The History of Mercedes-Benz
The History of Mercedes-Benz
The Birth and the Evolution
Victor Yu-Tse Chien
Published in 2014 by HarperCollins US/CA: 1-888-998-1605 Designed by Victor Yu-Tse Chien Fonts Selection: Minion Pro & Myriad Pro All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in USA
Table of
Contents
Part I: The People Chapter 1: The Inventors
Part II: The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz Chapter 3: The Modern Motorcar
Carl Benz 10
The First Mercedes-Benz 30
Bertha Benz 15
The Development 36
MercÊdès Jellinek 19
The Models 40
Chapter 2: Advancing on Theory Gottlieb Daimler 22
Chapter 4: The Companies The Merger 74 The Class 80 Bibliography 94 Index 95
PART I
The People
My first customer was a lunatic. My second had a death wish. –Karl Benz
Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz’s creation of petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, financed by Bertha Benz and patented in January 1886, and Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach’s conversion of a stagecoach by the addition of a petrol engine later that year. The Mercedes-Benz automobile was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. Carl Benz,1844–1829
Carl Benz,1844–1829
CHAPTER 1
The Inventors
Accepted as the inventor of the motor car Karl
these ruts the front wheel of a three-wheeler
Benz first unveiled his Benz three-wheeler in
was running on uneven ground creating a
1885. The vehicle was powered by a water cool
bumpy ride and placing stress on the struc-
gas engine that was driven by the vapour of
ture of the vehicle itself. Benz had designed his
ligroin, or benzine. The rear wheels received
vehicle as a 3-wheeler to overcome problems
the power by a pulley and belt were attached
with steering. Despite those inventors like
to a transmission shaft whilst the cooling was
Gottlieb Daimler who worked on 4-wheeler
by water evaporation in a jacket round the
designs, Benz stuck to a 3-wheeled design for
cylinder. Despite inventors like Daimler who
years producing many vehicles but in the days
worked on four-wheeler designs, Karl Benz
before tarmac roads, many common place
stuck to a three-wheeled design for many
roads consisted of two rutted tracks left by
years producing many vehicles but in the days
horse drawn coaches.
before tarmac roads, place roads consisted of two rutted tracks left by horse drawn coaches. Whilst the four-wheeler would often run in
9
Carl Benz
education at Karlsruhe Polytechnic and then went to work for an engine
German inventor Carl Benz (1844-1929) is one of the many individuals
plant--he dreamed of creating a horseless carriage, and he wanted to
manufacturer. Benz had a very specific motive for working at the engine
given credit for the creation of the first automobile. In 1885 he invented the motorized tricycle, which became the first “horseless carriage” to be driven by an internal combustion engine. Benz’s contributions to automotive design also included the creation of such features as a carburetor and an electrical ignition system.
Carl Benz was a German engineer and inventor who was respon-
learn as much as he could about engines. After gathering what knowledge he could there, in 1871 he moved on to a position with a wagon and pump company in Mannheim, Germany, where he gained more valuable experience. By 1872, he was ready to open his own engine shop. Just before starting his business, he married Berta Ringer.
sible for many contributions to the design of modern automobiles. He
Founded Successful Engine Companies
developed an internal combustion gasoline engine for his 1885 version
Karl Benz was successful as a manufacturer, selling many engines and
of the “horseless carriage,” which was initially a three-wheeled vehicle.
winning the confidence of investors. With the financial backing of oth-
Other innovations by Benz included a simple carburetor, an electrical
ers, he founded the Mannheim Engine Manufacturing Company, which
ignition system, rack-and-pinion steering, and water cooling. For his
he intended to use in part to develop horseless carriage. Even though the
development of the 1885 motorized tricycle, Benz is given credit by
venture made a profit, Benz’s investors did not want him to spend many
some for creating the first automobile, while others contend that the
valuable resources on inventions. Karl Benz fought their decision and,
three-wheel design did not constitute a true modern car. Regardless of
after being in business for only three months, left the company. He lined
his right to the title of inventor of the automobile, Benz did leave his
up new shareholders and founded a third business, Benz and Compa-
mark on the auto industry by pioneering one of the first marketable
ny, in 1883. The company was to sell stationary gas engines, however,
motorized vehicles and founding the automobile company that came to
new investors were also willing to support Benz’s horseless carriage as
be known as Mercedes-Benz.
long as it did not detract from the production of the primary product.
Benz was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, on November 25, 1844.
After two decades of planning his horseless carriage, Benz had
His father was a railroad engineer who died of pneumonia when his
the resources to make it a reality. In 1885, he debuted his automobile,
son was two years old. The income that Benz’s mother received after
a motorized tricycle that was revolutionary primarily for its use of a
the death of her husband was small, and Benz was called upon to help
gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. Earlier in the century,
support the family as soon as he was old enough. Even as a boy, Benz
self-propelled vehicles had been developed with steam engines, but the
was fascinated with technology, and he was able to use his talents in this
internal combustion engine marked an important breakthrough for
area to make extra money.
automobiles. It provided a lighter, more compact, and more efficient
Benz’s facility for technical matters was also displayed in school,
means of powering a vehicle. It was the adoption of the internal com-
where he worked as an assistant for a physics teacher. He continued his
bustion engine that made Karl Benz’s car a truly practical and appealing
10
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Carl Benz portraits
consumer product. For this reason, many consider Benz’s 1885 motor-
did not feel that a car needed to physically resemble the traditional four-
ized tricycle the first automobile.
wheeled carriage. After the model of 1890, he was even more opposed to changes in his design. His opinions were so strong that after a major update of the Benz automobile in 1905, the manufacturer continued to
Horseless Carriage Demonstrated in 1885 Another important feature of Benz’s vehicle was an electrical ignition system that used a battery to start the engine. This system became the
drive his older models of the car.
basic model for all later ignitions. The tricycle also incorporated a car-
Encountered Competition from Daimler Cars
buretor, rack-and-pinion steering, a water cooling system, and rear
One major challenger of Benz’s claim to be the inventor of the auto-
springs. Benz held a public demonstration in the fall of 1885 to promote
mobile was a fellow German, Gottlieb Daimler. Daimler had created a
his invention, although he claimed to have first driven it the previous
better internal combustion engine and patented it five months before
spring. On the road near his workshop, Benz and his wife began a ride
Benz’s engine. The first vehicle in which he demonstrated his, however,
on the automobile in front of a gathering of witnesses. After apparently
was a bicycle, resulting in the first motorcycle. Those supporting Benz
forgetting to steer the tricycle, however, Benz quickly ran into a brick
argued that the two-wheeled vehicle resembled the modern automobile
wall. Both passengers emerged from this early auto accident without
less than the Benz tricycle. Regardless, Daimler also went on to become
injuries. The mishap did not dampen enthusiasm for Benz’s creation--a
a successful producer of four-wheeled automobiles and became one of
positive review of the vehicle appeared the following summer in the
Benz’s strongest competitors in both French and German markets. To
publication Neue Badische Landeszeitung.
try to gain a greater share of the French market, Daimler gave his car a
Benz continued to improve his design with the introduction of
French-sounding name Mercedes at the suggestion of a business part-
a second gear, a larger, 3-horsepower engine, and improved brakes and
ner. Despite their professional interest in each other, Benz and Daimler
springs. The first sale of a Benz automobile occurred in 1887, after it had
never met.
been displayed at the Paris Exhibition earlier in the year. At the Munich
Imperial Exhibition in 1888, Benz was awarded a gold medal for his
died in 1900. Both it and the Benz company suffered a downturn during
invention. This recognition brought in many orders for the automobile,
the economic depression after World War I. To strengthen their chanc-
which at that time was a novelty that was only affordable by the wealthy.
es of survival, the companies merged to form Mercedes-Benz in 1926.
Still, business was so good that the Benz Company grew to 50 workers
By that time, Benz was no longer closely involved with the operation
by 1889 and soon moved to a larger factory where a new four-wheeled
of the business, although he continued to receive recognition for his
model began production in 1890.
accomplishments as an automotive pioneer. His cars were collected by
Benz had given into the idea of a four-wheeled automobile re-
museums, and he was honored with a special procession of automobiles
luctantly and only after much lobbying by others in his company who
from the city of Heidelberg to his home in Ladenburg in 1929. On that
sought a more modern design. Unlike other automobile inventors, Benz
occasion, a number of prominent people made speeches in his honor
12
The Daimler company continued to do business after its founder
The History of Mercedes-Benz
and proclaimed him the inventor of the automobile. Two days later,
successful product for the general public, Benz is remembered for his
on April 4, 1929, Benz died at his home in Ladenburg. Although later
inventive genius and his groundbreaking work to create and market the
automotive innovators such as Henry Ford turned the car into a more
first commercial automobile.
The People
13
Bertha Ringer, c. 1871, as she became Karl Benz’s business partner
Bertha Benz
trip were merely very short trial drives, returning to the point of origin,
Bertha Benz (May 3, 1849–May 5,1944) was the wife also business part-
distance of about 106 km (66 mi).
made with mechanical assistants. This pioneering tour had a one-way
ner of automobile inventor Karl Benz. In 1888 she was the first person
to drive an automobile over a long distance. In doing so she brought the
mother, Bertha Benz had other motives: to prove her to husband—who
Benz Patent-Motorwagen worldwide attention and got the company its
had failed to consider marketing his invention—that the automobile
first sales. Bertha Ringer was born in 1849 in Pforzheim, Germany. In
they both heavily invested in would become a financial success once it
1871, she invested in the workshop of her fiancé, Karl Benz, enabling
was shown to be useful to the general public; and to give her husband
him to develop the first patented automobile. As an unmarried woman
the confidence that his constructions had a future. Karl and Bertha Benz
she was able to do so; after she married Benz, according to the law in
c. 1914 - Zenodot Verlagsges. mbH. On the way, she solved numerous
those days, Bertha lost her juridical power to act. In1872, Bertha Ringer
problems. She had to find ligroin as a fuel; this was available only at
married Karl Benz. Together they had five children: Eugen (1873), Rich-
apothecary shops, so she stopped in Wiesloch at the city pharmacy to
ard (1874), Clara (1877), Thilde (1882), and Ellen (1890).
purchase the fuel. A blacksmith had to help mend a chain at one point.
The brakes needed to be repaired and, in doing so, Bertha Benz invented
As Google’s doodle reminded me, today is International Women’s
Although the ostensible purpose of the trip was to visit her
Day. It’s kind of alarming how much I rely on something called a “Goo-
brake lining.
gle Doodle” to know what’s going on. Therefore, I’d like to talk about one
woman who’s been a hero of mine for many years: Bertha Benz, the first
made important suggestions, Along the way, several people were fright-
person to take a real road trip in a private, petroleum-powered car.
ened by the automobile and the novel trip received a deal of publicity, as
But that didn’t stop Mrs.Benz. As you may have guessed by the
she had sought. The drive was a key event in the technical development
name, Bertha was married to Karl Benz, the engineer who developed
of the automobile. The pioneering couple introduced several improve-
his Patent Motorwagen in 1886, which many people feel to be the most
ments after Bertha’s experiences. Bertha reported everything that had
direct ancestor of modern gasoline cars. Bertha was very involved in the
happened along the way and made important suggestions.
