Mercedes-Benz C111

The Mercedes-Benz C111 was a series of experimental automobiles produced by Mercedes-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.

Mercedes-Benz C111/II
Mercedes-Benz C111/II at the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz
Production1970 (16 cars produced)
AssemblyUntertürkheim
DesignerBruno Sacco
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door berlinetta
LayoutLongitudinal, Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
DoorsGullwing doors
Powertrain
Engine2.4 L Four-rotor Wankel engine
  • 392 N⋅m (289 lbf⋅ft) torque at 4000 - 5500 rpm
Power output257 kW (345 hp) at 7000 rpm
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
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 first version of the C111 was completed in 1969. 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 used a four-rotor engine producing 257 kW (350 hp). The car reportedly could reach a speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).[1]

The company decided not to adopt the Wankel engine and turned to diesel experiments for the second and third C111s. The C111-IID produced 140 kW (188 hp) and was based on the 240D W115 model OM616 engine. The C111-III was powered by a 170 kW (228 hp) at 4,500 rpm straight-five OM617 turbocharged diesel that broke nine diesel and gasoline speed records. With more aerodynamic bodywork that gave it an air drag coefficient of 0.191, the C111 eventually reached 322 km/h (200 mph) at the Nardò Ring in 1978, and averaged 16.0 liters/100 km at 316 km/h (14.7 mpg at 195.4 mph) over a 12-hour cruise. A later 373 kW (500 hp; 507 CV) 4.8 L twin KKK-turbocharged V8 version set another record, with an average lap-speed of 403.78 km/h (250.958 mph). This was achieved by Hans Liebold in 1 minute, 56.67 seconds on May 5, 1979.[2]

Total production was 16 cars: 13 first and second generation Wankel engined cars, 2 diesel engined third generation cars used in the Nardo record attempt, and a single V8 engined fourth generation car.[3]

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
  1. C111/II Technical Data at Mercedes-Benz.com
  2. "Storia - Nardò Technical Center". Home - Nardò Technical Center (in Italian). Retrieved 2019-07-06. 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.
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk4H1eV9JuY
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