In the fall of 1973, a boycott of the oil-producing countries brought about the so-called oil crisis and crude oil, hitherto an inexpensive commodity, became a precious resource. Developers were requested to come up wîth new engines which, more than anything else, used the expensive fuel sparingly. The most obvious proposition was the low-consumption diesel engine but the compression-ignition unit was still thought to be sluggish and noisy. There had certainly been examples of either vice in automotive history but the diesel engine had long since been developed into a refined power unit, perfectly capable of driving sporty passenger cars.
In 1976, Mercedes-Benz decided to disprove the old prejudice and fit the new C111, now named C111-IID, with a diesel engine. The engine chosen was the OM 617 LA engine that delivered 80 HP and powered the Mercedes-Benz w114/w115 240D 3.0 and, with some modifications, the w123 300D.
Thanks to a Garret AiResearch turbocharger and an intercooler the three-liter, five cylinders, naturally-aspirated, compression-ignition engine, fitted in the C111-IID now developed 140 kW (188 HP/ 190 PS) at 4400 rpm and 373 Nm/275 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission with rear wheel drive and experimental Michelin tires on 15’ inch rims was helping the engine to put the power to the ground.
The total curb weight was 1320 kg / 2912 lbs and a slightly more slippery body with a drag coefficient cd = 0.336. The car accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 278 kmh (173 mph).
With this powerful diesel engine under the bonnet of a spectacularly styled gull-wing model, painted in bright orange, Mercedes-Benz was soon geared up for some record-breaking drives. In 12 June 1976, the C 111-IID reached spectacular speeds on the test track at Nardo near Lecce in Italy. In the course of 60 hours, four drivers established a total of 16 world records – thirteen of these applying to diesel-engined cars and three to cars in general, irrespective of their type of engine. During the tests, an average speed of 252 km/h (152 mph) was recorded, and Mercedes-Benz proved impressively that diesels also have sprinter qualities. Even more so when you consider it also averaged 19 liters / 100 km (11.9 mpg).
Those 3 world absolute records recorded by the C111-IID:
5.000 miles with an average speed of 252.540 km/h (156.921 mph)
10.000 kilometers with an average speed of 252.249 km/h (156.74 mph)
10.000 miles with an average speed of 251.798 km/h (156.46 mph).
8. The C111 design study was originally baptized , the C101 project. However, the “0 (zero)” in the middle had to disappear , since this number combination has long been protected by....
Nov 13 2013
1976 Mercedes-Benz C111-IID
In the fall of 1973, a boycott of the oil-producing countries brought about the so-called oil crisis and crude oil, hitherto an inexpensive commodity, became a precious resource. Developers were requested to come up wîth new engines which, more than anything else, used the expensive fuel sparingly. The most obvious proposition was the low-consumption diesel engine but the compression-ignition unit was still thought to be sluggish and noisy. There had certainly been examples of either vice in automotive history but the diesel engine had long since been developed into a refined power unit, perfectly capable of driving sporty passenger cars.
In 1976, Mercedes-Benz decided to disprove the old prejudice and fit the new C111, now named C111-IID, with a diesel engine. The engine chosen was the OM 617 LA engine that delivered 80 HP and powered the Mercedes-Benz w114/w115 240D 3.0 and, with some modifications, the w123 300D.
Thanks to a Garret AiResearch turbocharger and an intercooler the three-liter, five cylinders, naturally-aspirated, compression-ignition engine, fitted in the C111-IID now developed 140 kW (188 HP/ 190 PS) at 4400 rpm and 373 Nm/275 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission with rear wheel drive and experimental Michelin tires on 15’ inch rims was helping the engine to put the power to the ground.
The total curb weight was 1320 kg / 2912 lbs and a slightly more slippery body with a drag coefficient cd = 0.336. The car accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 278 kmh (173 mph).
With this powerful diesel engine under the bonnet of a spectacularly styled gull-wing model, painted in bright orange, Mercedes-Benz was soon geared up for some record-breaking drives. In 12 June 1976, the C 111-IID reached spectacular speeds on the test track at Nardo near Lecce in Italy. In the course of 60 hours, four drivers established a total of 16 world records – thirteen of these applying to diesel-engined cars and three to cars in general, irrespective of their type of engine. During the tests, an average speed of 252 km/h (152 mph) was recorded, and Mercedes-Benz proved impressively that diesels also have sprinter qualities. Even more so when you consider it also averaged 19 liters / 100 km (11.9 mpg).
Those 3 world absolute records recorded by the C111-IID:
5.000 miles with an average speed of 252.540 km/h (156.921 mph)
10.000 kilometers with an average speed of 252.249 km/h (156.74 mph)
10.000 miles with an average speed of 251.798 km/h (156.46 mph).
By PaRaDoX • C111, MB Research Vehicles 0 • Tags: c111, c111 1976, c111 IID, mercedes benz 1976