Mercedes Knight

The Mercedes Knight models were launched by Technical Director Paul Daimler from 1910. To this end, acquired Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft 's patents by the American Charles Yale Knight (1868-1940) which for an internal combustion engine, gas exchange not by valves, but by sleeve valve can be controlled.

These engines run more quietly than valves fitted with valves and deliver high torque even at low speeds . However, high speeds cannot be achieved due to the large moving masses: Sleeve slides are much heavier than valves. This limited the top speed of the cars to approx. 85 km / h with the technical level of transmission construction at the time. In addition, Knight motors are sensitive to inadequate maintenance and lubrication, as the thermally highly stressed sleeve slides then eat.

DMG launched three series, but only the middle one was successful.

Mercedes-Knight 16/40 hp, 16/45 hp, 16/50 hp

Mercedes-Knight 16/40 hp (1911-1913)

This first Mercedes-Knight model has wheelbases from 2320 to 3240 mm and is approx. 4700 mm long. It was presented at the Paris Motor Show in December 1910 and went into series production from the beginning of 1911.

The car is equipped with a four-cylinder block engine that produces 45 hp (33 kW) at 1750 rpm from a displacement of 4080 cm³. developed. The compression is 4: 1. The engine is equipped with double ignition (supplied by magnet and battery) and has a spur gear-driven control crankshaft installed on the side, which actuates the sleeve slide via short connecting rods.

The rear wheels, which are attached to a rigid axle and suspended from semi-elliptical leaf springs , are driven via a four-speed gearbox (gear lever on the right outside of the car) . The front axle is also rigid and hangs on semi-elliptical leaf springs. The car is equipped with a mechanical brake that acts on the cardan shaft .

With a rear axle ratio of 3: 1, the cars reach a top speed of 80 km / h.

Mercedes-Knight 16/45 hp (1913-1923)

In mid-1913, the type designation was changed and the model has since been offered as a 16/45 hp .

After 1916, only this medium series was continued. The 16/45 HP engine received a higher compression of 5: 1; however, its performance remained the same. From 1922 the car was equipped with cable brakes for the front wheels in addition to the cardan brake.

Mercedes-Knight 16/50 hp (1924)

In 1924, the engine's output was increased to 50 hp (37 kW).

The customers were obviously overwhelmed with the high maintenance requirements of the Knight engines. There were repeated complaints that cost DMG a lot of money and also damaged the reputation of Mercedes automobiles. In 1925 the consequence was drawn from this and, after only 2 units had been built, the last series was also discontinued in 1925 without replacement.

Mercedes-Knight 10/30 hp (1913-1915)

The slightly smaller car was available with a wheelbase of 3105 mm or 3240 mm and has a total length of approx. 4500 mm.

Its engine is of the same design as that of the first model, but has a displacement of only 2610 cm³ and develops 30 hp (22 kW) at 1750 rpm. The car reaches 70 km / h.

Mercedes-Knight 25/65 hp (1913-1915)

Parallel to the smaller model, a larger model with a 3620 mm or 3645 mm wheelbase was also offered. It has a total length of approx. 4900 mm.

This car also has a four-cylinder engine of the same design, but with a displacement of 6330 cm³. It develops 65 hp (48 kW) at 1750 rpm and a compression ratio of 4.6: 1. This brings the vehicle to 85 km / h. The cardan brake is water-cooled.

Production numbers

Mercedes-Knight 10/30 PS: approx. 200 pieces
Mercedes-Knight 16/40 PS & 16/45 PS: 5350 pieces, plus Mercedes-Knight 16/50 PS: 296 pieces
Mercedes-Knight 25/65 PS: 105 pieces

Mercedes-Knight 17/50 hp

For the medium-sized model presented in 1911, an engine with 4400 cm³ displacement was designed in 1912, developing an output of 50 hp (37 kW). However, there were only three test cars.