Sauber Mercedes C-8

The first result of the collaboration between the Swiss Sauber and Mercedes-Benz is this C-8, a Group C racer that marked a return to motorsport for Mercedes-Benz.

The chassis is an aluminium monocoque and the car is powered by a production-based, though further developed M117 engine, a 5.0-litre, turbo-charged V8. Twin KKK turbo-chargers, a considerably lighter crankshaft, polished connecting rods and forged Mahle pistons enabled it to produce approximately 700 hp. The car was entered for the 1986 World Sportscar Championship season by the main sponsor Kouros, an eau de toilette by Yves Saint Laurent. That year, in rain and mist, the French racing driver Henri Pescarolo and his New Zealand colleague Mike Thackwell won the ADAC 1,000 km Rennen with this car at the Nürburgring. The Kouros Racing Team thereby finished fifth in the team championship in their debut season.