Mercedes-Benz W114

Mercedes-Benz W114/W115

Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Production	1968–1976 1,919,056 built Saloon: 1,852,008 Coupé: 67,048
Assembly	East London, South Africa Sindelfingen, Germany Barcelona, Venezuela (CKD) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W110
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W123
Class	Executive car
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupe
Platform	FR layout
Engine	2.3L I6 2.5L M114 I6 2.8L M110 I6 2.0L I4 2.2L M115 I4 2.3L M115 I4 2.2L Diesel OM615 I4 2.4L Diesel OM616 I4 3.0L Diesel OM617 I5
Wheelbase	108 in (2,700 mm)
Length	184.25 in (4,680 mm) sedan/saloon and coupe with Euro-spec bumpers
Width	69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height	56.75 in (1,441 mm)[1]
Related	Mercedes-Benz W116
Designer	Paul Bracq

The New Generation Models

Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 coupe

Mercedes-Benz 220 (W115) saloon

Mercedes-Benz 250 (W114) saloon: this post facelift version is distinguished by a flatter radiator grill and differing treatment below the front bumper / fender.

1972 250C

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.

W114 models featured six-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 230, 250, and 280, while W115 models featured four-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 200, 220, 230, and 240.

All were styled by Paul Bracq, featuring a three-box design. At the time, Mercedes marketed sedans in two size classes, with the W114/W115, positioned below the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Beginning in 1968, Mercedes marketed their model range as New Generation Models,^[2] giving their ID plates the designation '/8' (due to their 1968 Launch year). Because they were the only truly new cars of the so-called 'New Generation' and because of the '/8' or 'slash eight' designation, W114 and W115 models ultimately received the German nickname Strich Acht, loosely translated into the English Slash Eight.

History

The 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. The W108/109 S-Class chassis of the 280S/8, 280SE/8 and 300SEL/8 (and W113 280SL Pagoda) would be the last of the low-pivot swing axle and king pin/double wishbone front ends. The next S-Class -the W116 chassis- having the same engineering of the W114/115.

The W114/W115 models replaced the W110 Fintail models stemming from 1961, and were themselves replaced by the W123 series after 1976.

The Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 was the mid-sized saloon model for Mercedes, positioned below the S-Class. Mercedes also launched its first 5-cylinder diesel engine OM617 in this chassis. It followed heavily in the direction set by the W108/109 S-class, which was launched in 1965 and heralded the new design idiom. The car was designed by French auto designer Paul Bracq who was chief designer at Mercedes-Benz for models from 1957 to 1967, a period that included models such as the Grosser Mercedes-Benz 600. Bracq was also responsible for BMW designs (1970–74) and Peugeot designs (1974–96).^[3]

The W114 received a facelift in 1973 - with a lower bonnet-line, lower and wider grill, lower placement of the headlamps, A-pillar treatment for keeping the side windows clear, ribbed tail lights to minimize occlusion of the tail lights with road dirt, and larger side mirrors. The interior received inertia reel belts and a new padded steering wheel with a 4-hole design.

Mercedes introduced a coupé variant in 1969 carrying the nameplate '250C/CE' or '280C/CE' and featuring a longer boot hood and a 2.8 litre 6-cylinder engine. It is considered by enthusiasts to be one of the finest classics of the 1960s and 1970s, although this is not reflected in the prices of these cars which is generally less than its more popular contemporaries the Mercedes SL R107/C107 roadster and coupé (1971–1989) which were powered with the 3.5L or 4.5L V8 under the hood, and a fraction of price commanded by the Pagoda models^[4] (1963–1971). While a 'hard-top' unlike the fully convertible SL, the pillarless design allowed all the windows could be lowered completely for open air motoring. Only 67,048 coupés were manufactured from 1969 to 1976 (vs. 1.852,008 saloons). Of these 24,669 were "280C", "280CE" (top of the range) and 42,379 "250C" and "250CE".

