegetation. “A few of these vehicles go to prospects all around the world the place upkeep of an outdated, authentic Pagoda is difficult. The M-SL although might be taken care of in locations akin to South Africa or Australia which aren’t the better locations to personal outdated vehicles. Take a Mechatronik’s Pagoda to a Benz supplier although, and also you’ll have extra luck.” After-sale servicing and restore is one thing I didn’t even take into account earlier than speaking to Kevin.

Even in a spot like London although, the place traditional automobile possession is less complicated than ever, I nonetheless discovered myself strolling away from my go to to Mechatronik HQ lusting over an M-SL. It’s a part of the Germanic perfection and allure that comes hand in hand with the usability of the vehicles.

Add within the iconic appears of the Pagoda and you’ve got your self exactly what Mechatoniks got down to create – an ideal, usable traditional day by day driver.

Michał Fidowicz
Instagram: candyshowroom