Engineering:Mercedes-Benz C111

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Mercedes-Benz C111/II
Mercedes-Benz C111/II at the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Overview
ManufacturerDaimler-Benz
Production1970 (16 cars produced)
AssemblyWest Germany: Untertürkheim
DesignerBruno Sacco
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door berlinetta
LayoutLongitudinal, Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
DoorsGullwing doors
Powertrain
Power output
  • M 950 F: 205 kW (275 hp) at 7000 rpm[1]
  • M 950/4: 260 kW (349 hp) at 6000 rpm[1]
  • OM 617: 140 kW (188 hp) at 4200 min−1[2]
  • OM 617: 170 kW (228 hp)[3]
  • M 117: 368 kW (493 hp)[4]
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,620 mm (103 in)
Length4,440 mm (175 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height1,120 mm (44 in)
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz SL-X
SuccessorMercedes-Benz CW311
Mercedes-Benz C112
Suspension layout of the Mercedes-Benz C111 with independent multi-link on the rear axle
C 111-II
C 111-III
C 111-IV

The Mercedes-Benz C111 was a series of experimental automobiles produced by Daimler-Benz in the 1960s and 1970s. The company was experimenting with new engine technologies, including Wankel engines, diesel engines, and turbochargers, and used the basic C111 platform as a testbed. Other experimental features included multi-link rear suspension, gull-wing doors and a luxurious interior with leather trim and air conditioning.

History

The first version of the C111 was completed in 1969, and presented at the 1969 IAA in Frankfurt. The car used a fiberglass body shell and with a mid-mounted three-rotor direct fuel injected Wankel engine (code named M950F). The next C111 appeared in 1970; it was shown at the 1970 Geneva International Motor Show. It used a four-rotor engine producing 260 kW (349 hp).[1] The car reportedly could reach a speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).[5]

The company decided not to adopt the Wankel engine and turned to diesel experiments for the second and third C111s. The C111-IID's engine was a Mercedes-Benz OM 617, and produced 140 kW (188 hp) at 4200 min−1. It was based on the Mercedes-Benz 85 kW variant of the OM 617 used in the Mercedes-Benz W 116 S-Class, but had a different turbocharger without a wastegate, which allowed an increased pressure ratio of 3.3. Daimler-Benz also added an intercooler that significantly improved the engine's thermal efficiency.[2]

The C111 III prototype that was completed in 1978, had a more aerodynamic bodywork that gave it an air drag coefficient of 0.195. It had a modified 3-litre version of the Mercedes-Benz OM 617 five-cylinder Diesel, now producing 170 kW (228 hp), and a BMEP of 1.68 MPa, resulting in a maximum torque of 401 N·m at 3600 min−1. It enabled the C111 III to reach a top speed of 338 km/h (210 mph) at the 12.5 kilometres (7.8 mi) long[6] Nardò Ring in 1978, and also to average a 16 l/100 km fuel consumption at an average speed of 325 km/h.[3] The engine was fitted with an M-type inline injection pump of Bosch's PE series with a maximum injection pressure of 40 MPa.[7]

The C111 IV had a 4.5 L twin KKK-turbocharged V8 engine that produced 368 kW (493 hp; 500 PS) at 6000/min.[4] This set another record at the Nardò Ring in 1979, with an average speed of 403.78 km/h (250.958 mph), driven by Hans Liebold.[8]

Total production was 16 cars: 13 first and second generation Wankel engined cars, two diesel engined third generation cars used in the Nardò record attempt, and a single V8 engined fourth generation car.[9]

Mercedes-Benz introduced the C112 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1991 as a proposed production sports car. The car used a mid-mounted 6.0 L V12 engine. After accepting 700 deposits, the company decided not to proceed with production.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bensinger 1973 p. 143
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Zinner 1980 p. 294
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Reif, Konrad (2012-02-23) (in de). Klassische Diesel-Einspritzsysteme. Wiesbaden: Springer. p. 51. ISBN 978-3-8348-8664-4. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Andreas Of-Allinger 2020 j317
  5. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz C 111.". https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/classic/history/c-111/. 
  6. ↑ "Porsche buys Nardo test track". 12 April 2012. http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/porsche-buys-nardo-test-track-italy-2012-04-12. 
  7. ↑ Reif, Konrad (2012-02-23) (in de). Klassische Diesel-Einspritzsysteme. Wiesbaden: Springer. p. 52. ISBN 978-3-8348-8664-4. 
  8. ↑ "Storia - Nardò Technical Center" (in it-IT). https://www.porscheengineering.com/nardo/it/thecompany/history/. "Con un motore biturbo V8 da 4,82 litri e una potenza di 373 kW (500 CV) a 6.200 giri/min, la Mercedes-Benz C111-IV raggiunge la velocità di 404 km/h. Con questa vettura l'ingegnere capo Hans Liebold percorse il "giro lanciato" sul circuito di Nardò in 1:57 min." 
  9. ↑ "1970 Mercedes-Benz C111-II - Jay Leno's Garage". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk4H1eV9JuY. 

Bibliography



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