Stuttgart. Since 1886, Mercedes-Benz has reinvented the car time and again, and has thus also been accompanying social change: the history of the company is rich in events and stories. A brief note here: important anniversaries and milestones from the chronicle of the world’s oldest luxury car manufacturer.
April 1967– 55 years ago
Pullman feeling in the upper mid-range segment
- First Mercedes-Benz long saloon in the predecessor of the E-Class
- In demand as a large-capacity taxi and hotel limousine
- Today, the V-Class is perfect and popular for this use
There has never been so much space in the upper mid-range: in April 1967 Mercedes-Benz presented the 200 D (W 110) as a saloon with up to eight seats for the German market. Its wheelbase is extended by 650 millimetres to 3,350 millimetres compared to the normal saloon. This premiere, occurring shortly before the end of the production period of the “tail fin” saloons in 1968, comes on the heels of the great interest shown by taxi and travel companies. The vehicle with the spacious feel of a Pullman saloon had already been built for export. The space gained by the larger wheelbase is used entirely for the benefit of the passengers in the rear: either in the form of an additional split folding bench seat in front of the standard rear bench seat – or with particularly luxurious legroom in the rear. Customers also include airlines and consulates.
21 to 28 April 1982 – 40 years ago
A look into the future of alternative drives
- Mercedes-Benz 280 TE for a petrol-hydrogen mixture
- Presentation of the research vehicle at the Hanover Fair
- Today, the Mercedes-EQ brand goes electric
Will we be driving on hydrogen instead of petrol in future? Mercedes-Benz posed this question to the public 40 years ago at the Hanover Fair with a research vehicle based on the 280 TE of the 123 model series. The engine of the estate burns a variable mixture of hydrogen gas and petrol; the two energy sources are fuelled and stored separately: the liquid fuel comes in a classic 35-litre fuel tank, the hydrogen is carried by the vehicle in a low-temperature metal hydride storage unit consisting of two modules above the rear axle. A fleet trial in Berlin begins in 1984. In 1982, Mercedes-Benz also presented the first battery-electric research passenger car of the time in Hanover, also based on the 123 model-series estate with a 30 kW (41 hp) electric drive and nickel-iron battery.
25 April 1972 – 50 years ago
New six-cylinder engines for the top-of-the-range “Stroke Eight” models
- Engine M 110 in models 280, 280 E, 280 C and 280 CE
- Power, turning ability and sophistication
- The luxurious top models are sought-after classics of the brand
“Wolves in sheep’s clothing”: in 1972, the new top-of-the-range models in the upper mid-range from Mercedes-Benz were given this name in recognition of their sporty performance. The 280 and 280 E Saloons as well as the 280 C and 280 CE Coupés are distinguished by the use of the newly developed M 110 six-cylinder engine. It produces 132 kW (160 hp) in the carburettor version and 136 kW (185 hp) with electronically controlled petrol injection. Further details of the new six-cylinder models assigned to the 114 model series: reinforced gear pairs in the transmission, front brakes with larger discs and pistons, and six-inch wheels with 185 HR 14 tyres. The powerful and cultivated models perfectly round off the “Stroke Eight” family.
9 May 1937 – 85 years ago
Debut victory for new Mercedes-Benz W 125 in Tripoli
- The 750-kilogram W 125 formula racing car is only developed for the 1937 season
- Hermann Lang wins the first race for the Tripoli Grand Prix
- Basis for successful Mercedes-Benz record-breaking cars
Opening success under palm trees: Hermann Lang wins the Grand Prix of Tripoli (Libya) 85 years ago on 9 May 1937 with the 750-kilogram formula racing car Mercedes-Benz W 125. It is the first race of the racing car specially developed for this season by a team led by Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The 5.6-litre eight-cylinder engine with a compressor delivers a peak output of around 441 kW (600 hp). Further victories followed in the Grands Prix of Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Italy as well as in the Masaryk Grand Prix in Brno. Rudolf Caracciola becomes European champion for the third time with the W 125. Racing cars with streamlined bodies for the 1937 Avus race and record-breaking cars with twelve-cylinder engines are also derived from the W 125.
19 May 2002 – 20 years ago
DTM double victory in Donington
- Jean Alesi wins both rounds of the DTM race in Great Britain
- First victory of the 2002 season for AMG-Mercedes CLK-DTM
- 2002 DTM championship in brand and team classification for Mercedes-Benz
Triumph at the first guest appearance of the new DTM in Great Britain: on 19 May 2002, Jean Alesi wins both rounds of the DTM race at Donington Park Circuit near Birmingham in the AMG-Mercedes CLK-DTM. This is also the first DTM victory for the brand with the star in the season 20 years ago. The lines of the racing touring car with the 330 kW (449 hp) four-litre V8 engine are inspired by the Mercedes-Benz Coupé CLK (C 209), which celebrated its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Following the successful relaunch of the racing series for the 2000 season, Bernd Schneider became the German Touring Car Masters DTM champion in 2000, 2001 and 2003. In 2002, Schneider takes the runner-up spot in the drivers’ championship, with Jean Alesi coming in 5th. Mercedes-Benz wins the manufacturers’ championship and Team Vodafone AMG-Mercedes the team classification.
Birthdays
- 130 years ago – Christian Werner, born on 19 May 1892
Top Mercedes driver of the 1920s - 100 years ago – Werner Engel, born on 29 May 1922
European Touring Car Champion 1955 with Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198) and 220 (W 187) - 55 years ago – Heinz-Harald Frentzen, born on 18 May 1967
Member of the then junior team and Mercedes-Benz successes in Group C
