About Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz - brand history

The world's oldest manufacturer trucks(since 1896) and diesel cars (since 1924) Daimler-Chrysler AG has existed in its current form since 1998. Then German concern Daimler-Benz AG (since 1926) took over the third largest American manufacturer Chrysler Motors (since 1924), creating the world's fourth largest transnational concern. DC is the third largest truck manufacturer in the world. The largest German automotive division manufactures all types of trucks and commercial vehicles gross weight from 2.7 to 33 tons.

The first half of the 90s was marked by the struggle to reduce the toxicity of exhaust gases and the preparation of fundamentally new trucks. Models of the light series "T2" ("609/814") and the new medium range "LK" ("711/1517"), having received "clean" diesel engines with a capacity of 105-170 "horses", became known as "Ekoven" (Ecovan) and "Ecoliner" (Ecoliner), respectively. Heavy series "MK" and "SK" (models "1417/3553") were produced in 55 basic versions (4 × 2 / 8 × 8 with engines with a capacity of 165-530 "horses", with six types of cabs. Since 1992, on saddle tractors "SK1844 / 1944LS" installed a more spacious and comfortable cabin "Eurocab" with an internal height of 2110 millimeters.

Since the mid-90s, Mercedes-Benz began a complete replacement of its entire European program. In early 1996, the MB100 series was replaced by the Vito front-wheel drive range with a gross weight of 2.6 tons (108D / 114 models) with transverse engines of 79-143 horses. In January 1995, at the Brussels Motor Show, the Sprinter delivery vehicles of the new light TIN range were presented, awarded the Van of the Year title. By 2001, it consisted of several dozen options from "208D" to "616CDJ" (79-156 hp) with bodies with a capacity of 7-13.4 m3.

The T2 series in 1997 was replaced by the Vario range with a gross weight of up to 7.5 tons (512D / 815D models) with low-toxic diesel engines of 115-136 horsepower, disc brakes and ABS. The title "Truck of 1997" received a new heavy range "SKN" or "Aktros", consisting of targets "1831/4157" with a V6 and V8 engine (313-571 hp) with electronic control, air suspension, disc brakes, ABS and ASR, three types of cabins with an internal height of up to 1960 millimeters. In 1999, the title "Truck of the Year" was given to the Atego car of a new medium range (models "712/2628") with engines of 122-280 "horses" and 14 wheelbase sizes.

In 1998, the NAV plant began manufacturing Ekonik low-frame chassis with a 4-seat cab, diesel or gas engines, automatic transmission and electronically controlled air suspension. At the end of the 20th century, Mercedes-Benz remained the world's largest truck manufacturer. It owns 14 factories in Germany and 25 enterprises worldwide. The volume of annual production exceeds 420 thousand cars. On May 7, 1998, Daimler-Benz strengthened its position by merging with the American Chrysler Corporation and creating a new transnational concern Daimler-Chrysler (Daimler Chrysler).

(Western Star). In the 21st century, its staff reached 273,216 people (as of December 31, 2008), and the total income was 1.4 billion Euros (2008).

©. Photos taken from publicly available sources.

Mercedes or Mercedes-Benz is one of the most popular premium car brands. There is a popular belief that there is a car, there is a good car, and there is a Mercedes. This is true. The company has managed to establish itself as a really solid manufacturer best cars in the world. Moreover, the company produces not only cars, but also buses and other vehicles. Today Mercedes-Benz is owned by the German giant Daimler AG.

History of the Mercedes brand

The history of the Mercedes brand began in 1926. You can even name a birthday - June 28th. It was in 1926 that two companies - Mercedes and Benz, produced by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, merged into a single concern, Daimler-Benz.

If we talk about the birth of the first Mercedes car, then this took place back in 1886. Then Karl Benz created a three-wheeled self-propelled wagon that had a gasoline engine. In the same year, the author received a patent for his invention. The first three-wheeled vehicle was put into mass production.

Benz, seven years later, lost the championship to Daimler. However, Karl does not stop: he creates a four-wheeled car, which also becomes serial.

Daimler and Benz become competitors, however, their competition can be called good. Damler's company turned out to be more stable and therefore successful, so in 1926 Mercedes began to be produced under the auspices of this manufacturer.

The first full-fledged car "Mercedes-35PS" had a four-cylinder engine with a volume of 5913 cubic meters. see He had a classic arrangement of the main units and a very original beautiful appearance. A year later, the world saw a more advanced design, which was called the Mercedes-Simplex. The lineup expanded rapidly.