She reported everything that had happened along the way and
whole process, and had a keen engineering mind as well.
Later Life
First Cross-Country Automobile Journey
In 1944, on her 95th birthday, Bertha Benz was honoured with the ti-
On 5 August 1888, without telling her husband and without permission
tle Honourable Senator, by the Technical University of Karlsruhe. Ber-
of the authorities, Benz drove with her sons Richard and Eugen, thirteen
tha reported everything that had happened along the way and made
and fifteen years old, in one of the newly constructed automobiles—
important suggestions. This is her husband’s alma mater and they had
from Mannheim to Pforzheim—becoming the first person to drive an
awarded an honorary doctorate degree to him in his lifetime. Two days
automobile over a real distance. Motorized drives before this historic
later, Bertha Benz died in her villa in Ladenburg, where the workshop
The People
15
of Karl Benz had been built after they had moved there in 1906 and he established a solely family-held business, Benz and Sons.
Honors In 2008, the Bertha Benz Memorial Route was officially approved as a route of the industrial heritage of mankind, because it follows Bertha Benz’s path during the world’s first long-distance journey by automobile in 1888. Now it is possible to follow the 194 km of signs indicating her route from Mannheim through Heidelberg to Pforzheim (Black Forest) and back.
The Bertha Benz Challenge, embedded in the framework of the
ceremony of Automobile Summer 2011, the big official German event and birthday party commemorating the invention of the automobile by Karl Benz 125 years ago, will take place on Bertha Benz Memorial Route on 10 and 11 September 2011. It will be a globally visible signal for a new automobile breakthrough, as it will only be open for sustainable mobility: future-oriented vehicles with alternative drive systems–hybrid and electric, hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles–and other extremely economical vehicles. The motto is: Bertha Benz Challenge–Sustainable Mobility on the World’s Oldest Automobile Road.
On 25 January 2011 Deutsche Welle broadcast world wide in its
series, Made in Germany, a Television documentary on the invention of the automobile by Karl Benz, highlighting the very important role of his wife, Bertha Benz. The report is not only on the history of the automobile, but takes a look at its future as well, shown by the Bertha Benz Challenge on 10 and 11 September 2011. The documentary The Car is Born produced by Ulli Kampelmann centered around the first road trip by Bertha Benz. In 2011, a television movie about the life of Karl and Bertha Benz was made named Karl & Bertha which premiered on 11 May and was aired by Das Erste on 23 May.
16
The dauntless trip made the trip in a single day, officially making Bertha and the boys the first bicyclists in history
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Bertha Ringer at age 18
Mercédès Jellinek
Mercédès Jellinek
her name, and her father entered Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft cars
Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach and Carl Benz are among those
Owing to an unparalleled series of successes, the name “Mercédès”
in races under the pseudonym “Mercédès”–especially the Nice Week.
who have granted their names to the house of The Three-Pointed Star. The name the world knows best, Mercedes, is also an eponym but its owner has lived in a more obscure corner of lore. The personal effects of Hans-Peter Schlosser include photos of his mother, one Mercedes
soon became widely known. When Jellinek and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft signed an agreement on the sale of cars and engines in April 1900, Merce des (without the accent and grave) was made the product designation for Daimler vehicles.
Adrienne Ramona Manuela Jellinek, the woman whose name continues to launch a thousand ‘ships’ about every seven hours. Schlosser was Mercedes’ son, and his keepsakes have wound their way to the Mercedes-Benz archives, which had been missing an informative record of the woman herself.
Mercedes was the daughter of German businessman and gentle-
man racer Emil Jellinek. One of his ventures was selling cars, and when he discovered Daimler and Maybach’s car, the Phoenix, he worked up a brisk business and an even larger fortune selling them. Details on how the DMG Phoenix became a Mercedes are hazy, but Jellinek’s inclination to name things after his daughter would eventually work its way around to the cars he sold, raced and drove.
In fact, Emil so enjoyed the Mercedes name and good fortune he
believed it brought that the entire family clan name was changed to Jellinek-Mercedes when Mercedes was 13. Yet a name wasn’t the only contribution Jellinek made, pressing Daimler and Maybach to build racing cars even before the turn of the 20th century, saying, “Victories make you world-famous. People buy the winning brand, and always will. It would be commercial suicide to stay away from racing.” Scroll down to read more on his contribution to the brand and the world of motoring. Mercédès Jellinek is the namesake of one of the most famous, most well-known brand names of the world: Mercedes. She was born on 16 September 1889 as third child of businessman Emil Jellinek. Borrowing
Mercédès Jellinek
The People
19
Gottlieb Daimler
CHAPTER 2
Advancing on Theory
Wilhelm Maybach was an early German
Maybach left DMG in 1907 to found May-
engine designer and industrialist. During
bach Motorenbau ogether with his son Karl
the 1890s he was hailed in France, then the
in 1909; they manufactured Zeppelin engines.
world centre for car production, as the “King
After the signing of the Versailles Treaty in
of constructors.” From the late 19th century
1919 the company started producing large
Wilhelm Maybach, together with Gottlieb
luxury vehicles, branded as “Maybach.” From
Daimler, developed light, high-speed internal
the late 19th century Maybach, together with
combustion engines suitable for land, water,
Gottlieb Daimler, high-speed internal com-
and air use. These were fitted to the world’s
bustion engines suitable for land, water, and
first motorcycle, motorboat, and after Daim-
air use. These were fitted to the world’s first
ler’s death, to a new automobile introduced
motorcycle, motorboat, and after Daimler’s
in late 1902, the Mercedes model, built to the
death, to a new automobile introduced in late
specifications of Emil Jellinek. Maybach rose
1902, the Mercedes model, built to the specifi-
to become technical director of the Daimler
cations of Emil Jellinek.
Motoren Gesellschaft, or DMG, but he did Wilhelm Maybach
not get on well with its chairmen. As a result
21
Gottlieb Daimler
carbine maker, Raithel. He graduated in 1852, passing the craft test with
Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler (March 17, 1834 – March 6, 1900) was an en-
Daimler decided to take up mechanical engineering, abandoning gun-
gineer, industrial designer and industrialist born in Schorndorf (King-
smithing, and left his hometown.
dom of Württemberg, a federal state of the German Confederation), in
Signing up at Stuttgart’s School for Advanced Training in the Industrial
what is now Germany. He was a pioneer of internal-combustion engines
Arts, under the tutelage of Ferdinand Steinbeis. Daimler was studious,
and automobile development. Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler invented the
even taking extra Sunday morning classes.
high-speed petrol engine.
a pair of engraved double-barreled pistols. The same year, at eighteen,
In 1853, Daimler, with Steinbeis’ assistance, got work at “the fac-
Daimler and his lifelong business partner Wilhelm Maybach
tory college.” F. Rollé und Schwilque(R&S) in Grafenstaden, so-called
were two inventors whose goal was to create small, high-speed engines
because its manager, Friedrich Messmer, had been an instructor at Karl-
to be mounted in any kind of locomotion device. In 1885 they designed
sruhe Institute of Technology. Daimler performed well, and when Rollé
a precursor of the modern petrol (gasoline) engine which they subse-
und Schwilque began making railway locomotives in 1856, Daimler,
quently fitted to a two-wheeler, the first internal combustion motorcy-
then 22, was named foreman.
cle and, in the next year, to a stagecoach, and a boat. Daimler called it
the grandfather clock engine (Standuhr) because of its resemblance to a
technic Institute to hone his skills, gaining in-depth grasp of steam lo-
large pendulum clock.
comotives, as well as “a profound conviction” steam was destined to be
superseded. He conceived small, cheap, engines for light industrial use,
In 1890, they founded Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG, in
Instead of staying, Daimler took two years at Stuttgart’s Poly-
English—Daimler Motors Corporation). They sold their first automo-
possibly inspired by the newly developed gas engines of that era.
bile in 1892. Daimler fell ill and took a break from the business. Upon
his return he experienced difficulty with the other stockholders that led
England, working with the country’s top engineering firms, becoming
to his resignation in 1893. This was reversed in 1894. Maybach resigned
knowledgeable with machine tools. He spent from autumn 1861 to
at the same time, and also returned. In 1900 Daimler died and Wilhelm Maybach quit DMG in 1907.
In 1861, he resigned from R&S, visiting Paris, then went on to
summer 1863 in England, then regarded as “the motherland of technology”, at Beyer, Peacock and Company of Gorton, Manchester. Beyer was from Saxony. While in London, he visited the 1862 International Exhi-
Early Life: 1834–1852
bition, where one of the exhibits was a steam carriage. These carriages
Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler was the son of a baker named Johannes
did not evidently inspire him, however, for his wish was to produce ma-
Däumler (Daimler) and his wife Frederika, from the town of Schorn-
chine tools and woodworking machinery.
dorf near Stuttgart, Württemberg. By the age of 13 (1847), he had com-
pleted six years of primary studies in Lateinschule and became inter-
lingen an der Steige, where he designed tools, mills, and turbines. In
ested in engineering. The next year, he began an apprenticeship with a
1863, he joined the Bruderhaus Reutlingen, a Christian Socialist tool-
22
Daimler went to work for Maschinenfabrik Daniel Straub, Geis-
The History of Mercedes-Benz
maker, as inspector and later executive. While there, he met Maybach,
vertical cylinder of 100 cc displacement and an output of 1 hp at 600
then a 15-year-old orphan. Thanks to Daimler’s organizational skills,
rpm. It was baptized the Standuhr (“grandfather clock”), because he
the factory managed to show a profit, but he quit in frustration in 1869.
thought it resembled an old pendulum clock.
In 1872 Otto und Langen reorganized as Gasmotoren-Fabrik
In November 1885, Daimler installed a smaller version of this
Deutz, management picked Daimler as factory manager, bypassing even
engine in a wooden two wheeler frame with 2 outrigger wheels, creating
Otto, and Daimler joined the company in August, taking Maybach with
the first internal combustion motorcycle. It was named the Reitwagen
him as chief designer.
