Mercedes-Benz produced 10,479 examples of the 500E, including the closely related E500 and E60 AMG production counted with the series.
The 500E was a high-performance W124 sedan built from 1991 to 1995. Mercedes worked closely with Porsche because the enlarged bodywork, suspension and five-litre V8 required special engineering and assembly arrangements. Porsche helped build the cars in Zuffenhausen before they returned to Mercedes for finishing, making the understated sedan an unusual collaboration between the two German manufacturers.
The model began as the 500E and was renamed E500 after the W124 facelift for the 1994 model year. Its naturally aspirated 5.0-litre M119 V8 produced about 326 PS, and its top speed was limited to 250 km/h. The broad fenders and discreet styling helped create its “sleeper” reputation.
The figure is sometimes described simply as 500E production, but the published total includes the E500 and E60 AMG variants. That accounting detail explains why different summaries may appear to give slightly different totals.