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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.

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

Engine

C111 I: M 950 F (3-rotor Wankel, 3,600 cm³[1]

C111 II: M 950/4 (4-rotor Wankel, 4,800 cm³[1]

C111 II-D and III: OM 617 (5-cylinder Diesel, 3005 cm³[2])

C111 IV: M 117 (V8 Otto, 4500 cm³[3])

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)[4]

M 117: 368 kW (493 hp)[3]

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

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.[4] 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.[3] 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.

Brooklands

Mercedes-Benz World is a facility open to the public at the historic Brooklands motor racing circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, UK. It is owned and operated by the Mercedes-Benz Group[1] and opened in October 2006; 18 years ago. Since then over 3 million people have visited.

Mercedes-Benz World was the first track in the UK to provide the MSA's (Motor Sports Association) newly developed coaching course leading to a professional certificate in coaching motorsport - the highest coaching qualification currently available in motorsport in the UK aimed at professional race instructors and race teams.

Activities

Mercedes-Benz World visitors can book driving time on the tracks and technical facilities to fully experience the high performance AMG range and get to know how different parts of the car's technology interact to improve handling and safety. There are courses for learning advanced skills and trying out an AMG.[2] The driving facilities and courses include programmes adapted for every age and experience level. From somebody driving for the first time through to drivers with advanced race experience. Champions who have driven on the tracks at Mercedes-Benz World range from Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to John Surtees and Stirling Moss. As well as DTM champion Bernd Schneider, F1 champion Jenson Button and double F1 world champion Mika Häkkinen. There is a permanent team of professional advanced driving coaches on site with experience that spans every aspect of driving.

On 19 June 2011, a member of the permanent driving team at Mercedes-Benz World, Mauro Calo, broke the world drift record in the presence of adjudicators from Guinness World Records with a confirmed distance of 2308 metres in an unmodified Mercedes C63 AMG.

Since 2015, AMG Driving Academy, the German high performance division of Mercedes-Benz, has offered basic training on the tracks at Mercedes-Benz World - the only place in the world to offer this course flexibly on any day of the year and with one to one coaching as standard.

Anyone who is tall enough (1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in)) can drive a car at Mercedes-Benz World on parts of the original Brooklands Circuit[2] and there are courses to allow a beginner to progress right the way through from a first drive to be able to take one of the top of the range supercars out on the tracks.

Facilities include: two high performance handling tracks, simulated ice surfaces, skid pan, high speed braking, a 4x4 course and driving areas for beginners and young drivers.

Location

The location is close to Junctions 10 and 11 of the M25 and is midway between Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Entry to the Mercedes complex is free to the public.[3] The building is spread over three floors with over 100 cars on display including a historic 300SL Gullwing as well as the full range of current sports and performance models. There is also a cinema, restaurant, simulator studio, cafe, displays and exhibitions, event spaces and a shop. Children are welcomed and there are multiple activities available for all ages.

There is a regular bus service linking Mercedes-Benz World to Weybridge railway station and Woking railway station.[4]

The adjacent Brooklands Museum has a large collection of early motorcars, motorbikes and aeroplanes associated with Brooklands, including a Concorde, as well as a cafe, a restaurant and a kids' area. Also adjacent is London Bus Museum which displays some 35 historic London buses dating back to the 1870s. Wikipedia

950-幸福面膜 by April Lin