The merger of the companies in 1926 led to an optimal distribution of capacities. Ferdinand Porsche led the combined company and contributed to the effective use of the knowledge and experience of designers. The production program has been completely updated. The effect was not long in coming: the new six-cylinder engine of 6240 cc. cm and the ability to reach speeds of up to 145 km / h gave Mercedes the nickname "death trap".

World War II was a test for Daimler-Benz. At this time, the company is mastering the production of trucks. In parallel, cars were also produced, and different classes. They were very fond of the German elite.

Despite the success of the company, several factories were destroyed and had to be rebuilt after the war. The restoration was successful and Mercedes-Benz started producing new cars. Now the company produced cars, trucks, and minibuses. Mercedes-Benz has always been distinguished by the fact that it was able to successfully combine the classic foundation and the latest achievements.

The current state of the Mercedes brand

It seems that nothing is impossible for Mercedes. However, there is one area that the company did not submit to for a long time: this is the closed world of Gran Turismo. This did not work out for Mercedes until 2004. When Daimler acquired a 40% stake in McLaren, the dream of Mercedes management came true.

In Formula 1, successes were modest at first - then things moved forward. Moreover, in 2013, the brand was already valued at $31.9 billion - this is the second indicator among car manufacturing brands (the first is held by the Toyota brand) and eleventh among all brands in the world. As before, Mercedes has a classic basis, equipped with cutting-edge innovations. At the same time, the price of a car is often very affordable for the average consumer, although the manufacturer also has exclusive models - for the elite.

Mercedes-Benz is a brand of passenger cars premium class, trucks, buses and other vehicles of the German automaker Daimler AG. It is one of the most recognizable automotive brands in the world. The headquarters of Mercedes-Benz is located in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

The history of this brand is made up of the stories of two famous car brands- "Mercedes", produced by the German company "Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft", and "Benz", which were built by the company of the same name. Both companies developed quite successfully independently, and in 1926 they merged into the new Daimler-Benz concern.

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In 1886, a three-wheeled self-propelled cart with a gasoline engine was created. In the same year, on January 29, its creator, Karl Benz, received a patent for this invention (No. 37435). The world's first three-wheeled car is put into mass production.

Seven years later, having lost the championship to Daimler, Karl Benz creates his four-wheeled car, and next year an even more advanced design under the strange name "Bicycle" goes into series.

In 1901, shortly after the release of the new Mercedes-35PS by Daimler, it becomes clear how far Benz is lagging behind progress. To catch up, the shareholders invite French engineer Marius Barbara to join the company. Due to technical disagreements, Karl Benz leaves the company he founded. It soon becomes clear that the Frenchman did not live up to his expectations. Following the logic that German cars should be made by German hands, Fritz Erle was invited to the company for the position of chief engineer. This idea also fails. Only with the arrival of the talented engineer Hans Nibel to the company, things gradually begin to go uphill. In 1909, having created a number of excellent cars, the company built the most famous racing car of the time, the Blitzen Benz, with a 200 horsepower engine and a volume of 21,594 cm3.

In the post-war years, many new models were created, most of which were successfully produced until the mid-twenties. In total, from the start of production in 1886 until the merger with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in 1926, Benz produced 47,555 vehicles, including cars, trucks and omnibuses.

Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft

In 1890, Gottlieb Daimler founded the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft company in the Bad Cannstatt (Stuttgart) region, deciding to produce a four-wheeled car created four years earlier by himself and, who took an active part, Wilhelm Maybach. After a series of not very successful attempts, which nevertheless found their enthusiastic customers, the designer V. Maybach managed to create a successful model in 1901. At the insistence of the consul of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Nice and part-time head of the Daimler representative office in France, Emil Jellinek, the car was named after the Virgin Mary of Mercy (fr. Maria de las Mercedes (from the Latin "merces" - "gifts")), in honor of which all his children are also named, including the notorious daughter of the consul Mercedes, and property (yachts, houses, a hotel and a casino).

The first Mercedes-35PS had a four-cylinder engine with a working volume of 5913 cm3, a classic arrangement of the main units and a beautiful (at that time) appearance. A year later, the world saw a more advanced design called the Mercedes-Simplex. In addition, the range has expanded. The most famous representatives of this series bore the proud names of Mercedes-40 / 45PS and Mercedes-65PS, having engines of 6785 cm3 and, accordingly, 9235 cm3, which allowed speeds up to 90 km / h.

