GRR

Video: A twin-turbo V8 Mercedes V-Class is silly but brilliant

16th August 2022
Seán Ward

Oh look, it’s a Mercedes V-Class. Wait, no, hang on a minute… What in the name of all that’s holy has that thing got under its bonnet? This is a V-Class from German tuners GAD-Motors with a modified 4.0-litre twin-turbo AMG V8, and it’s steaming around the Nürburgring. We can only laugh at this madness.

According to the company, on a big trip that required a seven-seater the team picked up a rental V-Class. They all thought it was great but underpowered, so not long after they handed the keys back the idea of a V8-powered V came to mind. Fast forward many, many months, the GAD team had a V-Class with a great big hole in the engine bay, ready to accept the 4.0-litre AMG unit. Sadly it didn’t quite fit, so some modifications were made with GAD parts and, sure enough, the whole thing just about squeezed in. From there they modified the suspension and nine-speed gearbox, fitted carbon-ceramic brakes and new electronics, and finally made a new exhaust and cooling system. The result is the 585PS (430kW), seven-seat V8 lunatic you see before you.

It's a vehicle that only really makes sense in Germany, on the derestricted sections of Autobahn that the GAD team found tiresome with a regular V-Class, and even then it doesn’t really need to exist. But, watching it here, shouting its way around the world’s most fearsome track, we’re very glad it does.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Racing an 870PS Quattro‑swapped Mini is disgustingly fast

  • Elevenses

  • Video

  • Nurburgring

  • Nordschleife

  • Mercedes

  • V-Class

  • V8

  • AMG

Classic Car Insurance The Goodwood Way

ENQUIRE NOW
elevenses-v8-v-class-2.jpg

News

Video: A twin-turbo V8 Mercedes V-Class is silly but brilliant

16th August 2022

fabian-schiller-nurburgring-onboard-2.jpg

Modern

Video: AMG GT3 flat-out at the Nürburgring

14th January 2021

mercedes_amg_one_ring_record_goodwood_video_2022_.jpeg

News

Video: Mercedes-AMG One smashes Nürburgring road car record

10th November 2022

Mercedes-Benz_AMG_ONE_Nordschleife_2024 MAIN.jpg

Modern

Mercedes-AMG One smashes own production car record at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife

03rd October

sabine-schmitz-nurburgring-onboard-video-2011-porsche-911-gt3-r-vln-goodwood-27032020.jpg

Modern

Video: Proof that Sabine Schmitz is the undisputed Queen of the Nürburgring

27th March 2020

mercedes-amg-project-one-testing-nurburgring-main-goodwood-01092021.jpeg

News

Video: AMG Project One, Bugatti Centodieci spied on the 'Ring

01st September 2021

elevenses-bmw-m3-nurburgring.jpg

Modern

Video: Onboard BMW M3 GTS vs M5 Nürburgring battle

09th May 2023

mercedes-amg-gt-black-series-nurburgring-record19.jpg

News

Onboard: AMG GT Black Series breaks Ring record

18th November 2020