Isdera Imperator 108i

Isdera Imperator 108i
Overview
Manufacturer	Isdera
Production	1984-1993; 30 units produced
Designer	Eberhard Schulz
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	Midengine, Rear-wheel drive
Related	Mercedes-Benz CW311
Powertrain
Engine	5.0 L (5,000 cc) Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 5.6 L (5,600 cc) Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 5.6 L (5,600 cc) AMG V8 6.0 L (6,000 cc) AMG V8
Transmission	ZF 5-speed
Dimensions
Curb weight	1,350 kg (2,976 lb)

The Isdera Imperator 108i was a low-volume German supercar produced from 1984 to 1993. The Imperator 108i was born out of the Mercedes-Benz CW311 concept car from 1978. Eberhard Schulz, who formerly worked as a design engineer for Mercedes-Benz, headed an engineering company that designed the CW311 concept. With no interest in putting the CW311 into production itself, Mercedes-Benz allowed Schulz for produce the vehicle under his own brand, Isdera.^[1]

Implementing a fiberglass body upon a tubular steel spaceframe, the Isdera Imperator 108i was comparable to the Lamborghinis of its day. The original Imperator 108i featured 5.0 L (5,000 cc) Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 engine which gave the vehicle a top speed of 176 mph (283 km/h) and an acceleration of 0-60 mi (97 km) in 5.0 seconds. As Mercedes-Benz developed more powerful V8 engines, they were used in the Imperator 108i. Later engines included a 5.6 L (5,600 cc) Mercedes-Benz M117 V8, a 5.6 L (5,600 cc) AMG V8 and a 6.0 L (6,000 cc) AMG V8, with both AMG engines featuring advanced 32-valve cylinder heads.^[1]

Unusually, the Imperator 108i featured a rear-view periscope, creating a bulge on the roof. It also featured gullwing doors.^[1]

Production ended in 1993 with a total of thirty examples produced, two of which were exported to Japan.^[2]

Rear view  With Mercedes-Benz badging

References

1. Wan, Mark. "Isdera Imperator 108i (1984)". AutoZine. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
2. "1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Mercedes Gullwing". German Cars For Sale Blog. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2012.