Shot in a single take, it is an example of cinéma-vérité. The length of the film was limited by the short capacity of the reel, and filmed from a gyro-stabilised camera mounted on the bumper of a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.[2] This model, which could reach a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph), was only available with a 3-speed automatic transmission. Yet, one can hear gear changes up into 5th, as well as heel-and-toe down-shifting with a high-revving engine indicating speeds of well over 200 km/h. Calculations made by several independent groups showed that the car never exceeded 140 km/h (85 mph)[3], while another[4] estimated that the car had peaked at 220 km/h (136.7 mph). Lelouch himself claimed that the top speed achieved was over 200 km/h, somewhere between 230 km/h and 240 km/h.[5]It is suggested that the sound was dubbed with the noise of Lelouch's 275GTB, which has a corresponding number of gears and a similar engine note.
The sound was pure Ferrari; I know it well having been in front and behind it on tracks.
There were some pretty amazing controlled slides that would be difficult without the balance of a Ferrari; certainly no sedan (of the era) could pull it off.
Some tight spots, too (like when he went up half on the sidewalk) that I doubt a sedan could fit in.
I go with the filmaker’s own story — he stuck the camera on his Ferrari.
If somebody did that with a Mercedes 450SEL 6.9, I’m even more impressed. That’s a pretty damn big car to be getting hauled through some of those corners.
If nothing else, just getting to sit and listen to 7+ minutes of overdubbed Ferrari 275GTB sound was worth it. There is nothing in the world that sounds like a Ferrari.
}:-)4