Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3
| Mercedes Benz | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 300 SEL 6.3 | |
| Production period: | 1967-1972 |
| Class : | Upper class |
| Body versions : | limousine |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 6.332 liters (184 kW) |
| Length: | 5000 mm |
| Width: | 1810 mm |
| Height: | 1410 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2865 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1740 kg |
| successor | Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 |
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 was the top model in the W 109 model series . It has the V8 engine and the automatic transmission of the Mercedes 600and with 184 kW (250 hp at 4000 rpm) it achieved the performance potential of top-class sports cars of its time. Its top speed is 220 km / h, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h 6.5 seconds (factory specification). The maximum torque is 500 Nm at 2800 rpm. From the outside, the 6.3 could only be recognized by the wider tires in size 195-14 or 205-14 and the H1 halogen twin headlights. As a result, the fog lights in the light unit were no longer required. Instead, separate round fog lights were installed next to the grille. The price of the new W-109 top model was 39,160 DM at the beginning and at the end of the model series in January 1972 was 47,397 DM, which corresponds to 74,400 and 77,000 euros, respectively, based on current purchasing power and adjusted for inflation. Although in 1968 the model cost more than DM 13,000 more than the 300 SEL with its 2.8 liter engine and was more than twice as expensive as the 280 SE (W 108), the "6.3" met with interest and was sold in quantities of 6,526 units produced.
The 6.3 quickly found its way into touring car racing and rallying . The car also became a popular tuning object, as the engine was specifically designed to be “gentle” despite its high output and experts were able to increase the output relatively easily. The so-called "Rote Sau", a 300 SEL 6.3 used in touring car racing, powered by a V8 engine with over 295 kW bored out to 6.8 liters, was the first model from the tuner AMG to feature new cylinder heads via earlier, simpler engine machining went beyond to improve performance.
Technical specifications
- V8 cylinder
- Bore × stroke: 103 × 95 mm
- Displacement: 6332 cm³
- Compression: 9.0: 1
- Maximum torque: 500 Nm at 2800 rpm
- Output: 250 PS (184 kW) at 4000 rpm
- Tank capacity: 105 liters
- Four-speed automatic transmission
- Rear wheel drive
- Tires: 205 VR 14 L
Test values
Auto, Motor und Sport published the following test values for the 300 SEL 6.3 in 1968:
- 0–80 km / h: 4.3 s
- 0–100 km / h: 6.5 s
- 0–120 km / h: 9.3 s
- 0–140 km / h: 13.0 s
- 0–160 km / h: 17.3 s
- 0–180 km / h: 22.8 s
- 0–200 km / h: 31.0 s
- 1 km with a standing start: 27.1 s
- Top speed: 220 km / h
AMG street version
For the road, AMG offered two tuning levels with 290 and 320 hp. For 70 additional horsepower, extensive changes were made while maintaining the same displacement, as was customary and necessary at the time for costly performance increases: the standard cylinder heads were replaced by improved versions with different combustion chambers, the intake manifold polished, the intake ducts enlarged and polished, the rocker arms machined and Special valve springs, auto-thermal pistons and "sharper" camshafts are built in. The speed level increased by around 700 rpm and the compression rose from 9.0: 1 to 9.9: 1. That was enough for a torque of 541 Nm at 3500 rpm and 320 hp at 4750 rpm.
The patented autothermic pistons from Mahle were among the most advanced of their kind at the time: Special steel strips that were cast into the pistons ensured an optimized, targeted removal of the unwanted heat from the piston, which is generated during combustion and through friction on the cylinder walls; special bores in the grooves of the oil control rings improved the lubrication, reduced friction and improved the dissipation of heat via the oil circuit. This made higher piston speeds and rotational speeds possible.
Auto, Motor und Sport published the following test values for the 320 hp version in April 1971:
- 0-80 km / h: 4.9 s
- 0-100 km / h: 6.7 s
- 0–120 km / h: 8.8 s
- 0–140 km / h: 11.5 s
- 0–160 km / h: 15.1 s
- 0–180 km / h: 19.5 s
- 0-200 km / h: 25.9 s
- 1 km with a standing start: 25.7 s
- Top speed: 235.4 km / h (at 5525 rpm)
Racing
The 6.3 was not intended for racing . The high weight repeatedly led to braking and tire problems during races, but the engine had potential. The first test at the 6-hour race in the Portuguese colony of Macau ended in victory. It was then decided to take part in the 24-hour race of Spa-Francorchamps with three vehicles in July 1969 , two of which got engines drilled out to 6834 cm³ with dry sump lubrication and 350-360 hp, while the third got 310 hp from the 6.3 liter -Motor picked up. The practice times were encouraging, but in unexpectedly high temperatures the narrow tires on the rough new track surface did not last 3 laps, so it was decided to withdraw the cars. This was followed by further developments and intensive test drives on potential routes for the European Touring Car Championship in 1970, which promised good prospects of success; but the racing class that was supposed to start in 1970 was abolished. Therefore, the factory activities were terminated except for a few tests.
Privateers were more successful, in 1971 three private 6.8-liter touring cars were on the road. The metallic silver painted by Klaus Behrmann, which with around 360 hp, automatic and 10- or 12-inch wheels corresponded technically to the latest state of development of the works car, won seven of eight circuit and airfield races.
AMG, on the other hand, used an accident-damaged W 109 as the basis for their red racing car (nicknamed "Rote Sau"), built the engine themselves using Daimler-Benz parts and combined it with a ZF five-speed transmission. At the 24-hour race in Spa in 1971 they drove to class victory and came second in the overall standings. At the end of its career, the car achieved 428 hp, 620 Nm and 265 km / h.
In 1972, the regulations introduced a displacement limitation of five liters.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Sales prospectus . Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ↑ This figure was based on the template: Inflation determined, rounded to 100 EUR and applies to the previous January
- ↑ Oldtimer Markt, issue 7/1998 (July 1998), VF Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Mainz, p. 8 ff .: Der Kraft-Wagen
- ↑ Tom Grünweg, The first AMG model. Renaissance of the "red pig" , Spiegel online, May 19, 2006
- ↑ Auto, Motor und Sport 6/1968 March 16, 1968 Archived copy ( Memento of the original from January 27, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b http://www.mbig.de/fileadmin/Dateien/Clubleben/Ponton-Kurier/1999/PK1999_1_Vorsicht_bissiger_Benz.pdf Oldtimer-Markt 7/98
- ↑ a b Auto, Motor und Sport 9/1971 April 24, 1971 pp. 160–165.
- ↑ Mahle International GmbH (Ed.): Pistons and engine testing . Springer-Verlag, Stuttgart. 2nd edition 2015. ISBN 978-3-658-09557-4 , p. 12 f.
- ↑ http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/fahrberichte/mercedes-benz-300-sel-amg-im-fahrbericht-die-rote-sau-von-amg-1103582.html
- ↑ http ://www. Zwischengas.com/de/FT/fahrzeugberichte/Mercedes-Benz-300-SEL-6-3-Supersportwagen-im-Limousinenkleid.html
