Mercedes-Benz W114

Mercedes-Benz W114/W115
Mercedes-Benz W115 Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Production	1968–1976 1,919,056 built Saloon: 1,852,008 Coupé: 67,048
Assembly	Stuttgart, West Germany Bremen, West Germany Sindelfingen, West Germany East London, South Africa Barcelona, Venezuela (CKD) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Designer	Paul Bracq
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car / Executive car
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupe 4-door limousine
Platform	FR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz W116
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L M115 I4 2.2 L M115 I4 2.3 L M115 I4 2.3 L M180 I6 2.5 L M114 I6 2,746 cc M110 I6 2,778 cc M130 I6 2.0 L OM615 diesel I4 2.2 L OM615 diesel I4 2.4 L OM616 diesel I4 3.0 L OM617 diesel I5
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2,750 mm) 133.9 in (3,400 mm) (Limo)
Length	184.3 in (4,680 mm) 195.5 in (4,970 mm) (US bumpers) 209.8 in (5,330 mm) (Limo)
Width	69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height	56.75 in (1,441 mm)[1]
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W110
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W123

The Mercedes-Benz W114 and W115 models are a series of coupes and sedans introduced in 1968 by Mercedes-Benz, manufactured through model year 1976, and distinguished in the marketplace by nameplates designating their engines.

W114 models featured six-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 230, 250, and 280, while W115 models featured four-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 200, 220, 230, and 240.

All were styled by Paul Bracq, featuring a three-box design. At the time, Mercedes marketed sedans in two size classes, with the W114/W115, positioned below the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Beginning in 1968, Mercedes marketed their model range as New Generation Models,^[2] giving their ID plates the designation '/8' (due to their 1968 Launch year). Because they were the only truly new cars of the so-called 'New Generation' and because of the '/8' or 'slash eight' designation, W114 and W115 models ultimately received the German nickname Strich Acht, loosely translated into the English Slash Eight.

History

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz W115

The W114/W115 models were the first post-war Mercedes-Benz production car to use a newly engineered chassis, not derived from preceding models. The new chassis format of semi-trailing rear arms and ball-joint front end, first displayed in the W114/W115 chassis would be used in all new Mercedes passenger car models until the development of the multi-link rear suspensions of the 1980s. The W108/109 S-Class chassis of the 280S/8, 280SE/8 and 300SEL/8 (and W113 280SL Pagoda) would be the last of the low-pivot swing axle and king pin/double wishbone front ends. The next S-Class -the W116 chassis- having the same engineering of the W114/115.

The W114/W115 models replaced the W110 Fintail models stemming from 1961, and were themselves replaced by the W123 series after 1976.

The Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 was the mid-sized saloon model for Mercedes, positioned below the S-Class. Mercedes also launched its first 5-cylinder diesel engine OM617 in this chassis. It followed heavily in the direction set by the W108/109 S-class, which was launched in 1965 and heralded the new design idiom. The car was designed by French auto designer Paul Bracq who was chief designer at Mercedes-Benz for models from 1957 to 1967, a period that included models such as the Grosser Mercedes-Benz 600. Bracq was also responsible for BMW designs (1970–74) and Peugeot designs (1974–96).^[3]

Mercedes introduced a coupé variant of the W114 in 1969, featuring a longer boot hood and available with either a 2.5 or 2.8 litre six-cylinder engine. While a classic and understated design these generally cost less than the W113-based 280 SL model that ran through 1971, and its successor, the 3.5 or 4.5 litre V8 Mercedes SL R107/C107 (1971–1989) roadster and coupé.^[4] While a 'hard-top' unlike the fully convertible SL, the pillarless design allowed all the windows to be lowered completely for open air motoring. Only 67,048 coupés were manufactured from 1969 to 1976 (vs. 1.852,008 saloons). Of these 24,669 were 280C and 280CE (top of the range), and 42,379 were the lesser 250C and 250CE.

Mercedes-Benz W115 250, w114 technically, saloon: this post facelift version is distinguished by a lower and wider radiator grill, and differing treatment below the single front bumper / fender.

The W114 received a facelift in 1973 - with a lower bonnet-line, lower and broader grill, a single front bumper to replace the double bumpers, lower placement of the headlamps, A-pillar treatment for keeping the side windows clear, removal of the quarter-windows in the front doors, ribbed tail lights to minimize occlusion of the tail lights with road dirt, and larger side mirrors. The interior received inertia reel belts and a new padded steering wheel with a four-hole design.

the Mercedes-Benz W115 in known to be a very durable car. In 2004 a Greek taxi driver donated his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D to the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection with 4.6 million kilometers on the odometer, which is recognised as the Mercedes-Benz with the highest recorded mileage known to date.

Innovations

Mercedes Benz 220 D 1969.

Like its saloon variant this car also boasted advanced technological innovations. 1969 saw the introduction of the Bosch D-jetronic fully electronic fuel injection system into the 250CE. This was the first ever production Mercedes-Benz to use this system.

Other innovations in the W114/W115 models include a center console (a first in a Mercedes sedan), ribbed taillights in 1974. All coupe models used the 6-cylinder engine (and thus were W114s) and were designated with a "C" in the model name.

A Mercedes-Benz 220D pickup on the W115 chassis was built briefly in Argentina in the 1970s.^[5]

North America

1973 Mercedes-Benz W115 220D with US-spec headlights and corresponding side markers and reflectors

1975 Mercedes-Benz W115 280, w114 technically, with US-spec bumpers and sealed-beam headlights

The W114/W115 was introduced in North America in 1968, but with fewer engine choices than elsewhere. These models from the start had unique headlights, utilizing a sealed beam lamp instead of the H4 type used in the European models. Bumpers changed frequently and there were at least three different bumpers used over the production run in NA. For 1974 the bumpers grew significantly due to new DOT requirements.

North American 240Ds were offered with a 4-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, whereas all 5-cylinder 300D models were equipped with the 4-speed automatic without a manual option.

Models

W114

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz W114 250C coupe

1972 Mercedes-Benz W114 250C coupe (with US-Spec bumpers)

W115

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz W115 220D

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz W115 220

W114 & W115 long-wheelbase models

LWB Mercedes-Benz W115

See also

Mercedes-Benz W110 Mercedes-Benz W123

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-Benz W114.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-Benz W115.

• Curbside Classic: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 220D – Ride In Teutonic Luxury (With 65 HP) – a retrospective of the W114
• Strich Acht Club Deutschland (in German)
• Mercedes Benz W114, W115 enthusiast Website and Forum (in English)
• Stroke Eight Site