While the 5-litre BMW unit developed 300 metric horsepower (220 kW), Mercedes-Benz upped the ante considerably by creating a 6-litre, 300-kilowatt (408 PS) engine.

It uses sequential fuel injection (SFI) and features forged steel connecting rods.

The M120 was eventually replaced by the smaller (5.8 litres), lesser-powered, short-lived, SOHC, three valves per cylinder M137 V12 engine.

[2] The 7.3 L M120 engine was also featured in the AMG-built, S 73 T Kombi, a custom-built W140 S-Class wagon for the Sultan of Brunei.

[3] In 1997, the FIA GT Championship race car Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR was fitted with the M297 engine, derived from the M120.