Before the First World War, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft managed to produce a wide range of its cars with different engines (from 1568 cm3 to 9575 cm3), designed for different consumers, including luxury, practically silent cars, using engines with valveless gas distribution, manufactured according to the patent of the American company Knight.

Immediately after the war, Paul Daimler begins to experiment with a compressor that allows one and a half times to increase engine power. Ferdinand Porsche, who came to the post of chief engineer in 1923, brought the experiments to their logical conclusion, creating in 1924 one of the most outstanding cars in the world - the Mercedes-24/100/140PS with an excellent chassis and a six-cylinder compressor engine with a volume of 6240 cm3 and a power of 100 - 140 horsepower.

By 1926, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft had produced a total of 147,961 vehicles in all of its factories, with peak production being reached in 1918. Despite all the difficulties of this last war year, 24,690 cars were produced.

Competitors united

After the merger in 1926 of Daimler and Benz new the Daimler-Benz concern was able to effectively use the experience and knowledge of the designers of both companies, which were led by Ferdinand Porsche. He completely updated production program, based on the latest Daimler models, now produced under the Mercedes-Benz brand. The first new Porsche development in 1926 was the compressor series, which included the 24/100/140 model with a six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6240 cm3. For its great power and speed (up to 145 km / h), it was nicknamed the "death trap". It became the basis for the more famous S series, which consisted of the S (Sport), SS (Supersport), SSK (Supersport Kurz - supersport short) and SSKL (Supersport Kurz leicht - supersport short light) models.

In 1928, Porsche left Daimler-Benz and Hans Nibel took his place. Under his leadership, Mannheim 370 cars with a six-cylinder engine with a working volume of 3.7 liters were produced. and Nürburg 500 with an eight-cylinder 4.9-liter unit, based on the latest Porsche developments.

In 1930, the “Big Mercedes” (Ger. Großer Mercedes) or Mercedes-Benz 770 (W07) appeared with an eight-cylinder 200-horsepower engine with a displacement of 7655 cm3 with a supercharger. In 1931, the company made its debut in the sector small cars, where it was represented by the very successful Mercedes 170 with a six-cylinder engine, a working volume of 1692 cm³ and independent front wheel suspension.

In 1933, the passenger car Mercedes-Benz 200 and sports Mercedes-Benz 380 with 2.0- and 3.8-liter engines. The last of them was equipped with a supercharger and had a capacity of 140 horsepower. Based on the sports model, in 1934 they created the Mercedes-Benz 500K with a 5-liter engine, which became the basis for the more famous large compressor car Mercedes-Benz 540K two years later. In 1934-1936, the company released a light Mercedes-Benz 130 with a four-cylinder 26-horsepower rear-mounted engine with a working volume of only 1308 cm3, followed by the 150 roadster and the 170H sedan.

Under the technical guidance of the chief designer Max Sailer, who replaced Nibel in 1935, the popular inexpensive model 170V with a four-cylinder engine with a working volume of 1697 cm³ was created, the world's first mass-produced passenger car with a Mercedes-Benz 260 D diesel engine (1936 ), as well as the new "Big" Mercedes-Benz 770 (W150) (1938) with an oval beam frame and rear spring suspension who served Nazi leaders.

During the war, Daimler-Benz produced both trucks and cars. various classes. However, a two-week aerial bombardment by the Anglo-American Air Force in September 1944 reduced the Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft to rubble. The destruction of a large concern was estimated differently, the main workshop in Stuttgart was destroyed by 70%, the engine and body shops in Sindelfingen - 85%, the truck workshop in Gaggenau was completely destroyed. The former Benz und Cie factory in Mannheim was the luckiest with only 20% destruction, and the Berlin-Marienfeld diesel engine factory, bought by Daimler in 1902, is completely razed to the ground. When damage estimates were ready by January 1945, the board of directors ruled that "Daimler-Benz physically no longer exists."

The post-war restoration of the destroyed factories took time, so automotive production was launched only in June 1946. There was no technical base or funds for the development of new cars, so the W136 sedan - “170V” became the first post-war car. Although the design was developed in the mid-1930s, a small car with an engine of only 38 horsepower was the beginning new history stamps. Since May 1949, a major modernization has been carried out. The engine was increased by 70 cm³ (up to 52 hp; model “170S”), there were options in cabriolet and station wagon bodies (the so-called “A” and “B” cabriolets) and, most importantly, models with diesel engines “170D ".

