Who is Saoutchick? All you youths in your Teslas and tuned-up RS3s have probably never heard of Coachbuilding. Long before your granddad was born, elite car manufacturers simply supplied a chassis and engine. The owner would then take his vehicle to a coachbuilder who, for an additional cost, would fit a body of their choosing. One of the most renowned names in the long–lost world of coachbuilding was Saoutchik. Founded in 1906 by Iakov “Jacques” Saoutchik, this French-based coachbuilder sculpted beautifully crafted bodies for the most elite of high–end manufacturers During the 1920s and 30s, long before Ferrari or Porsche were obsessively sought after, the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, Bugatti, Rolls Royce, Cadillac and Duesenberg all had bodies handcrafted by Saoutchik. Some of their well–known creations include the Rolls Royce Phantom Transformable, the Type 57 Bugatti, and the Cadillac Sixty-Two. But their most famous creation was the 1928 Mercedes 680S Saoutchik Torpedo, a car that won Best in Show at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Despite Saoutchik’s success, after the Second World War coachbuilding had become obsolete. Most manufacturers now sculpted their own bodies, with only a select few cars being sent to coachbuilders. This lack of demand spelled doom for Saoutchik, and by 1955, the company was liquidated. The automotive landscape changed. Brands like Ferrari, BMW & Porsche became big names and those like Duesenberg disappeared. For nearly seven decades, Saoutchik was little more than a footnote in automotive history….until now. The Return of Saoutchik The return of Saoutchik would not have been possible without a strategic partnership with Ugur Sahin Design, and Pogea Racing. Pogea Racing, a German tuning company, handled the performance while Ugur Sahin, a Dutch design firm, handled the body. Together, these two companies promised to bring back the spirit of Saoutchik through engineering, coachbuilding, and the production of bespoke limited-series vehicles. And what they ended up building, was a statement for the future of coachbuilding. The 300 GTC: The Best of Past with Present This statement is the car you see above: the 300 GTC. A car inspired by the legendary 1954 300 SL roadster, one of the most beautiful cars ever to grace the earth. Everything about the 300 GTC screams classic Mercedes. It’s low, complete with a wide-set grille, round headlights, a curvaceous rear, and a gracefully sculpted body. It looks virtually similar to a 300SL. However, don’t be fooled into thinking this is a resto-mod like Singer or Eagle. It has 22-inch chromed wheels, an electronically controlled fabric roof, vents behind the front wheels, and even a retractable rear spoiler. This is a thoroughly modern car, mixing the best of the old with the best of the new. And things only get better from below the skin. Because underneath, this is essentially a 2024 Mercedes-AMG SL63. It has the same interior, the same doors, the same 4matic all-wheel-drive system, and under the bonnet the same 585 horsepower 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8. Power is still sent through a 9-speed MCT gearbox, 0-62mph takes 3.6 seconds and flat out, it will hit 196mph. The only thing is, you’ll never drive something as exotic as the 300 GTC flat out. Saoutchik is only building 15 of them and each will be tailored to its customer needs. It’s for cruising down Saint Tropez rather than barnstorming down the Autobahn. Though it will cost a pretty penny, Saoutchik hasn’t announced a price, but at minimum, probably be $850,000. The Future of Saoutchik Saoutchik’s return marks an exciting chapter in the current world. It’s a reminder that the art of classic coachbuilding still has plenty of life in it. The 300 GTC perfectly encapsulates what 21st-century coachbuilding is all about. Taking that classic beauty from the “golden age of motoring” and balancing it with the style, speed, and comfort of a modern car. The 300 GTC is the embodiment of this modern approach to coachbuilding. And as Saoutchik re-establishes itself, car enthusiasts and collectors alike will be eagerly watching to see what comes next. (Fingers crossed a revived Gullwing). This is not just the rebirth of a brand; it’s the revival of an art form. Source: Motor AuthorityF1rstMotors Facts and FiguresManufacturerSaoutchikModel300 GTCYear of Release2025Engine4.0L Twin–Turbo V8Horsepower577hpTorque600 lb–ft0–62mph (100km/h)3.6 secondsTop Speed196mph (315 km/h)Weight1960kg (2 tonnes)Power to Weight289 hp per tonneGearbox9 speed MCT Dual ClutchDriven WheelsAll Wheel DrivePriceN/A (Potentially $850,000)RivalsN/A Source: Saoutchick website