(riding car). Maybach rode it for three kilometers (two miles) alongside
the river Neckar, from Cannstatt to Untertürkheim, reaching 12 kilo-
While Daimler managed to improve production, the weakness
in the Otto’s vertical piston design, coupled to Daimler’s stubborn insis-
metres per hour (7 mph).
tence on atmospheric engines, led the company to an impasse
Neither Otto nor Daimler would give way, and when Daimler was
integral design for a motorized vehicle with one of his own engines. He
offered the choice of founding a Deutz branch in St. Petersburg or
was granted a patent for his motorwagen on January 29, 1886.
resigning, he resigned to set up shop in Cannstatt (financed by sav-
ings and shares in Deutz), where he was shortly joined by Maybach.
Also in 1885, but unknown to Maybach and Daimler, only 60
miles away in Mannheim, Benz built the first true automobile using an
On March 8, 1886, Daimler and Maybach secretly brought a
stagecoach made by Wilhelm Wafter into the house, telling the neigh-
At Cannstatt, Daimler and the more creative thinking Maybach
bors it was a birthday gift for Mrs. Daimler. Maybach supervised the
devised their engine. At Daimler’s insistence, it eliminated “the clumsy,
installation of a larger 1.1 hp 462 cc (28 cu in) (70×120 mm, 2.76×4.72
complicated slide-valve ignition”, in favor of a hot tube system invented
in) version of the Grandfather Clock engine into this stagecoach and it
by Leo Funk, since Daimler distrusted electricity. It took considerable
became the first four-wheeled vehicle to reach 16 kilometres per hour
effort an experimentation, but eventually, the duo perfected a 0.5 hp
(10 mph). The engine power was transmitted by a set of belts.
(0.37 kW; 0.51 PS) vertical single, which was fitted in the Reitwagen, a purpose-built two-wheeler chassis with two spring-loaded stabilizers. When this proved the engine capable of driving a vehicle, Daimler devised a 1.1 hp (0.82 kW; 1.1 PS) single and ordered a Wimpff und Soehne four-seater phaeton to house it.
First Daimler-Maybach Automobile Built (1889) Engine sales increased, mostly for use in boats, and in 1887, Daimler bought another property at Seelberg hill, Cannstatt. It was located some distance from the town on Ludwigstraße 67 because Cannstatt’s mayor did not approve of the workshop. Built at a cost 30,200 goldmarks, the
The Grandfather Clock Engine (1885)
new premises had room for 23 employees. Daimler managed the com-
In 1885, they created a carburetor which mixed gasoline with air allow-
mercial issues while Maybach ran the engine department.
ing its use as fuel. In the same year Daimler and Maybach assembled a
larger version of their engine, still relatively compact, but now with a
first automobile that did not involve adapting a horse-drawn carriage
The People
In 1889, Daimler and Maybach built the Stahlradwagen, their
23
with their engine, but which was somewhat influenced by bicycle de-
of 1892. He used its ballroom and winter garden as workshops, employ-
signs. There was no production in Germany, but it was licensed to be
ing twelve workers and five apprentices.
built in France and presented to the public in Paris in October 1889 by
both engineers. The same year, Daimler’s wife, Emma Kunz, died.
for which Maybach invented a spray carburettor, a needless innovation
The new company developed the high-speed inline-two Phönix,
given it still relied on hot tube ignition. This was fitted in a singularly ugly car, which entered production (after a cessation of hostilities be-
The Phönix Engine (1890–1900) With demand for engines growing, for uses in everything from motorboats to railcars, Maybach and Daimler expanded. With funding from
tween Daimler, Maybach, and the DMG board), in 1895.
gunpowder maker Max Duttenhofer, industrialist Wilhelm Lorenz, and
First Automobile Sold (1892)
banker Kilian von Steiner, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft was founded
In 1892, DMG finally sold its first automobile. Gottlieb Daimler,
28 November 1890, with Maybach as chief designer. Its purpose was the
aged 58, had heart problems and suffered a collapse in the winter of
construction of small, high-speed engines for use on land, water, and
1892–1893. His doctor prescribed a trip to Florence, where he met Lina
air transport. The three uses were expressed by Daimler in a sketch that
Hartmann, a widow 22 years his junior who was the owner of the hotel
became the basis for a logo with a three-pointed star.
where he was staying. They married on July 8, 1893, honeymooning in
Chicago during its World Fair.
Many German historians consider this Daimler’s “pact with the
devil.” DMG expanded, but it changed. The newcomers, not believing
The disputes with Lorenz continued. Daimler attempted to buy
in automobile production, ordered the creation of additional stationary
102 extra shares to get a majority holding, but was forced out of his
building capacity, and considered merging DMG with Otto’s Deutz-AG.
post as technical director. The corporation was 400,000 goldmarks in
Daimler and Maybach preferred plans to produce automobiles and re-
debt. The other directors threatened to declare bankruptcy if Daimler
acted against Duttenhofer and Lorenz. Maybach was denied a seat on
didn’t sell them all his shares and all his personal patent rights from
the board and on February 11, 1891, he left the business. He continued
the previous thirty years. Daimler accepted the offer, receiving 66,666
his design work as a freelance in Cannstatt from his own house, with
goldmarks, and resigned in 1893.
Daimler’s support, moving to the closed Hermann Hotel in the autumn
24
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Gottlieb Daimler, The phoenix car
PART II
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
The best or nothing at all. –Karl Benz
Mercedes-Benz, through the years has gone through several evolution phases over the years. Its wonderful to see the grandfather models of what is now the most celebrated sedans in the world. The name first appeared in 1926 under Daimler-Benz but traces its origins to Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft’s 1901 Mercedes and to Karl Benz’s 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, which is regarded as the first automobile. Mercedes-Benz’s slogan is “Das Beste oder nichts.”
Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first Mercedes-Benz in the world, 1886
CHAPTER 3
The Modern Motorcar
The first stationary gasoline engine developed
was 0.75 hp (0.55 kW). Details included an
by Carl Benz was a one-cylinder two-stroke
automatic intake slide, a controlled exhaust
unit which ran for the first time on New Year’s
valve, high-voltage electrical vibrator ignition
Eve 1879. Benz had so much commercial
with spark plug, and water/thermo siphon
success with this engine that he was able to
evaporation cooling.
devote more time to his dream of creating a
lightweight car powered by a gasoline engine,
for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas
in which the chassis and engine formed a sin-
engine.” The patent–number 37435–may be
gle unit. The major features of the two-seater
regarded as the birth certificate of the auto-
vehicle, which was completed in 1885, were
mobile. In July 1886 the newspapers reported
the compact high-speed single-cylinder four-
on the first public outing of the three-wheeled
stroke engine installed horizontally at the rear,
Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1.
On January 29, 1886, Benz applied
the tubular steel frame, the differential and three wire-spoked wheels. The engine output
29
The First Mercedes-Benz
The world’s first car had just one speed on the countershaft in
the form of a fixed drive disc with integrated differential and adjacent idler disc; no transmission therefore with two or more speeds and no
Benz Patent Motor Car (1886)
reverse gear. Thanks to the idler disc, the flat belt linking the engine and
The Benz Patent Motor Car is regarded as the world’s first automobile. It
the countershaft simultaneously served as a clutch. To slip the vehicle
completed its maiden journey in public on Mannheim’s Ringstraße on
into gear in preparation for moving off, the belt was simply shifted from
3 July 1886. The event represented for designer Carl Benz the fulfilment
the idler disc to the fixed drive disc. Driving speed was regulated by
of his dream to build a motorised road-going vehicle. His design, which
means of the sleeve valve located beneath the driver’s seat. The reservoir
included chassis and engine, was a fundamentally new innovation. Just
for cooling water was located above the engine. The vehicle was braked
a few weeks later, a second automotive pioneer, Daimler, installed an
using a hand lever that acted on the countershaft belt disc. The foot
internal combustion engine in a carriage and in so doing marked the
brake had not yet been invented. The leather-upholstered seat bench
beginning of his dream to motorise all vehicles and appliances with his
was attached directly to the frame and mounted on elegantly contoured
high-speed engine.
springs. A low, leather-bound rail at the back and sides also provided
additional support.
The vehicle frame of the Benz Patent Motor Car was shaped and
welded together from tubular steel. The conventional drawbar steering
system used with carriages was not an option since this was a rear-wheel
engine with a displacement of 0.954 litres. The unit developed a peak
drive vehicle. So for the sake of simplicity, Benz initially opted for a
output of 0.55 kW at 400/min. Preparation of the fuel-air mixture was
single steered front wheel, thus creating a three-wheeled vehicle. The
handled by the surface or evaporative carburettor, which also doubled
front wheel was mounted in an unsprung fork and was turned using a
as a 4.5 litre fuel reservoir. The vehicle required around 10 litres of petrol
lever attached to a toothed rack. Not until several years later, in 1893,
for every 100 kilometres travelled. The fact that fuel capacity was inad-
did Benz invent axle-pivot steering for two steered front wheels, one of
equate for longer distances was not initially a major concern. First and
the most significant milestones in automotive design.
foremost, the purpose of the Benz Patent Motor Car was to demonstrate
that the overall design was fit for purpose. The engine was started with
Benz produced the three wire spoke wheels with solid rubber
Patent Motor Car was powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke
tyres himself, buying in only the rims. As was typical of bicycle designs
a hearty swing of the flywheel.
of the day, the front wheel was mounted on a ball bearing, the rear
wheels in white alloy bushings. The car was driven at the rear wheels
at the factory premises in 1885. The first outing on the open road was
by two chains to the right and left of the throughdrive countershaft; the
staged at night and lasted only a few minutes, since the car came to a
rear wheels were attached to the frame via a rigid axle and fully elliptic
standstill after a hundred metres. But before long, one hundred metres
springs. Not only was the bicycle considered state-of-the-art, it also gave
turned into one thousand, and with each test the distance got bigger. In
Benz inspiration for a vehicle that was both stable and lightweight.
his memoirs Benz recalled: “I probably reached a speed of 16 kilometres
30
For reasons of secrecy, preliminary short test drives were held
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Benz patent motor car, 1886
per hour with the car. My confidence grew with each outing, but on each occasion I also grew to recognise new things about the engine; on the other hand, every journey showed me new improvement possibilities, so that by January 1886 I was ready to apply for a patent for the car.”
Karl Benz applied for a patent for his Motor Car on 29 January
1886. The German Patent No. 37435 is considered the birth certificate of the automobile. The Benz Patent Motor Car No. I model demonstrated that he’s idea was viable. Benz used this experience to build a number of other models in quick succession; although these did not differ fundamentally from the original, they featured minor improvements.
The No. II model, the engine of which developed 1.1 kW, was
also designed originally as a three-wheeler and subsequently converted experimentally to a four-wheeled vehicle. This car, which also featured a prototype axle pivot steering system, represented a further step to the modern car. It is thought only one example was ever built. The No. III model was improved sufficiently to be sold in small numbers – around 25 units in total. Depending on the variant, each was equipped with an engine with an output of up to 2.21 kW. In addition, the No. III
Carl Benz’s single-cylinder engine
model featured wooden spoke wheels, a small petrol reservoir and a leather-clad, hand-operated block brake that acted directly on the rear wheels. There were also two forward gears, achieved by means of an idler disc and a two-stage fixed drive disc.