By the early 1950s, Daimler had major ambitions for the future, but the launch of a new generation of vehicles required further development of the production base. Therefore, in the early 1950s, despite the appearance of the new luxurious 300 series (see below), the production of models with obsolete designs continued. Constant modernization and launch of new models continued. So in January 1952, a model with an enlarged body appeared, which received the number W191. But even before that, in March 1951, a six-cylinder engine with a power of 80 hp was installed on the car. instead of 4-cylinder. Along with a new exterior design (for example, the location of the front lights in the fenders), the W187 received a new name "220" and occupied the middle segment between the "170" and "300" mi. It was offered in three body styles (sedan and convertibles "A" and "B").

In just nine years (the release ended in September 1955), 151,042 and 18,514 cars "170" and "220" were built, respectively. Thanks to these vehicles, Mercedes-Benz was able to create a solid foundation on which the company would become the leading automotive manufacturer in Western Europe.

After successfully rebuilding its factories and manufacturing its small cars, by the late 1940s Mercedes-Benz was once again rebuilding its pre-war luxury car brand. Given modern breakthroughs in automotive fashion, in November 1951, a new executive limousine W186 "300" appeared at the Paris Motor Show. The car, although it was built in a classic layout (a separate frame and body), was equipped with a powerful 6-cylinder engine of 2996 cm³ with an overhead camshaft.

The car was produced in two bodies - a sedan and a four-door convertible "D" and was a huge success among big businessmen, celebrities and politicians. It was the latter category that gave the car an unofficial name in honor of the first Federal Chancellor of Germany, Konrad Adenauer, who had a personal car and highly appreciated it. Since the assembly of the car was carried out by hand, the interiors were made for the buyers and were equipped with a radio, telephone and many other innovations.

Manual assembly of cars allowed for continuous upgrades, as a result, at the end of 1954, the W186 “300b” series appeared, which received new brake drums and front windows. A year later, it was replaced by the "300c", equipped with an automatic transmission from Borg-Warner. But the biggest step forward was made in the mid-1950s, when the invention of the fuel injection system was made by Bosch. She was equipped with the W188 "300Sc" series from the end of 1955.

In January 1952, another series appeared executive class W188 - "300S", which was produced as a coupe, convertible "A" and two-seater roadster. The compression ratio of the engine was increased to 7.8:1, and the power was 150 hp. If the assembly of large "Adenauers" was relatively fast (about a thousand a year, given the total capacity of the factories of the brand), then the average production of 300S cars was no more than a hundred pieces a year.

However, if the demand for large Adenauers continued, then the production of small-scale "300S" became impractical after the introduction of SL roadsters and similar two-door pontoon models in the mid-1950s (see below). Further assembly of obsolete cars turned out to be a big burden for the company, so in 1958 the production of all three W188 bodies was discontinued after the release of only 760 cars.

As for the flagship sedans and convertibles "D", in August 1957, a thorough modernization of the car was carried out, which became known as the W189 - "300d". The main external difference was in the tail section of the body, which took the form of a pontoon sedan (see below). Similarly, the shape of the rear of the roof with an enlarged tail glass has also changed. The side glazing also received the opportunity to remove the central pillar, which is very convenient for summer time. To successfully penetrate the US market, cars could be equipped with air conditioning and power steering, and their tires were painted white. Under the hood of the new Adenauer, there was now a fuel injection system, and the engine could produce 180 hp. With. and disperse heavy vehicle up to 165 km/h.

The assembly of "Adenauers" continued until March 1962, a total of 8288 W186s and 3142 W189s were built. With this series, Mercedes-Benz fully restored its pre-war reputation as a manufacturer of luxury cars.

In the early 1950s Mercedes-Benz finally has the resources and staff to fulfill its ambitions. As already noted, the 170 and 200 models were already completely outdated by the beginning of the 1950s, and only the elite of that time could afford the 300s. The brand needed a unified series of cars that would be modern, reliable, but at the same time relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain.

