Talk:Purple Mercedes Go-Bot
Hey guys, Mercedes employee here.
Just, uh... just how sure are we that this guy is actually a Mercedes? We, and several other sites, have it listed as an SL500 (R129), but a lot of details don't add up: the body in general is a bit too rounded; the front bumper & grille slopes in a way that wouldn't be used until 2000s models and looks too aggressive for a Mercedes; the hood narrows more than a R129 reasonably would; the quarter windows are the wrong shape (smoothly sloped instead of the 45 degree angle that many MBs had at the time); and the R129, to my semi-professional knowledge, never had the sculpted "vents" running along the length of the fenders and doors that this toy has. I've even checked the official MB parts catalog and the details do not match. Obviously there can be creative liberties taken when trying to emulate a non-licensed vehicle, but there are too many things that bother me to ignore. If anything, it more closely resembles a '94-'95 Mustang (though even that isn't a perfect match), or certain JDM-style cars like an NSX. Even based on better pictures of the prototype, it really doesn't strike me as a Mercedes R129. (At the same time, over 5 hours of research into the topic hasn't brought me much closer to a definitive match, so...)
Based solely on the mainpic and what's presented on the article, it seems like the Mercedes designation might come from a Yahoo Japan auction or a BotCon listing? Are there any actual HasTak documents/statements we know of that label it as an MB? Or could this be a case of circular reporting? Let me know what you all think. Crossfire 12:03, 11 April 2025 (EDT)
- I've saved some better images from galleries and eBay auctions that disappeared into the digital ether years ago. [1] That looks like neither a Mercedes nor a Mustang. That was also years before Hasbro ventured into fully fantasy territory with made-up designs or "hybrid" models.--Nevermore (talk) 19:38, 11 April 2025 (EDT)
- I think the 92 Mercedes 500SL Koenig Special (another version) is closer. Still no perfect match, but maybe a similar custom version?--Nevermore (talk) 07:14, 12 April 2025 (EDT)