32
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Benz Patent Motor Car Technical Specifications
Brakes—
Engine—
• no footbrake
• water-cooled
• hand brake acting on countershaft belt disc
• single-cylinder
• four-stroke
Wheels—
• mounted at the rear
• three wire spoke wheels
• diameter front 730 mm
Displacement—
• diameter rear 1125 mm
• solid rubber tyres
• 954cc
Power—
Wheelbase—
• 0.55 kW at 400/min
• 1450 mm
Fuel consumption—
Track width—
• approx. 10 litres per 100 kilometres
• 1190 mm
Transmission—
Length—
• 1 speed
• shifting the drive belt from the idler disc to the fixed drive disc
• 2700 mm
Width—
Maximum speed—
• 1400 mm
• 16 km/h Height—
Chassis—
• 1450 mm
• tubular steel frame Kerb weight—
Suspension—
• front wheel suspension on unsprung steering fork
• real wheel suspension on rigid axle with fully-elliptic springs
• 265 kg
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
33
The Development
Ringer married. They had five children: Eugen (1873), Richard (1874),
Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on November 25,
Clara (1877), Thilde (1882), and Ellen (1890).
1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a driver, Johann George Benz, whom she married a few months later. According to German law, the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage of his parents Benz and Vaillant. When he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and was a prodigious student. In 1853, at the age of nine Karl Benz started at the scientifically oriented Lyceum. Karl Benz
Despite the business misfortunes, Benz led in the development
of new engines in the early factory he and his wife owned. To get more revenues, in 1878 he began to work on new patents. First of all, Benz concentrated all his efforts on creating a reliable petrol two-stroke engine. Benz finished his two-stroke engine on December 31, 1878, New Year’s Eve, and was granted a patent for it in 1879. Karl Benz showed his real genius, however, through his successive inventions registered while designing what would become the production standard for his two-stroke engine. Benz soon patented the speed regulation system, the ignition using sparks with battery, the spark plug, the carburetor, the gear shift, and the water radiator.
studied at the Poly-Technical University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher.
Benz’s Gasmotoren-Fabrik Mannheim (1882–1883)
Benz had originally focused his studies on locksmithing, but
Problems arose again when the banks at Mannheim demanded that
eventually followed his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering.
Bertha and Karl Benz’s enterprise be incorporated due to the high pro-
On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for
duction costs it maintained. The Benzes were forced to improvise an
mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subse-
association with photographer Emil Bühler and his brother, in order
quently attended. Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
to get additional bank support. The company became the joint-stock company Gasmotoren Fabrik Mannheim in 1882. After all the neces-
Benz’s First Factory and Early Inventions (1871–1882)
sary incorporation agreements, Benz was unhappy because he was left
In 1871, at the age of twenty-seven, Karl Benz joined August Ritter in
with merely five percent of the shares and a modest position as director.
launching the Iron Foundry and Mechanical Workshop in Mannheim,
Benz was unhappy because he was left with merely five percent of the
later renamed Factory for Machines for Sheet-metal Working. The enterprise’s first year went very badly. Ritter turned out to be unreliable,
shares and a modest position as director.
and the business’s tools were impounded. The difficulty was overcome
Benz & Cie. and the Benz Patent Motorwagen
when Benz’s fiancée, Bertha Ringer, bought out Ritter’s share in the
Benz’s lifelong hobby brought him to a bicycle repair shop owned by Max
company using her dowry. On July 20, 1872, Karl Benz and Bertha
Rose and Friedrich Wilhelm Eßlinger. To get more revenues, in 1878 he
36
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Celebration, 1939
began to work on new patents. First, Karl Benz concentrated all his ef-
Blitzen Benz
forts on creating a reliable petrol two-stroke engine. Quickly growing to
In 1909, the Blitzen Benz was built in Mannheim by Benz & Cie. The
twenty-five employees, it soon began to produce static gas engines as well.
bird-beaked vehicle had a 21.5-liter (1312ci), 150 kW (200 hp) engine,
and on November 9, 1909 in the hands of Victor Hémery of France.
The success of the company gave Benz the opportunity to in-
dulge in his old passion of designing a horseless carriage. Based on his experience with, and fondness for, he used similar technology when he created an automobile. It featured wire wheels with a four-stroke engine of his own design between the rear wheels, with a very advanced coil
Competition Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on November 25, 1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part
ignition and evaporative cooling rather than a radiator.Power was trans-
of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and driver, Johann George
mitted by means of two roller chains to the rear axle. Karl Benz finished
Benz, whom she married a few months later. According to German law,
his creation in 1885 and named it the Benz Patent Motorwagen.
the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage of his parents
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
37
Benz and Vaillant. When he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and was a prodigious student. In 1853, at the age of nine he started at the scientifically oriented Lyceum. Next he studied at the Poly-Technical University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher.
Benz had originally focused his studies on locksmithing, but
eventually followed his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering. On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
During these years, while riding his bicycle, he started to envi-
sion concepts for a vehicle that would eventually become the horseless carriage. Following his formal education, Benz had seven years of professional training in several companies, but did not fit well in any of them. The training started in Karlsruhe with two years of varied jobs in a mechanical engineering company.
Mercedes-Benz W125, 1939
38
39
Mercedes-Benz Velo, 1894
The Models Karl Benz patented the three-wheeled Patent Motorwagen on January 29, 1886 and produced it as the first commercially available automobile from 1886 through 1893. He followed this initial success with the introduction of the Benz Velo model of 1894. The Velo and the Duryea Motor Wagon, patented in 1895, are credited as the first standardized cars. 67 Benz Velos were built in 1894 and 134 in 1895. The early Velo had a 1L 3.5 hp engine and later a 3.5 hp engine giving a top speed of 13 mph (19 km/h).
(149.1 kW) inline four engine enlarged from the company’s Grand Prix
The Velo also inspired numerous copies, including Marshall in
racer. The car was modified to improve its aerodynamics. At Brooklands
Manchester, Star (Wolverhampton), and Arnold (Paddock Wood, of
on November 9, 1909, land speed racer Victor Hémery of France set a
which only twelve were built).
record with an average speed of 202.7 kilometres per hour (126.0 mph) over a kilometer. On April 23, 1911, Bob Burman recorded an average of 228.1 kilometres per hour (141.7 mph) over a full mile at Daytona
The Mercedes-Benz Velo (1894) Karl Benz patented the three-wheeled Patent Motorwagen on January 29, 1886 and produced it as the first commercially available automobile from 1886 through 1893. He followed this initial success with the introduction of the Benz Velo model of 1894. The Velo and the Duryea Motor Wagon, patented in 1895, are credited as the first standardized cars. 67 Benz Velos were built in 1894 and 134 in 1895. The early Velo had a 1L 3.5 hp engine and later a 3.5 hp engine giving a top speed of 13 mph. The Velo also inspired numerous copies, including Marshall (later Belsize) in Manchester, Star, and Arnold (Paddock Wood, of which only twelve were built).
The Blitzen Benz (1910) In 1909, the Blitzen Benz was built in Mannheim by Benz & Cie. The vehicle was one of six built with a 21,500 cm3 (1,312.0 cu in), 200 hp
40
Blitzen Benz, 1910
Beach, breaking Glenn Curtiss’s unofficial absolute speed record, land, sea or air, set in 1907 on his V-8 motorcycle.[4] Burman’s record stood until 1919.
After 1914 the car was rebuilt for circuit racing, undergoing a
number of revisions before it was broken up in 1923. Several other examples of the 200 hp have survived.
Mercedes-Benz 10/30 PS
The Mercedes-Benz 10/30 PS (1921)
The Benz 10/25 PS was a midsize automobile introduced by Benz &
“in-line” engine of 2,610 cc delivering a maximum of 25 PS (18 kW;
Cie in 1912. The same year stated maximum output was increased
25 hp) at 1,600 rpm. Power passed through a leather cone clutch via a
which meant a name change to the Mercedes-Benz 10/30 PS. This cer-
four speed transmission and steel propeller shaft to the rear wheels. Top
tain model disappeared for three years following the First World War
speed was given as approximately 70 km/h.
but returned in 1921. A further power increase in 1926 meant another
name change, now to Benz 10/35 PS. Following the “fusion” between
engine, unchanged in size, but now providing 30 PS of power at 1,750
the Daimler and Benz companies, production of the Mercedes-Benz
rpm. At this time the four cylinders were in a block formed from a sin-
10/35 PS ended in 1927.
The car presented in 1912 was powered by a four circle cylinder
In the same year the manufacturer announced a more powerful
gle casting, rather than being set in a pair
The manufacturer applied the
of two twin cylinder blocks.
widely followed German naming con-
The bodies normally offered were
ventions of the time. On the Benz 10/30
for a Torpedo bodied “Tourenwagen”
PS the “10” defined the car’s tax horse-
or a ”Limousine.” In parallel with the
power, used by the authorities to deter-
standard length chassis the manufac-
mine the level of annual car tax to be
turer also offered a “Sport Runabout,”
imposed on car owners, . The “30” de-
its wheelbase being reduced in length
fined the maker’s claims regarding car’s
by 100 mm (3.9 in). The wooden spoked
actual power output as defined in metric
wheels were attached to rigid axles sus-
horsepower. Tax horsepower, which had
pended with simple leaf springs. Towards
been defined by statute since 1906, was
the end, some of the cars were produced
based on the dimensions of the cylinders in the engine. Unlike the systems used elsewhere in Europe, the German tax
with steel spoked wheels. Mercedes-Benz 10/30 PS, 1921
horsepower calculation took account both of the cylinder bore and of the cylinder stroke.
During the First World War the Benz10/30 PS continued to be produced but in reduced of numbers. Demand in this time was stronger for the Mercedes-Benz 14/30 PS
Although the car would have been promoted in its time as the
which produced the same advertised level of maximum power as the
10/25 PS, the 10/30 PS or the 10/35 PS according to its actual power
10/30 PS but from a larger 3,560 cc engine. Despite the power levels
output at the time, in retrospect it is often known simply as the Benz 10
being the same, the military believed that the larger engined car was
PS in order to avoid having to explain name changes during the model’s
likely to be more robust.
production period.
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
41
The Mercedes-Benz W136 (1936)
The Mercedes-Benz W180 (1954)
The Mercedes-Benz W136 was Mercedes-Benz’s line of four-cylinder
The Mercedes-Benz W180 is a 6-cylinder sedan, coupé, and convertible
automobiles from the mid-1930s into the 1950s. The car was first pre-
made from 1954 to 1959. The models associated with the W180 chassis
sented in public in February 1936, although by that time production
code were the 220a and 220S. The latter has often been identified as the
had already been under way for a couple of months. Between 1936 and
first E-Class, though Mercedes-Benz did not officially adopt the E-Class
1939, and again between 1947 and 1953 it was the manufacturer’s top
nameplate for its midsize line until 1984.
selling automobile.