The way out was obvious - a monocoque body, but here Mercedes-Benz retained the classic lines of the wheel arches and thus introduced the design of a pontoon body into automotive terminology. This was the new car W120 "180", first shown in July 1953. The release continued until the early 1960s. and many models and upgrades were developed. So, in February 1954 appeared diesel variant"180D", and in March 1956 the more powerful and comfortable W121 "190", which also received a diesel modification "190D" in August 1958. But the most significant model was sports roadster"190SL", built on a common body with the W121, despite significant external differences (see description below).

The first six-cylinder, so-called. "large pontoons" appeared in June 1954, with the W180 "220a" with an 89 hp engine. With. Like their younger brothers, the cars underwent a number of modifications, since March 1956, the flagship 220S series, similar to the 190th, appeared, which, in addition to the sedan, was produced in the bodies of a two-door coupe and convertible with an engine power of 105 hp. With. The old "220a" was now referred to as "219" under the new body number W105. The final touch in the history of large pontoons occurred in October 1958, when models with the fuel injection system "220SE" (E - Einspritzmotor) appeared for sedans, coupes and convertibles, which were now referred to as W128.

The production of large pontoons of the 220th series continued until September 1959 (sedans) and November 1960 (coupes and convertibles). In total, 111,035 and 5,371 such vehicles were built, respectively. The younger pontoons were produced longer, until October 1962. A total of 442,963 W120 and W121 sedans were built, as well as 25,881 190SL roadsters. A total of 585,250 cars, a scale that made it possible to glorify the brand throughout the world, since they were only officially exported to 136 countries. During the release, a solid base was created for the production of future models, already in 1960, according to Daimlera's analysis, the assembly of one car in Sindelfingen took only 25 hours. But the automotive world in the late 1950s and early 1960s. experienced rapid changes, and in order to remain competitive in an unequal battle with American manufacturers required new generations of vehicles.

Simultaneously with the production of passenger cars, the company paid a lot of attention to restoring its racing reputation. A whole bureau was engaged in the creation of lightweight aerodynamic bodies. A particular success was the Mercedes-Benz W196, in which the Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio won the Formula 1 championships in 1954 and 1955 (see the Mercedes team in Formula 1). The car itself was built on the basis of the experience of the former Messerschmitt Bf.109 aircraft engine designers and had a fuel injection system and a desmodromic valve drive.

In 1955, an improved version of the car - the Mercedes-Benz W196S (300SLR) numbered 722, driven by the famous English racer Stirling Moss, set the Mille Miglia race record, which has not been beaten to this day. Despite the tragic outcome of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which killed Pierre Levegh and 82 spectators, Mercedes-Benz won the World Championship in 1955. However, after that, the brand left the racing world for many years.

But success could not remain without consequences. Back in 1952, the Mercedes-Benz W194 racing model appeared, the predecessor of the SLR, which was able to finish in second and fourth places in the Mille Miglia of the same year, and also participated in the Carrera Panamericana and Targa Florio races. The body of the car consisted of a tubular frame covered with sheets made of lightweight patented aluminum alloy and had a lightweight and redesigned version of the Adenauer six-cylinder engine. The most interesting design elements were the shape of the cab and the doors, which opened upwards for strength and weight savings and gave the car the nickname "gullwing".

In 1953, businessman Max Hoffman suggested that the company create a road version of the W194 for the emerging American market. The result was the Mercedes-Benz W198 (300SL). Since its premiere in 1954, its futuristic features, and of course the unusual doors, have guaranteed a complete success. The US elite, where more than 80% of all cars were supplied, bought them up at auctions. Initially, the cars had an engine with a system of three Weber-type carburetors that developed 115 hp, but soon a Bosch fuel injection system was installed, which increased power to 215 hp. and allowed to disperse light car up to 250 km/h.

The success of the 300SL shocked the firm itself. However, with all its advantages, the complex design and long assembly made its cost inaccessible to the old world. Feeling the potential of the market that opened up for the brand, Mercedes-Benz engineers immediately began to develop a mass model based on the standard Mercedes-Benz 190 (W121) pontoon. At the same time, the car retained much of the 300SL - an independent front suspension and a rear suspension with oscillating axle shafts. In April 1954, the "little brother" 190SL premiered. The car was produced as a roadster, either with a removable hardtop or with a folding canvas. Priced almost half as much as the 300SL, the car proved to be very successful, especially among female buyers.

