Mercedes-Benz W 31

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Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz G4 in the Auto and Technology Museum Sinsheim
Mercedes-Benz G4 in the Auto and Technology Museum Sinsheim
W 31
Sales designation: G4
Production period: 1934-1939
Class : Off-road vehicle
Body versions : Touring car , limousine
Engines:
Petrol engines : 5.0-5.4 liters
(74-85 kW)
Length: 5360-5720 mm
Width: 1870 mm
Height: 1900 mm
Wheelbase : 3100-4050 mm
Empty weight : 3550 kg

The three-axle Mercedes-Benz G4 off-road vehicle was developed as a heavy off-road vehicle for the Wehrmacht in 1934. After the first attempt in 1926 with the type G1 , Daimler-Benz made another attempt. The model had the internal type designation W 31. The cars were designed as seven-seater touring cars or closed limousines. Because of its high weight of 3.7 tons, the G4 was mainly used to represent on the road.

Vehicle technology

The W 31 is a three-axle car with a body built on a box section frame. There were two body versions, a touring car and a closed sedan. The car has an in-line engine installed lengthways at the front, all axles are driven as standard (axle formula 6 × 6); However, 12 cars were delivered without a switchable front axle drive (axle formula 6 × 4). All axles are rigid axles and are suspended all around on longitudinally mounted semi-elliptical cantilever leaf springs, with the rear wheels on one side sharing a leaf spring package. Tires of size 7.5–15 in (191–381 mm) are mounted on the wheels , the W 31 has single tires  all around. The brake system works hydraulically with suction air support and acts on drum brakes on all wheels. Daimler-Benz installed screw-spindle steering .

The W 31, which was built until 1934, is powered by a liquid-cooled eight-cylinder in-line petrol engine of the Daimler-Benz M24 type with side camshaft and hanging valves . The displacement is 5018 cm 3 , the nominal power is given as 100 HP (74 kW). The torque is transmitted to the axles via a single-disc dry clutch and a partially synchronized (II-IV) four-speed gearbox with a countershaft. The axle differentials can be locked. The top speed is 67 km / h.

history

The W 31 was originally developed for military purposes, but its high mass of more than 3500 kg and its high price made it unsuitable as a military vehicle. A total of only 57 units were built, only eleven of which were delivered to the Wehrmacht. The W 31 was used to chauffeur high-ranking politicians of the Nazi regime in maneuvering areas and when visiting occupied countries and rear areas of the front.

From 1937 a more powerful engine was installed. It has a displacement of 5252 cm³ and develops 115 hp (84.5 kW). The performance remained the same - limited by the type of off-road tires. 16 vehicles were built in 1937 and 1938.

In 1938 there was an even bigger engine. It had a displacement of 5401 cc, but only delivers 110 hp (81 kW). After the Reich Chancellery ordered some vehicles for Adolf Hitler and his staff - used as a commander's car, for example during the occupation of Austria and the annexation of what is known as the rest of the Czech Republic - Daimler-Benz was able to sell another 30 cars in the last year of production in 1939.

Of the 57 cars, at least three still exist in their authentic condition, one of which is in the Auto and Technology Museum in Sinsheim (Germany). Another G4, originally a gift from Hitler to General Franco , is in the automobile collection of the Spanish royal family .

Another is in Hollywood . In the series A Cage Full of Heroes he appears in the opening credits and also in some scenes of the series. This vehicle is also featured in other Hollywood films, mainly war films.

Technical specifications

Technical data of the Mercedes-Benz W 31
Mercedes Benz G4 (1934-36) G4 (1937-38) G4 (1938-39)
Engine:  8-cylinder in-line engine (four-stroke), longitudinally at the front
Displacement:  5018 cc 5252 cc 5401 cc
Bore × stroke:  86 × 108 mm 88 × 108 mm 88 x 111 mm
Performance at 1 / min:  74 kW
(100 PS)
at 3400
85 kW
(115 PS)
at 3400
81 kW
(110 PS)
at 3400
Max. Torque at 1 / min:  approx. 283 Nm at 1400 approx. 284.5 Nm at 1400 - / -
Compression:  5.6: 1 5.2: 1
Mixture preparation:  1 double carburetor Solex 40 MMDVS 1 double carburetor
Valve control:  1 side camshaft, drive via spur gears
Cooling:  Water cooling
Transmission:  4-speed manual transmission ZF-Aphon G 35 with countershaft
Driven wheels:  all four rear wheels
Front suspension:  Rigid axle, semi-springs
Rear suspension:  2 rigid axles, 1 semi-spring on each side for 2 wheels
Steering:  Screw steering
Track width front / rear:  1620/1570/1570 mm
Wheelbase:  1./2. Axis / 2nd / 3rd Axis / 1st / 3rd Axis
3100/950/4050 mm
Dimensions:  5360–5720 × 1870 × 1900 mm
Turning circle:  17 m
Empty weight:  3550 kg
Top speed:  67 km / h (depending on the tires)
Consumption (L / 100 km):  28 (road) / 38 (terrain)
Number of pieces:  11 16 30th

literature

Individual evidence

  1. Archived copy ( Memento of the original from January 4, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kfz-online.net
  2. a b Werner Oswald: Motor vehicles and tanks of the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht and Bundeswehr , Motorbuchverlag, Stuttgart 1970, p. 57
  3. ^ Werner Oswald: Motor vehicles and tanks of the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht and Bundeswehr , Motorbuchverlag, Stuttgart 1970, p. 58
  4. IMCDB (Internet Movie Cars Data-Base) Use of the Mercedes G4 in films (viewed May 9, 2011)

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 31  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files