After the Second World War the W136 became the foundation
models to informally receive the “Ponton” nickname. This model was in
on which the company rebuilt, because enough of the tooling had sur-
reference to the unibody-type, pontoon-shaped exterior styling which
vived allied bombing or could be recreated. This model is in retrospect
was also featured on the later W128 line.
sometimes celebrated as the first S-Class Mercedes-Benz. It was a more
luxurious, costlier and, when launched, slightly larger version of the
up-scale version of the W120 model 180 with a wheelbase stretched by
mainstream model and the manufacturer made an effort to maximize
170 mm (6.7 in). 100 mm (3.9 in) of that increase in length was neces-
the differentiation between the two. The Mercedes-Benz 170 Sb and 170
sary to accommodate the longer straight-6 engine taken from the W187
DS were even given a different works number in 1952, being internally
model 220, that in this application delivered 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) fed by
designated between 1952 and 1953 as the Mercedes-Benz W191.
a single carburettor.
The Mercedes-Benz W180 was one in a series of Mercedes-Benz
Introduced in March 1954, the 220a was a more luxurious and
The passenger cabin was also lengthened by 70 mm (2.8 in) to
provide an increase in the leg room available to rear seat passengers. From the side these six cylinder cars can readily be distinguished from their shorter four cylinder siblings by the extra “quarter light” windows incorporated in each of the rear doors.
The 220a was succeeded in March 1956 by the 220S, which was
externally almost identical, but had an upgraded version of the 2.2L inline-six (100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp), later 106 PS (78 kW; 105 hp)), due to the use of twin-carburettors.
Visually, the 220S featured a new one piece front bumper, in-
stead of the 3-piece bumper used on the 220a. Also, the twin chrome and rubber strips running under the doors of the 220a were replaced with solid chrome strips. The most obvious difference is the addition of a chrome strip running along the front fenders and doors of the 220S. Mercedes-Benz W136, 1936
42
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz W180, 1954
The 220S was available with a 4-speed column shift manual transmis-
the a-pillar forward was essentially a single-carburettor 220a, but rear-
sion, with an optional Hydrak automatic clutch. This made use of small
ward from the a-pillar it used the shorter body of the W120/W121
microswitches on the gear selector that automatically disengaged the
180/190 models.
clutch when the driver changed gears. Many cars have subsequently
been converted to use a regular manual clutch, due to the high main-
up, and in October 1956 a CoupĂŠ version followed suit. Some Cabriolets
tenece costs of continuing to use the Hydrak clutch.
were finished with folding rear seats to accommodate luggage.
In July 1956 a Cabriolet (two doors, four seats) joined the line-
Also introduced with the 220S was the W105 219, which from
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
43
Mercedes-Benz R121, 1955
The Mercedes-Benz R121 (1955)
190 models. The four-cylinder engine block of the 190SL was based on
The Mercedes-Benz 190SL is a two-door grand touring roadster with
the six-cylinder engine of the 300 SL. The 85 mm bore was transferred
an optional removable hardtop that was produced by Mercedes-Benz
unchanged from the larger engine to the smaller, although the stroke for
between May 1955 and February 1963. A prototype was first shown at
the 190 SL was reduced from 88.0 mm to 83.6 mm. The car was available
the 1954 New York Auto Show.
either as a soft-top convertible or with removable hardtop. Optional was
The 190SL was sold alongside more expensive Mercedes-Benz
a third-passenger transverse seat that could even fit an adult. During its
300SL, which it closely resembled both in its styling, engineering, de-
first years the 190SL was available as a sports-racing model with small
tailing and fully independent suspension, both cars having double wish-
perspex windscreen and spartan one-piece leather covered bucket seats
bone suspensions at the front and swing axles at the rear. However, the
and aluminum doors, although any competition aspirations were mod-
190SL did not use the 300SL’s purpose-built tubular spaceframe W198
est. In 1959, the hardtop’s rear window was enlarged.
platform, but was built on a shortened and monocoque R121 platform that modified from the W121 small saloon.
The 190SL was powered by a new, slightly oversquare 1.9 L
straight-four SOHC engine, that developed 105 PS that earned itself a reputation for not running that smoothly mostly due to the difficulty in properly synchronising the twin-choke dual Solex carburetors, and that, in detuned form, was later also used in the W120 180 and W121
44
Mercedes-Benz R121, 1955
The Mercedes-Benz W111 (1959)
roadsters that gained it fame, but it was
The Mercedes-Benz W111 was a chassis code
the simple unibody Pontons that were the
given to its top-range vehicles, including
volume models. Work on replacing these
4-door sedans, produced from 1959 to 1968,
cars began in 1956, and the design focused
and 2-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961
on passenger comfort and safety. The basic
to 1971. The W111, was initially attributed
Ponton cabin was widened and squared off,
only to 6-cylinder cars with 2.2-litre engines.
with larger glass area driver visibility. A
The luxury version with big-block 3-litre en-
milestone in car design were front and rear
gines were given the chassis code W112. The
crumple zones that would absorb kinetic energy from impact. The automaker also
entry-level vehicles with 4-cylinder engines were called W110. All three versions W110, W111, and W112, in both
patented retractable seatbelts. The exterior was designed for the Euro-
2- and 4-door bodies, were built on an identical chassis.
pean and North American markets. The body was modern and featured
Mercedes-Benz emerged from World War II as an automaker
characteristic tailfins that gave the models their nickname—the fintail
in the early 1950s with the expensive 300 Adenauers and the 300SL
(German: Heckflosse).
Mercedes-Benz W111, 1959
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1963) The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was the first iteration of the SL-Class grand tourer convertibles and fastest production car of its day. Internally numbered W198, it was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors and later offered as an open roadster.
Built by Daimler-Benz AG, the fuel-injected production model
was based on the company’s highly successful yet somewhat less powerful carbureted 1952 race car, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL (W194).
The idea of a toned-down W194 tailored to affluent performance
enthusiasts in the booming post-war American market was suggested by Max Hoffman. As such, it was introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show rather than the Frankfurt or Geneva shows at which other Mercedes models made their debuts. The “300” in its name referred to its three litre engine displacement, and “SL” stood for “Sport Leicht” (Sport Light). The 300SL was best known for its distinctive gull wing doors, first-ever consumer fuel-injection, and world’s fastest top speed. The gull wing version was available from March 1955 to 1957, the roadster from 1957 to 1963. It was followed in the Mercedes line by the 230SL.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL, 1963
46
The History of Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) Production began in 1964 and almost 600 variants were built until 1972. The oil crisis, as well as the introduction of new S-Class models, slowed demand. Modest production continued until 1981. During this time, 2,677 vehicles were made.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 was a large luxury automobile offered in
several variants worldwide. Introduced in September 1963, it had very few competitors, these being certain models of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, Cadillac Fleetwood 75, the stretched Lehmann-Peterson Lincoln, and the Chrysler Imperial Crown Ghia. Generally, the long-wheel-base (LWB) 600 was intended as chauffeur-driven; many featured a central divider incorporating a powered window between front and rear compartments. Short-wheel-base (SWB) 600 models were designed to be owner-driven.
Mercedes-Benz 600, 1964
48
49
Mercedes-Benz 600, 1964
The Mercedes-Benz W108 (1965) The Mercedes-Benz W108 and W109 are luxury cars which were built by Mercedes-Benz from 1965 through 1972. The line was an update of the predecessor W111 and W112 fintail sedans. The cars were successful in West Germany and in export markets including North America and Southeast Asia. During the seven-year production run, a total of 383,361 units were assembled.
The car’s predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz W111 (produced
1959-1971) helped Daimler develop greater sales and achieve economy of scale production. Whereas in the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz was producing hand-assembled 300s and 300SLs along with conveyor assembled Pontons (190, 190SL and 220) etc., the fintail (German: Heckflosse) family united the entire Mercedes-Benz range of vehicles onto one automobile platform, reducing production time and costs. However, the design fashion of the early 1960s changed. For example, the tail fins, originally intended to improve aerodynamic stability, died out within a few years as a fashion accessory. By the time the 2-door coupe and cabriolet W111s were launched, the fins lost their chrome trim and sharp appearance, the arrival of the W113 Pagoda in 1963 saw them further buried into the trunk’s contour, and finally disappeared on the W100 600 in 1964.
The upgrade of the W111 began under the leadership of designer
Paul Bracq in 1961 and ended in 1963. Although the fins’ departure was the most visible change, the W108 compared to the W111 had a lower body waist line that increased the window area. The cars had a lower ride (a decrease by 60 mm) and wider doors. The result was a visibly new car with a more sleek appearance and an open and spacious interior.
52
Mercedes-Benz W108, 1965
The Mercedes-Benz W114 (1967) The Mercedes-Benz W114 and W115 models are a series of coupes and sedans introduced in 1968 by Mercedes-Benz, manufactured through model year 1976, and distinguished in the marketplace by nameplates designating their engines.
The Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 models were the first
post-war Mercedes-Benz production car to use a newly engineered chassis, not derived from preceding models. The new chassis format of semi-trailing rear arms and ball-joint front end, first displayed in the W114/W115 chassis would be used in all new Mercedes passenger car models until the development of the multi-link rear suspensions of the 1980s.
Mercedes introduced a coupé variant of the W114 in 1969,
featuring a longer boot hood and available with either a 2.5 or 2.8 litre six-cylinder engine. While a classic and understated design these generally cost considerably less than their more popular contemporaries the Mercedes SL R107/C107 roadster and coupé (1971–1989) which featured the 3.5 or 4.5 litre V8 under the hood, and only a fraction of price commanded by the Pagoda models. While a ‘hard-top’ unlike the fully convertible SL, the pillarless design allowed all the windows to be lowered completely for open air motoring. Only 67,048 coupés were manufactured from 1969 to 1976. Of these 24,669 were 280C and 280CE, and 42,379 were the lesser 250C and 250CE.
Mercedes-Benz W114, 1967
53
The Mercedes-Benz W107/R107 (1971)
V8, aluminum alloy bonnet and boot-lid, and a black rear spoiler, along
The Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 are automobiles which were pro-
with a small front-lip spoiler. The 450SLC 5.0 was produced in order to
duced by Mercedes-Benz from 1971 through 1989, being the second
homologate the SLC for the 1978 World Rally Championship.
longest single series ever produced by the automaker, after the G-Class.
