Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a brand of premium cars produced by the German concern Daimler AG. One of the top three German automakers selling the largest number of premium cars in the world.

For some time, two automakers – Benz and Daimler – developed in parallel. In 1926 they merged into the Daimler-Benz concern.

The birth of the Benz brand dates back to 1886, when Karl Benz created the world’s first three-wheeled car with an internal combustion engine running on gasoline.

He was a talented engineer who already had considerable experience with mechanical machines. Since 1878, Karl Benz has been intensively developing the two-stroke engine to create a vehicle without horses.

He received his first motor on the eve of 1879. This was followed by a series of changes in business partners, with whom Karl parted, most often because of their skepticism about the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bcreating a car.

January 29, 1886 Benz received a patent for the invention of a three-wheeled car. The horizontal single-cylinder four-stroke engine weighed about 100 kg and was very light for the time. Its volume was equal to 954 cubic meters. cm, and a power of 0.55 kW at 400 rpm. It had the same structural elements that are characteristic of internal combustion engines today: a crankshaft with counterweights, electric ignition and water cooling. To drive 100 km, the car needed about 10 liters of gasoline.

In 1893, Benz produced the first four-wheeled vehicles based on a three-wheeled design. They were a little old fashioned, but practical, durable and affordable.

Later, Benz began to equip his cars with two-cylinder engines. In 1900, his firm ran into financial difficulties, so first French and then German engineers were invited.

Over time, four-cylinder engines began to be installed on cars, and the company’s business went uphill.

In 1909, the Blitzen Benz appeared, an aerodynamic racing car equipped with a 21,500 cc engine. cm and a power of 200 hp.

Another company, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, was founded in 1890 by Gottlieb Daimler. She immediately began to produce a four-wheeled car created 4 years earlier. Daimler himself and the auto designer Wilhelm Maybach were engaged in its design.

At first, the company did not produce anything remarkable, although the cars sold well. In 1901, the Mercedes-35hp appears, the engine power of which was incorporated in its name. This model is considered the first representative of a modern car. It was originally developed as a racing vehicle and later developed as a road vehicle.

The name of the car was at the insistence of the head of the Daimler representative office in France and the consul of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Nice, Emil Jellinek. He proposed to name the model in honor of the Virgin Mary of Mercy, which in French is called Maria de las Mercedes.

The car was equipped with a four-cylinder engine of 5,913 cubic meters. cm. After many revisions, the Mercedes-35hp developed 75 km / h, which amazed the then motorists.

The history of the brand in Russia began almost immediately after its appearance on the automotive horizon. In 1890, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft supplies its engines to Russia. In 1894, the first Benz car appeared in our country, designed for two passengers, with a 1.5 hp engine. A year later, the first Benz car is sold in St. Petersburg, on the basis of which a serial vehicle of Yakovlev’s Gasoline and Gas Engine Factory is being developed.

In 1910, the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft company opened its first salon in Moscow, and two years later became a supplier to the imperial court.

Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft formed a wide model line, which included cars with engines from 1,568 to 9,575 cc. cm, as well as luxury cars that used engines with valveless gas distribution.

After the war, Daimler began to work on the creation of a compressor that would increase engine power by one and a half times. The work was completed with the help of Ferdinand Porsche, who joined the company in 1923. He designed the Mercedes 24/100/140 PS with a six-cylinder compressor engine of 6,240 cc. cm and power from 100 to 140 hp. After the merger of Daimler and Benz, the car became known as the Mercedes-Benz Type 630.

In the same year, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft opens a representative office in Moscow. The brand takes first place in the All-Russian test run.

The economic situation that prevailed in Germany after the First World War forced longtime competitors – Benz and Daimler – to start negotiations on cooperation. As a result, in 1926, a new automotive company appeared – the Daimler-Benz concern. The companies began joint development of cars, and Ferdinand Porsche became the head of the design bureau.

He began to work on the improvement of compressor cars, in particular, the 24/100/140 model, which became the ancestor of the S series. This family of cars combined comfort, luxury and sporting performance. They were stronger, lighter and more manoeuvrable. Their appearance in racing competitions immediately brought the car company a double victory. For their color and size they were called “White Elephants”.

In 1928, Porsche left the company, deciding to found his own company, and engineer Hans Nibel took his place. He continues to develop the developments of his predecessor, releasing cars Mannheim 370 with a six-cylinder 3.7-liter engine and Nürburg 500 with an eight-cylinder 4.9-liter power unit.

In 1930, a luxurious Mercedes-Benz 770, or “Big Mercedes”, appears, which belonged to the Pope, Emperor Hirohito, Adolf Hitler, Paul von Hindenburg, Hermann Goering and Wilhelm II.

It was equipped with a 7,655 cc inline eight-cylinder engine. cm, which developed 150 hp. at 2800 rpm. With supercharging, its power increased to 200 hp, and the maximum speed was 160 km / h. The motor was aggregated with a four-speed gearbox.

The second generation of the model was equipped with a 155 hp engine. naturally aspirated and 230 hp supercharged. From 1940 to 1943, armored versions of cars weighing 5,400 kg and with a maximum speed of 80 km/h were produced.

Under the leadership of Hans Niebel, very successful models are being created, including the 170 small car with independent front wheel suspension, the 380 sports car with a 140-horsepower 3.8-liter supercharged engine, the 130 with a rear-mounted 1,308 cc engine. cm.

In 1935, Max Seiler became the chief designer, who oversaw the creation of an inexpensive model 170V, a diesel 260D and a new generation of 770, so fond of the Nazi leaders.

Mercedes-Benz 260 D was the first passenger car with a diesel engine. It was presented at the Berlin Motor Show in February 1936. Until 1940, when the Daimler-Benz concern had to devote production entirely to military needs, about 2,000 units of this model were produced.

