Mercedes-Benz W111/220SE
Mercedes-Benz W111 is a generation of upper class limousines, presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1959. Shortly afterwards debuted s W112 and W110 models, based on a similar solution… Some solutions design and style.
Series replaced the W111 offer the popular "Ponton" (W105/W180/W128), so driven was the same, 6-cylinder engine (type M180/M127). Series W112 and was considered more luxurious – was stronger, the 6-cylinder engine, extended about 10 cm body and was equipped as standard with air suspension. Models of area code while the W110 were addressed to poorer customers – fueled them 4-cylinder engines (including diesels), body deprived were many chrome finish "hello".
A common feature of all three models were characteristic of the end edges of the tailgate. The Germans called this stylistic Heckflosse (German heck – back, Flosse – fin), english and – Fintail (called tail – rear fin – fin). These "fins at the back", designed by a team of Karl Wilfert, alluded to the style of contemporary American cruisers (including Cadillac, Buick Le Sabre). This was to facilitate the debut of Mercedes cars in the USA.
W111, although it was not a completely new design (suspension and engine "inherited" the "pontoon"), contained several innovative solutions. Most of them were crumple zones that absorb accident energy, thus allowing to maintain the rigidity of the cabin.
In 1959 the production was implemented:
The letter "b" in the naming of the first series of models W111 refers to the letter "a" appearing in the names of (some of) the predecessor models – "Ponton". By that time engineers Mercedes W111 was called simply "Ponton B". The letter, however, there was only formally – never Stamped next to the emblems on the tailgate (there’s only 220, 220S or 220SE).
All three models were powered by inline 6-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 2195 cm ³, with varied system of fuel supply – 220 and 220S were equipped with two carburetors Solexa (Type M180), 220SE and – in the injection pump Bosch (Type M127 ). The standard engines are coupled with a manual transmission. In models 220S/SE surcharge was available four-speed automatic.
Versions differed standard equipment and appearance. 220 was the poorest variant. From their "richer" brothers differed among others:
In 1963 W111 has undergone a few minor changes. These included:
Production of the first series W111 end "was taken up in 1965. Produced almost 297 000 copies.
In 1968, the market appeared successor to W111 – Mercedes-Benz W108, so the reduced palette of unfashionable already Heckflossów to one model
In addition to the engine and a few stylistic details, did not differ on the 220S.
230S was powered by the engine of greater than 220S, cylinder capacity and other fuel supply system – two carburetors Zenith (but still – Type M180). Discrete changes in the body are:
Within three years of production, the factory in Sindelfingen left more than 41 000 units 230S, and in the last year of manufacture – only 80