They were sold under the SL (R107) and SLC (C107) model
names as the 280 SL, 280 SLC, 300 SL, etc. up to the 560 SL. The R107 replaced the W113 SL-Class in 1971 and was replaced by the R129 SL-Class in 1989. The SLC replaced the W111 Coupé in 1971 and was replaced by the C126 S-class coupe in 1981.
The R107 was described by many as one of the best looking cars
Mercedes-Benz produced to date
The R107 took the chassis components of the Mercedes-Benz
W114 model and mated them initially to the M116 and M117 V8 engines used in the W108, W109 and W111 series.
The SL variant was a 2-seat convertible/roadster with standard
soft top and optional hardtop and optional folding seats for the rear bench. The SLC derivative was a 2 door hardtop coupe with normal rear seats. The SLC is commonly referred to as an ‘SL coupe,’ and this was the first time that Mercedes-Benz had based a coupe on an SL roadster platform rather than on a saloon, replacing the former saloon-based 280/300 SE coupé in Mercedes lineup. The SLC was replaced earlier than the SL, with the model run ending in 1981, with a much larger model, the 380 SEC and 500SEC based on the new S class.
From July 1974 both The SL and SLC could also be ordered with
a fuel-injected 2.8L straight-6 as 280 SL and SLC. US models sold from 1976 through 1979 used the Bosch K Jetronic system, an entirely mechanical fuel injection system. All US models used the 4.5 liter engine, and were called 450 SL/SLC.
In September 1977 the 450 SLC 5.0 joined the line. This was a
special version of the big coupé, featuring a new all-aluminum five-liter
54
Mercedes-Benz W107/R107, 1971
Mercedes-Benz W126, 1972
The Mercedes-Benz W126 (1972)
Compared to its predecessor, the W126 was more aerodynamic, fuel ef-
The Mercedes-Benz W126 is a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by German automotive marque Mercedes-Benz. Premiering in September 1979 as the successor to the earlier W116 line, the W126 was the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz flagship to officially bear the S-Class name referring to Sonderklasse or “special class.” The W126 was initially offered in straight-6, V8, and turbo diesel sedan models. In September 1981, 2-door coupé versions of the W126 were introduced.
ficient, capacious, and powerful. The W126 S-Class debuted a new Mercedes-Benz design style which was subsequently used on other vehicles in the company’s lineup. The W126 line also introduced Mercedes-Benz safety innovations, including the first seatbelt pretensioners. ngest of any S-Class generation since the flagship models were first built in the mid-1950s.
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
55
From 1973 to 1975, Mercedes-Benz designers worked on the
chrome bumpers; polyurethane deformable bumpers were used, and
successor to the W116. In December 1975, after several design conce
visually aligned with body panel.
being presented, the design for the W126 S-Class was approved and
frozen in 1976. From 1973 to 1975, Mercedes-Benz designers worked
September 6, 1977 at the United States Patent Office. The interior fea-
on the successor to the W116. In December 1975, after several design
tured pleated leather on the doors on later cars and woodgrain trim on
conce being presented, the design for the W126 S-Class was approved
the center console and across the dash, and a simplified layout with
and frozen in 1976.
symmetrically placed buttons. Both zebrano and burled walnut were
used on low/mid and high-end cars, respectively.
Design work on the coupe began immediately afterward, being
Design patents were first filed on March 3, 1977 and later on
finalized in 1977. It premiered the next generation of Mercedes-Benz car styling, which came to dominate the lineup in the 1980s. For the first time, a Mercedes-Benz sedan was not equipped with traditional
Mercedes-Benz W126 interior, 1972
The Mercedes-Benz W124 (1985)
suspension struts rather than shock absorbers, gas-filled suspension
W124 is the Mercedes-Benz internal chassis-designation for the 1985
spheres to provide damping and an under bonnet pressurizing pump.
to 1995/96 version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were succeeded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.
The W124 is a mid-sized vehicle platform. Due to the high cost
of German engineering and build quality, the W124 was designed to last many miles, with awards actually given and worn by high mileage versions. Front suspension uses a separate spring and damper with a rubber top mount. The rear suspension of the W124 features the Mercedes multi-link axle introduced in 1982 with the Mercedes 190 and which is now standard on many modern cars. Estate cars (and optionally, saloons and coupes) had Citroen-like self-leveling rear suspension with
Mercedes-Benz W124, 1985
Mercedes-Benz W463, 1989
The Mercedes-Benz W463 (1989)
highlights appeared while the floor grew a
The G-Klasse saw a full revision in 1989
minutely refined console encasing the shift-
when the chassis was renamed to W643
stick and differential that extended all the
following the introduction of standard
way to dashboard. By 1995, the cars began
anti-lock brakes, a permanent full-wheel
using the new MB letter-first designations
drive system and electronically-locking
and were refreshed again in 1997 when the
differentials. While the car’s underpinnings
engine range was broadened with the intro-
were improved, the former scantily clad in-
duction of a 2.9 L turbocharged diesel plant
terior received some class as well. Wooden
and a 3.2 L V6 petrol unit.
58
The History of Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz W140 (1991)
from 1989 to 1991 to accommodate a V12 engine and a high-perfor-
The Mercedes-Benz W140 is a series of flagship vehicles that were
mance braking system. This resulted in the final prototypes being com-
manufactured by the German automotive company Mercedes-Benz.
pleted in June 1990. Pilot production models were made from June 1990
On November 16, 1990, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the W140 S-Class via
to January 1991.
press release, later appearing in several February and March editions of magazines. The W140 made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, with the first examples rolling off the production line in April 1991 and North American examples on August 6, 1991.
Short and long (SEL) wheelbase sedans were offered initially,
as well as the coupé (SEC) body style from October 1992. Like every Mercedes-Benz lines, the W140 S-Class was rationalized in late 1993 using the new “letter-first” nomenclature. The SE, SEL, and SEC cars were renamed the S-Class, with alphanumerical designations inverted. For example, the 500 SE became the S 500, and the 500 SEL became the S 500 L. In 1996 the coupé models following a mid-life update were separated into the CL-Class. The W140 series S-Class was superseded by the W220 S-Class sedan and C215 CL-Class coupe in 1999 after an
Mercedes-Benz W140, 1911
eight-year production run.
Development on the W140 began in 1981, originally set for an
The W140 introduced innovations such as double-pane window
October 1989 production start. From 1982 to 1986 several designs were
glazing, power-assisted closing for doors and boot lid, electric win-
reviewed, until December 9, 1986 a definitive design by Olivier Boulay
dows which lowered back down upon encountering an obstruction,
was approved. Several prototypes were tested onwards from early 1987
rear-parking markers which rose from the rear wings (discontinued on
and the final production exterior design was frozen in 1987, with do-
later vehicles, and replaced with sonar-assisted parking) and a heating
mestic design patents being filed on February 23, 1988 and U.S. patents
system which, if desired, continued to emit warm air after the engine
six months later on August 23. The design was said by lead designer
was turned off. For details like this, the W140 is often known as the last
Bruno Sacco to be influenced by BMW’s E32 7-Series. Before produc-
Mercedes to be “overengineered,” a Mercedes trait that was costing the
tion started, the exterior appearance of the W140 was revised in the
company in product delays and overbudgeting.
form of the grille on all W140s being recessed as opposed to a planned exclusive grille on the top model, a feature which later spread to the rest of the Mercedes-Benz range. In 1987, an 18-month delay was made
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
59
Mercedes-Benz W140, 1991
The Mercedes-Benz W210 (1995) The Mercedes-Benz W210 is an Mid-size luxury car which was produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from 1995 through 2002 (production of the wagon variant (codenamed S210) carried over to the 2003 model year). They were sold under the E-Class model names in both sedan (saloon) and station wagon body types.
In 1988, W210 development started three years after the W124’s
introduction. The W210 E-class appearance, which was designed by Steve Mattin under design chief Bruno Sacco between 1989 and 1991, heralded a brand new design idiom for the Mercedes ‘face,’ which would continue until the W209 CLK. This design cue was previewed on the 1993 Coupé Concept shown at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1993. This idiom was the mainstream fashion used by Mercedes-Benz for a long period, and later appeared on other models such as the CLK (W208, W209, C208, C209, A208, A209), C-class (W203, CL203, S203), CL (C215), and the SL (R230).Design patents for both the Coupé Concept and the W210 E-Class were filed on 25 February 1993 in Germany and August 25, 1993 in the US.
Mercedes-Benz W210, 1995
62
The Mercedes-Benz W638/V-CLass (1996) The M-Klasse first appeared in 1997 as MB’s first step into the luxury SUV market. Although it has a platform of its own, the car seems like a neutered version of the G-Klasse in terms of off-road capabilities. However, it compensates through looks, comfort and safety as well as a few performance variants tweaked by MB’s in-house tuner, AMG. The car was a surprising appearance, firstly due to its design and secondly thanks to its never-before-seen on a car in its class stability control, a system designated to reduce the risk of crashing by detecting loss of control and gradually braking in order to bring the car back on track. Such features combined with the sturdy construction of the vehicle and front/side impact air bags have earned the car a well deserved top score on crash tests.
Mercedes-Benz- W638/V-Class, 1996
The History of Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz C208 (1997)
a specification level higher than the E-Class, it was in fact based on the
The Mercedes-Benz C208/A208 cars were produced from 1997 through
less expensive C-Class (W202) platform.
2002. They were sold under the CLK-Class model names. The C208 was
a new model based on the W202 C-Class. It was replaced by the C209
tems, such as tow-away protection and an emergency transmission
CLK-Class in 2002, although the convertible remained in production
mode. The C208 was succeeded by the C209, also called the CLK.
until 2003 when replaced by the A209.
The Mercedes-Benz C208 (coupe)1997-2002 and convertible
(A208) produced from 1997 to 2003. They were sold under the CLKClass model names. The 208 series models were the CLK 200 4-cylinder, CLK230 Kompressor 4-cylinder, CLK 320 V6, CLK 430 V8 and CLK 55 AMG. All models were available in both coupe and cabriolet form. All of them had four seats so that families could sit comfortably.
The CLK introduced a new market niche for Mercedes-Benz.
Although the C208 used components from the E-Class (W210) and had
Mercedes-Benz C208, 1997
The CLK features a number of innovative accessories and sys-
Mercedes-Benz W168, 1997
The Mercedes-Benz W168 (1997) The A Class (W168) model is a car manufactured by Mercedes Benz, with doors and seats. In this A Class (W168), sold from year 1997 to 2001, the curb weight is 2293 lbs (1040 kgs) and it is equiped with a naturally-aspirated In-line 4 cilynder, 8 valves, Petrol motor, with the engine code 166.960. The engine produces an maximum peak output power of 102 PS (101 bhp - 75 kW) at 5250 rpm and a maximum torque of 150 Nm (110 lb.ft) at 4000 rpm, and it is positioned in Transverse alignment in the of the vehicle. The power is transmitted to the road by a 5 speed Manual gearbox, and the type of traction drive system used is front wheel drive (FWD).
