Mercedes-Benz W 138

Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz 260 D (1938)
W 138
Sales designation:	260 D
Production period:	1936-1940
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Limousine , Pullman limousine , landaulet , cabriolet
Engines:	Mercedes-Benz OM 138 Diesel, 2.6 liters, (33 kW)
Length:	4550-4790 mm
Width:	1630-1710 mm
Height:	1580-1610 mm
Wheelbase :	3050 mm
Empty weight :	1525-1700 kg
successor	Mercedes-Benz W 136 170 D.

Mercedes-Benz W 138 was the internal name of Daimler-Benz for the type Mercedes-Benz 260 D . The first Mercedes-Benz passenger cars with diesel engine ( four-cylinder - inline engine ) was established in February 1936 in Berlin at the 26th  International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition (IAMA), together with the two models 170 V and 170 H presented.

The W 138 and Hanomag Rekord Diesel were the first two passenger car models with a diesel engine worldwide.

development

As early as autumn 1933, Daimler-Benz had developed a diesel engine and installed it in various Mannheim test vehicles. The six-cylinder in-line engine had a displacement of 3818 cm³ and developed over 80 hp (59 kW) at 2800 rpm. However, the considerable vibrations caused the frame to break at high speeds, so that the concept was rejected again.

Mercedes-Benz Type 260 D (pilot series, 1936–1937)

Then a four-cylinder engine with 2.6 liter engine was developed and in 1936 about 170 Pullman - Landaulets type Mercedes-Benz 230 ( W 21 installed). The overhead engine type OM 138 with a displacement of 2545 cm³ developed 45 HP (33 kW) and enabled a top speed of 90 km / h. The abbreviation "OM" means "Oel-Motor", an engine that runs on light oil / diesel and is still used today for the diesel engines of Daimler AG . The rear wheels were driven via a four-speed gearbox (with overdrive 1: 0.73) . All four wheels have hydraulically operated drum brakes and are individually suspended : at the rear on a pendulum axle with coil springs , at the front on two transversely installed leaf springs .

All of these vehicles were used as taxis and worked well.

Mercedes-Benz Type 260 D (1937–1940)

Mercedes-Benz 260 D Pullman sedan (1938)

When the 230 model changed from the W 21 to the W 143 in 1937, its chassis and body were also used for the diesel. Thus, the diesel was no longer only available in taxis with a long chassis, but also in four-seater sedans and convertibles. At the same time, the cars received a new four-speed transmission without an overdrive. The top speed increased to 94 km / h.

Due to the war , the production of diesel cars was discontinued in 1940 and only started again in 1949 with the 170 D model .

literature

• Werner Oswald : Mercedes-Benz passenger cars 1886–1984 , Motorbuch, Stuttgart 1984, ISBN 3-87943-976-1 ; 4th, updated edition: Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars 1886–1986, Motorbuch, Stuttgart 1987, ISBN 3-613-01133-6 .
• Werner Oswald: Deutsche Autos 1920-1945 , Motorbuch, Stuttgart 1996, ISBN 3-87943-519-7 .

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 138  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Mercedes-Benz 260 D Pullman sedan. Daimler AG, accessed on April 9, 2015 : "The Mercedes-Benz 260 D is the world's first series-produced diesel passenger car."