Mercedes-Benz C111: Pioneering Innovation in Automotive History

Rare ONES - The journey of the Wankel engine began in the 1920s with a German engineer named Felix Wankel, who developed what we now know as the rotary engine. His innovation was ahead of its time, and by 1929, Wankel had secured a patent for his unique engine design. During this period, he was working with the NSU car company, where his invention was refined and further developed.

Three generations of the Mercedes-Benz C111 research car series, ie 1969 Mercedes Benz C111-I (left), 1970 Mercedes Benz C111-II (middle), and 1969 Mercedes Benz C111-I first prototype (right) posed together. (Picture from: Pinterest)

In the years that followed, NSU saw the potential in this revolutionary engine and licensed the design to several major car manufacturers across the globe. Automotive giants such as AMC, Mercedes-Benz, Citroën, General Motors, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota were among the companies that experimented with this technology. 

According to Nasshan, Mercedes-Benz decided to test the new engine in a small sports car, internally designated as C101, by the end of 1968. This led to a significant moment in 1969 when the company officially introduced the first of its Wankel engined C111 series cars, a move that would forever tie the rotary engine to the German luxury carmaker’s history.

Mercedes-Benz’s C111 series emerged as a key platform for the company’s engine experimentation. Alongside the Wankel engine, the company tested other advanced engine technologies such as diesel engines and turbochargers. The C111 wasn’t just about what was under the hood, though. The car’s design featured futuristic elements, including gullwing doors and luxurious interiors with leather trims and air conditioning, making it a standout in automotive innovation. These features underscored the brand’s commitment to blending cutting-edge technology with luxury, setting a standard for what high-performance cars could be.

1970 Mercedes Benz C111-II used a four-rotor Wankel engine. (Picture from: DriveTribe)

The C111 series was a series of experimental cars produced between the 1960s and 1970s, starting with the C111-I, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1969. With its futuristic design and three-rotor Wankel engine, the C111-I garnered significant attention from the public and the automotive industry alike. This high-performance car was a visual representation of the research Mercedes-Benz had been conducting since 1966. It also marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the brand's design language, which would later influence its production models.

1978 Mercedes Benz C111-III Rekordwagen used a diesel engine with five pistons. (Picture from: Mercedes-Benz)

Not long after, in March 1970, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the C111-II at the Geneva Motor Show. This updated version featured a four-rotor Wankel engine designed for more practical, everyday use. The response to the C111-II was overwhelming, with demand for a sports car from Stuttgart reaching new heights. Despite this, Mercedes-Benz chose to keep the C111 series as a research project, never moving the cars into mass production.

Instead of moving forward with production, Mercedes-Benz shifted its focus to record-breaking vehicles built from 1976 onwards. The C111-II D was the first of these vehicles, equipped with a 3-liter, 5-cylinder engine that featured turbocharging and air-cooling. The car, manufactured in June 1976, quickly proved its prowess on the test track in Nardò, Italy, where it set 16 world records. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz in terms of performance and innovation.

1979 Mercedes Benz C111-IV Rekordwagen used a 4.5-liter V8 petrol engine. (Picture from: FanMercedesBenz)

In 1978, Mercedes-Benz introduced the C111-III, which ran on a turbo diesel engine. This model, aerodynamically perfected, went on to set a world speed record in Nardò, reaching an astonishing 321.9 kph in April 1978. The following year, in May 1979, the C111-IV 'Rekordwagen' took things even further, achieving a world record speed of 403.978 kph with its V8 petrol engine. These achievements solidified Mercedes-Benz’s status as a leader in both automotive engineering and performance.

The significance of the C111 family extended beyond its technological advancements. In 2019, Mercedes-Benz celebrated "125 Years of Motorsport," and the C111 research car series played a prominent role in marking this milestone. The legacy of these experimental vehicles continues to inspire the automotive world, highlighting the company's relentless pursuit of innovation.

The story of the Wankel engine and the C111 series is a reminder of the power of experimentation and the pursuit of excellence. While these cars never entered mass production, they left an indelible mark on automotive history, showcasing what was possible when bold ideas were combined with engineering prowess. Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to pushing boundaries has not only shaped its past but continues to influence its future. *** [EKA [12042020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MERCEDES-BENZ | FANMERCEDESBENZ | DRIVETRIBE | NASSHAN ]

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