It was equipped with a four-cylinder 4-liter engine with overhead valves, which was aggregated with a four-speed gearbox. Mercedes-Benz 260 D received an independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes.

During World War II, the concern focused on the production of trucks and cars for the army. The enterprises worked until September 1944, when they were almost completely destroyed as a result of the bombardment. In January 1945, the company’s board of directors ruled that Daimler-Benz no longer had physical assets.

In the post-war years, automotive production recovered extremely slowly. Therefore, Daimler-Benz built mainly already produced models with obsolete designs. The first car produced after the war was the subcompact W136 sedan with a 38-horsepower engine. Then came the W191 with an enlarged body and the 80-horsepower W187, which was later renamed the 220. By 1955, the production of the 170 and 220 models had reached such volumes that the company could count on a successful and uninterrupted activity in the future.

The concern makes deliveries of its cars to the USSR. So, from 1946 to 1969, 604 cars, 20 trucks, 7 buses, and 14 Unimogs were exported to the Soviet countries.

Amid the financial and engineering challenges associated with wartime destruction, the marque never forgot its ambitions as a luxury car manufacturer.

In November 1951, during the Paris Motor Show, the executive limousine 300 debuted with a powerful six-cylinder 3-liter engine with an overhead camshaft. Thanks to its striking appearance, hand-made high-quality assembly, the presence of radio, telephone and other technical innovations, the model has become a huge success with politicians, celebrities and big businessmen. One of the copies belonged to Konrad Adenauer, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, after whom the cars began to be called “Adenauer”.

The model was constantly modernized, as it was assembled by hand. In 1954, the 300b comes out with new brake drums and front windows, in 1955, the 300c with automatic transmission, and the 300Sc with a revolutionary fuel injection system.

In 1953, the Mercedes-Benz 180 debuted, which was supposed to replace the outdated 170 and 200, but at the same time be more affordable than the chic 300. The car was based on a monocoque body with classic lines of wheel arches, which became known as pontoon. “Ponton”, as it was called, was distinguished by a roomy and comfortable interior and was equipped with a gasoline or diesel engine. Later, the 190 came out with a more luxurious interior and powerful engine, as well as a roadster.

Large “pontoons” with a six-cylinder 220a engine began to be produced in 1954. Two years later, the flagship appeared – 220S with a 105-horsepower engine.

“Pontoons” were exported to 136 countries and glorified the brand throughout the world. A total of 585,250 units of the model were produced.

Along with road cars, the company enthusiastically designed racing cars. The 1950s were marked by a series of high-profile victories for the sporty Mercedes-Benz W196. However, after the tragic death of driver Pierre Levegh and 82 spectators in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mercedes-Benz left the world of sports competition despite winning the championship title.

In 1953, businessman Max Goffman suggested that the company create a road version of the W194 sports car for the American market. The latter featured a futuristic body shape and doors that opened upwards to reduce weight and increase strength.

The premiere of the Mercedes-Benz W198 (300SL) took place in 1954 and meant an unprecedented success: 80% of all cars of the model were delivered to the USA, where they were bought up at auctions. The car was equipped with an engine with a Bosch fuel injection system, which developed 215 hp. and allowed her to accelerate to 250 km / h.

In the late 1950s, a family of cars appeared, called “fins” because of the characteristic body design elements borrowed from American cars. They were distinguished by elegant lines, a spacious interior and a 35% increase in glass area, which improved the visibility of the car.

In 1963, the “Pagoda”, the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, is released – a sports car with a durable interior and a passive safety system. It was especially popular among women, who appreciated the automatic transmission and the ease of driving. A copy of the model, which belonged to John Lennon, was sold in 2001 for almost half a million dollars.

At the end of 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 600 limousine debuted with a 6.3-liter engine with 250 hp, an automatic 4-speed gearbox and air suspension. Despite the length of almost 5.5 meters, the car could accelerate to 205 km / h. This model was used by the Vatican as the Popemobile and purchased by the heads of other countries.

In 1965, the S-Class debuts, the family of the brand’s most prestigious cars after the 600 model. And three years later, new middle-class cars come out – W114 and W115.

In 1972, the S-Class W116 was introduced, which was the first in the world to receive an anti-lock braking system. It was also equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension and a three-speed transmission. Particular attention in the development of the car was given to safety. So, he received a reinforced body structure, high-strength roof and door pillars, a pliable dashboard and a fuel tank located above the rear axle.

In 1974, Mercedes-Benz was the first among foreign automakers to open its representative office in Russia.

In 1979, the new S-class W126 appears, the design of which was developed by the Italian Brunno Sacco. It became truly revolutionary and was distinguished by excellent aerodynamic characteristics.

In 1980, the first SUV of the 460 series appeared, and in 1982, the W201 190 compact sedan debuted, designed to compete with the BMW 3 Series.

In 1994, CJSC Mercedes-Benz Automobiles was founded in Russia, a year later a technical center and a spare parts warehouse were opened in Moscow.

In 1996, the SLK-class debuts – a lightweight short sports car with an all-metal top that stows in the trunk.

In 1999, the company buys the tuning company AMG, which becomes its subdivision for the production of more expensive versions of cars for sports driving.

In 2000, new classes appear, among which there are SUVs that are gaining popularity. So, an elongated GL-class appeared with three rows of seats and a capacity of 7 to 9 people.

In the 2000s, cars of the C, S and CL families were updated, the automaker’s model range was significantly expanded. The company is developing the direction of environmentally friendly transport, as well as improving the technological “stuffing” of its cars in order to continue to occupy a leading position in the automotive market when the next revolution in the development of vehicles comes.