A newly revealed Mercedes design study resurrects the spirit of AMG’s legendary “Red Pig,” blending historic racing cues with modern styling.
A Hidden Concept Resurfaces
Shortly after stepping down from his design leadership role at Gorden Wagener unveiled a previously unseen styling study that revisits one of the most important racing sedans of the early 1970s under the Mercedes-Benz banner.
The project, described by Wagener simply as the “unseen Showcar,” pays homage to AMG’s breakthrough racer nicknamed the “Red Pig.” The design never appeared at a motor show and appears to have remained an internal exercise rather than a production proposal, quietly stored away until now.
From Archive to Book Page
The concept’s existence came to light through the design book Iconic Design, authored by Wagener alongside Thomas Ammann and Marc-Stefan Andres, and published by Delius Klasing in late 2025.
Styling Exploration
Little technical context accompanies the images, reinforcing the idea that this was a pure styling exploration rather than a vehicle intended for engineering development. Such internal projects often allow designers to revisit brand heritage without constraints tied to production feasibility.
Old Proportions, New Details
The concept merges classic Mercedes sedan proportions with modern surface treatments and lighting technology. A large upright grille references current Mercedes design trends, while stacked headlamp elements and circular LED signatures lend the car a futuristic presence.
Visual Cues
Elsewhere, aerodynamic glasshouse shaping and muscular surfacing connect the car visually to recent AMG show concepts. Racing cues, including a front splitter, period-inspired graphics, and five-spoke wheels wrapped in AMG-branded rubber, further echo the motorsport roots. A full-width LED light bar and diffuser-mounted lighting at the rear complete the retro-futuristic look.
Revisiting AMG’s Breakthrough Moment
The styling exercise draws directly from AMG’s early success, long before the performance brand became fully integrated within Mercedes in 1999. The original racing sedan shocked competitors at the 24 Hours of Spa in 1971, securing a class victory and finishing second overall despite competing against much lighter cars.
Unlikely Racer
Based on a large luxury sedan platform, the race car featured widened bodywork, additional lighting, revised suspension, and a heavily upgraded 6.8-liter V8 producing roughly 428 horsepower. Even at around 3,600 pounds, it could reach about 165 mph, cementing AMG’s reputation for extracting unexpected performance from big Mercedes sedans.
The Original’s Fate and Legacy
The original race car’s story took an unusual turn after retirement, reportedly ending its life as a test vehicle for French aerospace firm Matra before ultimately being scrapped. Recognizing its historical importance, Mercedes later constructed a faithful replica in 2006 using period documentation and a suitable donor chassis. Wagener’s newly revealed concept, meanwhile, stands as a modern designer’s tribute, not a production preview, but a reminder of the racing success that helped shape AMG’s global reputation.
