The popular saying 'one man’s loss is another’s gain' played out perfectly back in the days as the CW311 show car abandoned by Mercedes was later produced by Isdera as the awesome Imperator 108i. The Isdera AG which in English stands for “Engineering Company for Styling, Design, and Racing” is a specialty carmaker and design service provider with headquarters in Saarwellingen, Germany. Originally founded in Leonberg in 1982, Isdera is the brainchild of German automotive designer Eberhard Schulz.
In 1984, Isdera launched the production version of the Mercedes-Benz CW311 concept car which was originally designed for Mercedes by Schulz while he worked as a designer-engineer for the German automotive company. The CW311 prototype was proposed as the successor to the Wankel-powered C111 before the project was terminated by Mercedes. Nonetheless, having earned the right to produce the car from Mercedes, Schulz launched the production version of the sports car as the Imperator 108i through Isdera.
8 Design
Designed by German car designer and Isdera founder Eberhard Schulz, the Imperator 108i is built as a 2-door coupé constructed with a fiberglass body on a tubular steel spaceframe chassis. One of the most exotic cars of its era, the German sports car was launched with fixed unit headlights and a more conventional taillight.
The wheelbase is 98 inches long, while the length, width, and height are 166 inches, 72 inches, and 45 inches, respectively. Also, the amazing Imperator 108i has a total curb weight of 2,756 lbs.
7 Engine Options
Since the Isdera Imperator 108i is developed as an evolution of a Mercedes show car, Isdera again sought help from Mercedes to power the project. Therefore, the original Imperator 108i is powered by a 5.0-liter Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 engine.
However, subsequent versions received more powerful Mercedes-Benz engines such as the 5.6-liter Mercedes-Benz M117 V8, as well as the 5.6-liter AMG V8 and the 6.0-liter AMG V8. The Isdera Imperator 108i notably received the newest corresponding Mercedes engines as they were produced.
6 Power Output
Relying on the firepower from Mercedes engines, Isdera was able to provide the Imperator 108i with adequate juice to compete with the best cars of its era. The first in series of the Imperator 108i is fitted with a 5.0-liter Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 engine with an output of 300 horsepower.
Subsequently, more powerful engine options like the 5.6-liter Mercedes-Benz M117 V8, a 5.6-liter AMG V8, and 6.0-liter AMG V8 were adopted, and they provided an increased power of 390 horsepower and more.
5 Performance
The power generated from the assortment of potent Mercedes engines fitted on the Imperator 108i is sent to the rear wheels of the awesome sports car through a 5-speed ZF manual transmission for the most incredible performances.
Notably, the 5.0-liter engine option with the 300 horsepower out can propel the car from rest to 60 mph in five seconds, with a top speed of 176 mph. Subsequent units were fitted with the more powerful 390 hp-producing engines, which earns them greater performances.
4 Rear-View Periscope
Keen observers and anyone familiar with the Imperator 108i must have noticed the siren-like bulge on the roof of the sports car. Contrary to what it looks like, it’s definitely not a siren, but an awesome innovative feature deployed on the Imperator 108i for a better view of the surroundings.
To be precise, this feature is a rearview periscope, and it was adopted in place of the conventional rearview mirror found on most cars, giving the driver a proper view of the back.
3 Gullwing Doors
The gullwing door is an ingeniously designed car door style that was pioneered by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, initially as a race car in 1952 and as a production car in 1954. Also known as a falcon-wing door, in this type of style, the door is hinged at the roof rather than the side of the car.
Notably, the “gullwing” name was coined from the door’s resemblance to a seagull’s wings when left open. Hence, having adopted several features from the Mercedes brand, the Imperator 108i also featured gullwing doors.
2 Facelift
Asides from the power upgrade, the Imperator 108i was also given a comprehensive facelift in 1991 that further raised its stock among its peers. The facelift incorporated several features found on the 1978 show car, and these include the return of pop-up headlamps, as well as the addition of more vents in front close to the doors.
Furthermore, the car was also given a curvier body shape, redesigned front grille with repositioned turning indicators as well as optional wing mirrors. In all, about 17 units were produced with the facelift.
1 Production Numbers
The Isdera Imperator 108i has all the attributes of a unique and rare luxury car. One of such attributes is its low production number as well as its quite short production reign. Limited production often makes cars extremely rare and more valuable, and as such, they become a prime target for collectors due to their high value.
To be precise, the Isdera Imperator 108i was production-ready in 1984, and it remained in production only till 1993. In total, only 30 units were produced.