Mercedes-Benz W 15

Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz Type 170 (1931)
W 15
Sales designation:	Type 170, L 300
Production period:	1931-1936
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Touring cars , roadsters , sedans , convertibles , panel vans
Engines:	Otto engine : 1.7 liters (24 kW)
Length:	3700-3940 mm
Width:	1630 mm
Height:	1650 mm
Wheelbase :	2600 mm
Empty weight :	1050-1200 kg
successor	Mercedes-Benz W 136

The Mercedes-Benz Type 170 is a Mercedes-Benz car and was presented by Daimler-Benz AG at the Paris Motor Show in October 1931 . The car is considered to be the most important design by Hans Nibel , who in 1929 succeeded Ferdinand Porsche as Technical Director (chief designer) at Daimler-Benz.

Type 170

The 170 type is the first Mercedes with independent wheel suspension on all four wheels instead of the rigid axles previously used . At the front, the wheels are suspended from two transverse leaf springs , comparable to double wishbones , and at the rear on a two-joint pendulum axle , the casing tubes of which are supported on the wheel side by two helical springs on the U-profile low frame and are journal-mounted on the differential gear. This construction, also known at the time as the “swing axle”, offered greater driving comfort than the rigid axles, which were still widespread in automotive engineering at the time , due to their lower unsprung mass . They were gradually installed in all Mercedes-Benz automobiles of the time.

A six-cylinder in - line engine with a displacement of 1692 cm³ and an output of 32  hp (23.5 kW) at 3200 rpm serves as the drive. It has a three-speed manual transmission with an additional overdrive gear of 1: 0.73. The car has a top speed of 90 km / h, consumes 11 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers and was very well equipped for the conditions at the time: "oil pressure" four-wheel brake, i.e. hydraulically operated drum brakes on all wheels, central lubrication , water cooling with pump and thermostat and a Ignition and steering lock as an anti- theft device were part of the standard equipment.

Nibel designed a compact and light car - the chassis with engine, drive and axles weighs 750 kg, the complete vehicle between 1050 and 1200 kg, depending on the structure, with a permissible total weight of 1455 kg.

The car was initially only available as a chassis, four-door sedan and Cabriolet C. Both variants were initially supplied as standard with a free-standing case at the rear. From 1935 the case was inserted into the body. Over the years, a two-door sedan, a two-door touring car, a Cabriolet A, a sports roadster and a Kübelwagen for the Reichswehr (from 1935 Wehrmacht ) were added.

Mercedes-Benz Type 170 Cabriolet C (1934)

Data sheet type 170

	Mercedes-Benz type 170
engine	Four-stroke - gasoline engine
Engine type	Six cylinder in - line engine
Displacement	1692 cm³
Compression ratio	5.75-6.0: 1
power	24 kW (32 hp)
Gearbox (standard)	3-speed manual transmission with overdrive
drive	Rear wheel drive
Turning circle	10 m
Wheelbase in mm	2600
Dimensions L × W × H	3940 × 1630 × 1650
Empty weight according to DIN 70020	1050-1200 kg
Top speed, km / h	90
Fuel consumption (combined in l / 100 km)	11

Panel van type L 300

Mercedes-Benz panel van type
L 300

From the spring of 1932 a Mercedes-Benz L 300 panel van was also available. It had type 170 technology and a permitted payload of 300 kg - hence the name. During the global economic crisis , the small car made by Daimler-Benz AG , which otherwise only offered larger and more expensive vehicles, made it possible to survive. The modern design with pendulum axle, coil springs and hydraulic brakes ensured good and safe driving behavior. The series was produced until 1936 and then replaced by the 170 V with a four-cylinder engine. Among other things, the types were 200/230 / 260 D derived from this construction.

Data sheet type L 300

	Mercedes-Benz type L 300
engine	Otto engine (four-stroke)
Engine type	In-line engine
Displacement	1692 cm³
cylinder	6th
Compression ratio	5.75-6.0: 1
power	24 kW (32 hp)
Gearbox (standard)	3-speed manual transmission with overdrive
drive	Rear wheel drive
Turning circle	10 m
Wheelbase in mm	2600
Dimensions L × W × H	3700 × 1630 × 1650
Empty weight according to DIN 70020	1150 kg
Top speed, km / h	90
Fuel consumption (combined in l / 100 km)	11

Construction times and quantities

	Type 170	Type L 300
construction time	1931-1936	1932-1935
number of pieces	13775	126

literature

• Werner Oswald : Mercedes-Benz passenger cars 1886–1986 , Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1987, ISBN 3-613-01133-6 .

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W15  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Entry of types 170 and L 300 in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Wiki