With this drive-train, the A Class (W168) A160 goes from 0 to
100km/h (62mph) in 10.8 seconds (0 to 60mph in seconds) and is capable of reaching a maximum top speed of 113 mph (182 km/h). Regarding the chassis characteristics, responsible for road holding, handling behaviour and ride confort, the A Class (W168) have a front suspension mechanism of the McPherson with anti-roll bar type, and in the rear suspension it uses a Trailing arms with anti-roll bar type. Stock tire sizes are 195 / 50 on 15 inch rims on the front, and 195 / 50 on 15 inch rims on the rear. As for stopping power, the A Class (W168) braking system includes Discs at the front and Drums at the rear.
The Mercedes-Benz W163/M-Class (1997) The M-Klasse first appeared in 1997 as Mercedes-Benz’s first step into the luxury SUV market. Although it has a platform of its own, the car seems like a neutered version of the G-Klasse in terms of off-road capabilities. However, it compensates through looks, comfort and safety as well as a few performance variants tweaked by MB’s in-house tuner, AMG. The car was a surprising appearance, firstly due to its design and secondly thanks to its never-before-seen on a car in its class stability control, a system designated to reduce the risk of crashing by detecting loss of control and gradually braking in order to bring the car back on track. Such features combined with the sturdy of that vehicle and front side impact air bags have earned the car a well deserved top score on crash tests.
Mercedes-Benz W163, 1997
The Mercedes-Benz W220 (1998) The W220 was a series of flagship sedans constituted the Mercedes-Benz S-Class during the early to mid-2000s. Development for the W220 S-Class started in 1992, with the final design, helmed by Steve Mattin being approved in 1994 and frozen for production in the first half of 1995. The completed prototypes were presented in June 1998. The W220 (and similar W215 CL-Class coupés) started production in 1999. The W220 was a replacement for the earlier W140 S-Class after the 1999 model year. Compared to its predecessor, the W220 had somewhat smaller exterior dimensions but offered more interior space, particularly in the long-wheelbase versions (although the trunk is smaller than on its W140 predecessor). Production of the W220 totalled 485,000 units,
slightly more than the production totals from the W140. Production
company’s first model to feature the company’s new design theme for
ended in 2006 when the W220 and W215 were replaced by the W221
the next generation of Mercedes-Benz. This honor was given to the
S-Class and the W216 CL-Class.
A-Class launched in 1997. Steve Mattin’s design was first sketch drawn
in late 1992 and developed into 1:1 scale by late 1994. The production
Unlike previous iterations of the S-Class, the W220 was not the
design was frozen 38 months before production in 1995. Nevertheless, being Mercedes flagship vehicle worldwide, the S-Class popularized the new theme. It demonstrated a significantly different stylistic mindset, with both exterior lines and an interior design that express elegance and modernity.
A facelifted version of the S-Class was designed in late 2000 and
introduced in September 2002, offering a more aerodynamic front-end and redesigned taillights, though the exterior style remained largely analogous to the previous W220 models. Although the facelift only made minor changes to the exterior, it addressed several of the issues in the COMAND system and other interior features.
The S600 series has a “V12” badge affixed to either side of the car,
just forward of the front doors and back from the wheel wells. The first W220 S-Class rolled off the assembly line on August 13, 1998. Mercedes-Benz W220, 1998
68
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz W220, 1998
The Mercedes-Benz C199 (2003) Built as part of a joint venture between MB, the SLR is actually an improvement on one of the German manufacturer’s older designs, inspired in turn by the gullwing 300SL. Hence, the body frame and doors which pay homage to the beautifully styled 300SL. Sporting a mid-front mounted 5.4L V8 supercharged engine capable of 625 hp and 780 Nm of max torque, ceramic composite brakes and active aerodynamics, the streamlined SLR is a gleaming, incredibly fast car. Despite the elongated nose, the engine takes up only 50% of that space with the rest being filled by and airbox through which collected air is passed to the oil cooling systems and dual engine intercoolers.
Mercedes-Benz C199, 2003
The Mercedes-Benz W221 (2005) Unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, the latest generation S-Klasse was released as an even more refined car with new handling and safety features as well as an interior that could rival that of a yacht. Clad in light-weight steel and aluminum attire, the refreshed S-Klasse body houses three new engines that develop as much as 1/4 or even more power than the old range. Comfort and luxury have been enhanced by a slight increase in the car’s size while numerous other additions add to the MB experience. Engineers have fitted the vehicle with a supplementary Brake Assist Plus system, improved Pre-Safe and ESP as well as Night View Assist. Furtehrmore, the all-new S-Klasse includes eight-dual stage airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control and front rear crumple zones.
The W221 S-Class’ exterior styling is distinctly different from
the W220. The W220 somewhat broke with tradition in being smaller than its W140 predecessor, whereas the W221 is once more larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, offers more interior space and has improved performance. W221 looks are often said to be more imposing than those of the W220. The rear styling is similar to the Mercedes-Benz Maybach - the larger saloon from Daimler AG’s other flagship brand, which was presented to the public in 1997. Development began in 1999, with the design work beginning in 2000 at the Advanced Design Center in Tokyo, and the final design by Gorden Wagener at the Sindelfingen Advanced Design Center being approved in 2001, frozen for production in early 2002 and patented in Germany on December 4, 2003.A final design prototype W221 was presented in December 2002 to Autospies journalists at a consumer design clinic, 2.5 years prior to the official production model unveiling in June 2005.
Mercedes-Benz W221, 2005
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
71
Mercedes-Benz model Lo 2000, diesel 2-tonne
CHAPTER 4
The Companies
The end of the First World War presented
have created confusion and legal problems to
great challenges for the German automo-
include Daimler in its new brand name, and
tive industry. From 1914 to 1919 hardly any
therefore, used Mercedes to represent the
development work had been carried out on
Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft interest. Karl
civilian products. Economically, the collapse
Benz remained as a member of the board of
of the currency, the growing number of new
directors of Daimler-Benz AG until his death
automotive companies which had previously
in 1929. In 1989 Daimler-Benz InterServices
operated in the armaments sector, and the loss
AG (Debis) was created to handle data pro-
of important foreign markets had a negative
cessing, financial and insurance services, and
effect. The name of Daimler as a marque of au-
real estate management for the Daimler group.
tomobiles had been sold by DMG—following his death in 1900 for use by other companies, so the new company, Daimler-Benz, would
73
The Merger
of his parents Benz and Vaillant. When he was two years old, his father
A record that was not exceeded for ten years by any other vehicle. It
drich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near pover-
was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Frie-
was transported to several countries, including the United States, to es-
ty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the
tablish multiple records of this achievement. Karl Benz was born Karl
local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and was a prodigious student. In
Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on November 25, 1844 in Mühlburg, now
1853, at the age of nine he started at the scientifically oriented Lyceum.
a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part of modern Germany, to
Next he studied at the Poly-Technical University under the instruction
Josephine Vaillant and a locomotive driver, Johann George Benz, whom
of Ferdinand Redtenbacher. Benz had originally focused his studies on
she married a few months later.
locksmithing, but eventually followed his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering. On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the University of Karl-
Rewards When he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a
sruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe
Processess
and was a prodigious student. In 1853, at the age of nine he started at the
During these years, while riding his bicycle, he started to envision con-
scientifically oriented Lyceum. Next he studied at the Poly-Technical
cepts for a vehicle that would eventually become the horseless carriage.
University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher. Benz had
Following his formal education, Benz had seven years of professional
originally focused his studies on locksmithing, but eventually followed
training in several companies, but did not fit well in any of them. The
his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering. On September 30,
training started in Karlsruhe with two years of varied jobs in a mechan-
1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engi-
ical engineering company. The training started in Karlsruhe with two
neering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended.
years of varied jobs in a mechanical engineering company.
Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on Novem-
ber 25, 1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is
Reputations
part of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a locomotive driver,
Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on November 25,
Johann George Benz, whom she married a few months later. According
1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part
to German law, the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage
of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a locomotive driver, Jo-
of his parents Benz and Vaillant. The training started in Karlsruhe with
hann George Benz, whom she married a few months later. According
two years of varied jobs in a mechanical engineering company. When
to German law, the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage
he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his
74
The History of Mercedes-Benz
name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father.
Following his formal education, Benz had seven years of professional
Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good
training in several companies, but did not fit well in any of them. The
education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and
training started in Karlsruhe with two years of varied jobs in a mechan-
was a prodigious student. In 1853, he started at the scientifically ori-
ical engineering company. The training started in Karlsruhe with two
ented Lyceum. Next he studied at the Poly-Technical University under
years of varied jobs in a mechanical engineering company.
the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher. On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was
graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen. Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich
Benz, whom she married a few months later. According to German law,
Michael Vaillant, on November 25, 1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a locomotive driver, Johann George Benz, whom she married a few months later. According to German law, the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage of his parents Benz and Vaillant. When he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and was a prodigious student. At the age of nine, Karl Benz started at the
Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on Novem-
ber 25, in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a driver, Johann George the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage of his parents Benz and Vaillant. The training started in Karlsruhe with two years of varied jobs in a mechanical engineering company. When he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School and was a prodigious student. In 1853, at the age of nine he started at the Lyceum. He studied at the Poly-Technical University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redten-
scientifically oriented Lyceum. Karl Benz studied at the Poly-Technical
bacher. On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, for mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended.
University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher. Benz had
Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen. On September 30, 1860, at
originally focused his studies on locksmithing, but eventually followed
age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at
his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering. In 1860, at age fifteen,
the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was
he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the Univer-
graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
sity of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
Competition Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on November 25,
Processess
1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part
During these years, while riding his bicycle, he started to envision con-
of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a driver, Johann George
cepts for a vehicle that would eventually become the horseless carriage.
Benz, whom she married a few months later. According to German law,
The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz
75
the child acquired the Name “Benz� by legal marriage of his parents Benz and Vaillant. When he was two years old, his father was killed in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and was a prodigious student. In 1853, at the age of nine he started at Lyceum. He studied at the Poly-Technical University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher.
Benz had originally focused his studies on locksmithing, but
eventually followed his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering. On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
During these years, while riding his bicycle, he started to envi-
sion concepts for a vehicle that would eventually become the horseless carriage. Following his formal education, Benz had seven years of professional training in several companies, but did not fit well in any of them. The training started in Karlsruhe with two years of varied jobs in a mechanical engineering company.