Innovations

Like its saloon variant this car also boasted advanced technological innovations. 1969 saw the introduction of the Bosch D-jetronic fully electronic fuel injection system into the 250CE. This was the first ever production Mercedes-Benz to use this system.

Other innovations in the W114/W115 models include a center console (a first in a Mercedes sedan), ribbed taillights in 1974. All coupe models used the 6-cylinder engine (and thus were W114s) and were designated with a "C" in the model name.

A Mercedes-Benz 220 D pickup on the W115 chassis was built briefly in Argentina in 1970s.^[5]

North America

The W114/W115 was introduced in North America in 1968, but with fewer engine choices than elsewhere. These models from the start had unique headlights, utilizing a sealed beam lamp instead of the H4 type used in the European models. Bumpers changed frequently and there were at least three different bumpers used over the production run in NA. For 1974 the bumpers grew significantly due to new DOT requirements.

North American 240Ds were offered with a 4-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, whereas all 5-cylinder 300D models were equipped with the 4-speed automatic without a manual option.

Models

W114

Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine			Number built[6]
			Displacement	Model	Type
W114.015	1968–1976	230, 230.6	2.3 L	M180	I6	221,783
W114.010	1968–1972	250	2.5 L	M114	I6	78,303
W114.011	1972–1976	250 2.8	2.8 L	M130	I6	34,061
W114.021/022	1969–1976	250C/CE	2.5 L	M130	I6	42,379
W114.060/062	1972–1976	280/E	2.8 L	M110	I6	67,373
W114.073/072	1972–1976	280C/CE	2.8 L	M110	I6	24,669

W115

1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D (W115)

1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D with US-Spec Bumpers

Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine			Number built
			Displacement	Model	Type
W115.015	1968–1976	200	2.0 L	M121	I4	288,785
W115.115	1968–1976	200D	2.0 L	OM615	Diesel I4	339,927
W115.010	1968–1973	220	2.2 L	M115	I4	128,732
W115.110	1968–1976	220D	2.2 L	OM615	Diesel I4	420,270
W115.017	1973–1976	230.4	2.3 L	M115	I4	87,765
W115.117	1973–1976	240D	2.4 L	OM616	Diesel I4	131,319
W115.114	1974–1976	240D 3.0/300D	3.0 L	OM617	Diesel I5	53,690

W115 long-wheelbase models

Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine			Number built.[7]
			Displacement	Model	Type
W115.112	1968–1973	200D Lang (LWB saloon)	2.0 L	OM615	Diesel I4	4,027
W115.119	1973–1976	240D Lang (LWB saloon)	2.4 L	OM616	Diesel I4	3,655
W115.017	1968–1976	230 Lang (LWB saloon)	2.3 L	M180	I6	2,218 cars + 2,934 chassis

See also

References

1. ^ Daily Express Motor Show Review 1975 Cars: Page 27 (Mercedes-Benz 240D). October 1974. 
2. ^ Taylor, James. The Mercedes-Benz Since 1945: The 1960s (Mercedes-Benz Since 1945), Motorbooks International (June 1993) ISBN 0900549963, ISBN 978-0900549960
3. ^ "Here's the greatest car painter, Paul Bracq !". Idcenter.co.jp. 1933-12-13. http://www.idcenter.co.jp/en/bracq/paul.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-01. 
4. ^ "Mercedes Benz Valuation and Pricing Guide". Uniquecarsandparts.com.au. http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/price_guide_mercedes_benz.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-01. 
5. ^ www.mercedes-benz.argentina/history accessed 12 November 2008 (Spanish)
6. ^ Oswald, Werner (1. Auflage 2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5. 
7. ^ Rohde, Michael; Koch, Detlev (2000). Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. pp. 106–107. ISBN 3-613-02019-X. 

External links

• Strich Acht Club Deutschland (in German)
• Mercedes Benz W114, W115 enthusiast Website and Forum (in English)
• Stroke Eight Site