76
The History of Mercedes-Benz
The History of Mercedes-Benz
19
The Class
Blitzen Benz In 1909, the Blitzen Benz was built in Mannheim by Benz & Cie. The bird-beaked vehicle had a 21.5-liter (1312ci), 150 kW (200 hp) engine,
The S-Class Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, on November 25, 1844 in Mühlburg, now a borough of Karlsruhe, Baden, which is part of modern Germany, to Josephine Vaillant and a driver, Johann George Benz, whom she married a few months later. According to German law, the child acquired the Name “Benz” by legal marriage of his parents Benz and Vaillant. When he was two years old, his father was killed in
and on November 9, 1909 in the hands of Victor Hémery of France, the land speed racer at Brooklands, set a record of 226.91 km/h (141.94 mph), said to be “faster than any plane, train, or automobile” at the time, a record that was not exceeded for ten years by any other vehicle. It was transported to several countries, including the United States, to establish multiple records of this achievement.
a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in remembrance of his father. Despite living in near poverty, his mother strove to give him a good education. Benz attended the local Grammar School in Karlsruhe and was a prodigious student. In 1853, at the age of nine he started at the scientifically oriented Lyceum. Next he studied at the Poly-Technical University under the instruction of Ferdinand Redtenbacher.
Benz had originally focused his studies on locksmithing, but
eventually followed his father’s steps toward locomotive engineering. On September 30, 1860, at age fifteen, he passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, which he subsequently attended. Benz was graduated July 9, 1864 at nineteen.
Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik, usually referred to as, Benz &
Cie. Quickly growing to twenty-five employees, it soon began to produce static gas engines as well. The success of the company gave Benz the opportunity to indulge in his old passion of designing a horseless carriage. Based on his experience with, and fondness for, bicycles, he used similar technology when he created an automobile. It featured wire wheels with a four-stroke engine of his own design between the rear wheels, with a very advanced coil and evaporative cooling rather than a radiator.Power was transmitted by means of two roller chains to the rear axle. Karl Benz finished his creation in 1885 and named it the Benz Patent Motorwagen.
80
Mercedes-Benz, the S-class, 2014
The History of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz, the E-class, 2014
The E-Class The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood for Einspritzmotor (German for fuel injection engine); a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the engine nomenclature (e.g. 230E) in the 1950s. It was not until the launch of the facelifted W124 that the E was used as a prefix and the model referred to officially as the E-Class. At this time all Mercedes cars used fuel injection and the company felt it was not necessary to add this as a distinguishing feature. Due to the E-Class’s size and durability, the cars also frequently serve as taxis in European countries. Older models like the W123 and W124 are used in Malaysia as inter-state taxis, and the Mercedes-Benz W211 is used in Singapore as a taxi.
The ‘E-Class’ name first
appeared in the USA with the face-lifted W124 for the model year 1994 (the w124 was introduced in the US in 1986 but continued with the older models’ naming convention until 1993, when all Mercedes-Benz models switched to a new system.The 300D continued to be the fuel economy option over the 4 and 6 cylinder gasoline engines, and the
gasoline V8 engines (available after 1992) increased gasoline power outputs further. The V8 powered sedans/saloons were named 400E/500E from 1992–1993, and E420/E500 after 1993. Likewise, the 3-liter cars (e.g., ‘E300’) where also re-badged to ‘E320’ with the new 3.2 litre engines and naming rationalization of 1994.
From 1992 to 1994 Mercedes offered a limited production sport ver-
sion of the W124 sedan, created and assembled with help from Porsche. This was called the 500E (E500 for 1994).
The C-Class
nal design by Murat Gunak being selected in 1989 and the production
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of compact executive cars pro-
design by Olivier Boulay frozen in late 1989, being later patented on
duced by Daimler AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for W201
19 December 1990. Rough prototypes went into testing in 1989, with
range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque’s lineup until
first production design prototypes commencing testing in 1990. In May
the arrival of the A-Class in 1997. The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz
1993, the first generation W202 C-Class was introduced as a replace-
factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany as well as numerous
ment for the 190. The C-Class sedan was the company’s entry-level
satellite factories in other countries. The first C-Class (W202) sedan was
model up until 1997, when Mercedes launched the A-Class. Styling
produced on 1 June 1993, and the first of the second generation rolled
themes were carried over from the previous W201 series, but the new
off the assembly line on 18 July 2000. The most recent third generation
series had a smoother and rounder design than the previous generation
(W204) was launched in 2007.
of compact Mercedes.
Although originally sold as sedan and station wagon, the W203
With the 1997 restyling ASR became standard in all the models,
series in 2000 debuted a fastback/hatchback coupe version that, when
except in the C 180 and C 220 Diesel. This last model continued to offer
facelifted, became the CLC-Class. The CLC-Class remained in produc-
ETS available as extra cost. Moreover front side airbags and Brake assist
tion until 2011 when it was replaced by a new W204-based C-Class
(BAS) came in the list of standard safety features. The two basic models
coupe for the 2012 model year.
finally joined ASR in 1998, and, in 1999, the W202 was the first mid-size
sedan to offer ESP as standard in all the range.
In October 1986, three years into the W201’s production run,
work began on a successor. Design work began in 1987, with the fi-
Mercedes-Benz, the C-class, 2015
SLS AMG The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a front-engine, two-seater extremely luxury grand tourer automobile developed by Mercedes-AMG of German automobile maker Mercedes-Benz and is the first Mercedes-Benz automobile designed inhouse by AMG. The car, which has gull-wing doors is the successor to the the SLR McLaren and is described by Mercedes-Benz as a spiritual successor to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. SLS stands for “Sport Leicht Super.� The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is assembled in Sindelfingen, Germany.
Mercedes presented at the 2012 Paris Motor Show an electric version of
the car, named Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive.
Mercedes-Benz, SLS AMG, 2014
Bibliography Aldick, Josephine. “Mr. Jefferson’s Expedition.” AppleSeeds. November 2002 : 18-20. The Corps of Discovery. Edina, MN: ABDO & Daughters, 2003. Johnman, Carol A. and Michael Kline. The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Join the Corps of Discovery to Explore Uncharted Territory. Charlotte, VT: Williamson Publishing, 2003. Kozar, Richard. Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the Louisiana Purchase. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2000. Lewis and Clark. National Park Service. 10 Jan. 2005. <http://www.nps.gov/lecl/>. ”Lewis and Clark in North Dakota.” 15 Jan. 2005. <http://www.state.nd.us/hist/LewisClark/indexFrameset.html>. “Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.” Time. 17 Feb. 2005 : 43. Moulton, Gary E. “Clark, William.” World Book. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2004. North Dakota Tourism Council. Experience the Mandan Winter. 2004. Pine, Eric. Personal interview. 21 Jan. 2005. Rice, Otis K. “Lewis and Clark Expedition.” The New Book of Knowledge. Grolier Online. 7 Jan. 2005. < http://go.grolier.com>. “Sacagawea.” America the Beautiful. Grolier Online. 8 Jan. 2005. < http://go.grolier. com>. Schneck, Teresa. Homepage. 14 Jan. 2005. <http://www.wsu.edu/schneck/ personal.htm>. “Shoshone Indians.” World Book. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2004.
94
Index F A artificial intelligence, 14–16 as navigational aids, 28–30, 110 analysis, 94–109
M favorite sites, 50–60
map-making, relational, 14–16 map recall See recall in navigation mental maps. See cognitve maps
G
aids, 22–23, 112 algorithms, 43, 47, 118–119
graphical overview maps, 22
methodology, 39–40, 48, 52, 112–116
graphics, web. See visual landmark characteristics
Mukherjea, S., 32–33, 42
guided tours, web, 22, 112 N
B bookmarks, web, 22 buildings as landmarks, 24–26, 118 C
O orientation, 20–21 organizing concepts for landmarks, 28
I
orientation, hypertext, 20–21
information architecture, 2 Information Science, 5
P Passini, R., 9, 29
K
paths, 48–49, 60–73, 75–80
knowledge, navigational, 6, 26
design, urban, 8–9 disorientation, hypertext, 20–21
navigational aids
open-terrain navigation.
conclusions, 110–111
data. See statistical data
neurological aspects, 10–13
Hirtle, S. C., 2, 35–37, 108, 119
hypertext, 18
characteristics, 24–26, 34
D
node connectivity, 32–33, 42, 113
hypotheses, 40–41
hyperlinks. See links
cognitive maps, 1, 9, 26.
characteristics, 44–46
hierarchies, 22
home pages, 30–31, 36, 112
cognitive landmarks. See semantic landmark
computational approaches, 42–44
navigation, physical, 5, 7, 27–28
H
Pirolli, P. , 113–114 participants, 59–60, 81
L
passenger, 49–59
landmarks, physical, 6, 37
E experiments, 48–50, 55–59, 91 evaluation, 46–53 experiments, 80–91 evaluation, 48–50, 75–80
paths, web navigation, 48–49, 60–73, 75–80
landmarks and, 28–30, 119–120 learning, 26–27 learning, spatial knowledge, 26–27 Lynch, K., 8–9, 24–26 learning, 23–27
Q questionnaires, 46–47, 48–53 questions, 51, 77–79, 81–88
95
spatial representation of landmarks, 24–26
usability, 113
starting points, 48–49, 57, 68.
usage, 48–49, 74–75, 98–99
Raubal, M. and Winter, S., 118–119
standard deviation, 114–115
user interface navigational features, 5
recall in navigation, 39, 110
statistical data, 75–77, 100
recall, 39, 110
statistical analysis, 56–58
robot, 14–16
subjective landmark values, 89, 90, 102–107
R
V virtual reality, 17
relational map-making, 14–16 research implications, 111–112
T
W
research method, 39–40, 48, 52
tours, web guided, 22
robot navigation, 14–16
types of, 35–36
recommendations, 113–114
types of, 30 U
S Sorrows, M. E. and Hirtle, S. C., 2, 35–37, 108, 119
urban design, 8–9
space, networked, 7, 13
URL knowledge, 49, 74–76, 85–86, 98–99
space, open-terrain, 7, 16
URL length, 34, 42
96
The History of Mercedes-Benz
weighted analysis, 105–107, 118–119
This publication accompanies the exhibition Amateurs at the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, on view from March 23 through May 9, 2014, in the lower of the Logan Galleries on the San Francisco campus of California College of the Arts. Catalog design: Victor Yu-Tse Chien © 2014 by Chronicle Books, 165 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission. All images are © the artists, reproduced with the kind permission of the artists and/or their representatives. Photo credits: p. 10 (top): © 1963 Julian Wasser; p. 10 (bottom): courtesy the Andy Warhol Museum, © 2008 the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, a museum of Carnegie Institute, all rights reserved; pp. 11, 19: courtesy the artist and Gagosian Gallery. Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders and to ensure that all the information presented is correct. Some of the facts in this volume may be subject to debate or dispute. If proper copyright acknowledgment has not been made, or for clarifications and corrections, please contact the publishers and we will correct the information in future reprintings, if any. ISBN 978-0-9802055-1-0