In 1957, the 300SL underwent a major redesign, during which it lost its unique wing-door design. There are several reasons for this: firstly, the car was more of a racing car than the Gran Turismo class, into which it unexpectedly moved. Consequently, in terms of convenience, it had big drawbacks, such as the lack of a trunk, poor ventilation (only due to the rear triangular vents that could open slightly) and the entry and exit of passengers into the cabin, which was very inconvenient, especially for women. Another reason was the high death rate in accidents, due to the fact that it is difficult for passengers to get out of the car, especially when it is overturned. Therefore, in 1957, a new 300SL appeared, which turned into a roadster, similar to the 190SL and was produced both with canvas and with a removable hardtop. At the same time, the car received a new, more comfortable rear suspension, disc brakes (since 1961) and, for the first time for Mercedes-Benz, they put on it new type vertical headlights, which would soon become a feature of all subsequent models of the brand until the early 1970s.

In 1963, the production of both cars was completed. A total of 1,400 first-generation 300SLs and 1,858 second-generation 300SLs were produced. "Pontoon" 190SL built 25,881 units. Both cars opened up a completely new class of cars for the brand, which from now on had the ending SL - Sport Leicht - sports-light.

In the 1950s, Western Europe was emerging from the devastation and poverty that followed World War II. Back in September 1956, when Pontoons had just begun to be produced, Daimler-Benz management began developing a new generation of cars. The main requirements were higher than ever: the safety and comfort of passengers inside, the outside of the car had to be in the form of Italian-style cars, while the front end should be inherited from Mercedes-Benz. Development began in 1957, at a time when America was the undisputed leader in the automotive industry. American car exterior design was undergoing a revolution that was brought about by the era of jet air and space flight (hence the characteristic "wings" that adorned the rear of the body). At the last moment, the lead design engineer added this detail to the new design. Although the fenders themselves were much smaller and more modest than their American counterparts, their shape gave the characteristic nickname for the entire generation of Heckflosse cars - "fins".

Production began in early 1959. In autumn, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the W111 was shown to the public. Despite the fact that the chassis was the same as the pontoons, outwardly the “fin” looked completely different, having an elegant body, a vertical headlight unit, and of course, the fins themselves. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has gone ahead of the world by patenting front and rear crumple zones that absorb the kinetic energy of a collision, and seat belts. Inside, the interior was much more spacious, and at the same time, the entire instrument panel and even the steering wheel were sheathed. soft material. The glazing area has increased by 35%, thereby improving visibility for the driver and passengers. Comfort was also improved by the independent rear suspension.

The W111 replaced the W128 and W180 sedans, with the "220b", "220Sb" and "220SEb" models (b - never externally mentioned, but introduced to avoid confusion with early models). The models differed, in addition to different engine capacities (from 95 to 120 hp), in their layout, and the 220SE was considered a kind of flagship of the line. The release continued until the summer of 1965, when the successor W108 appeared (see below). However, due to its popularity, the release of the 220S model continued, the car received an increased cylinder diameter (power increased by 20 hp) and a pneumatic, self-leveling rear axle. Due to the larger engine size, the car was renamed the "230S" and production continued until January 1968. A total of 337,803 cars of this type were produced.

Following the W111, development began to replace the rest of the pontoon cars, in particular two-door coupes and convertibles. When developing the appearance, Mercedes-Benz tried to give the car a more sporty character with the same front and rear design from the future SL "Pagoda" (see below), however, only the rear part of the design reached the coupe and convertible, due to which their "fins" lost chrome underline. In March 1961, the 220SEb, two-door, pillarless cars made a splash at the Geneva Motor Show.

Simultaneously with the work on replacing the pontoon two-door 220s with finned ones, work was underway to create a mass budget version fins that would replace the W120 and W121 four-cylinder sedans. In the summer of 1961, the W110 car appeared in two models: "190c" and "190Dc". As before, the cars were almost the same as the W111, but had a more modest front design (14.5 cm shorter). The W110 was more economical, especially the diesel "190D", which became the favorite car for many taxi drivers. Station wagons, ambulances, etc. were built on the basis of the W110. expensive units flagship sedan on the W110, for example, seat back adjustment, ventilation, external chrome decor, but most importantly, engines. In 1965, with the launch of a new generation of engines, the 190s became the 220 and 220D. But the main model was the "230", which arose by installing a six-cylinder engine from the W111 "230S" in the body of the W110. In January 1968, Mercedes-Benz stopped its production, having produced 628.282 cars by that time.

The final touch on the history of fins was made in the same 1961. As noted above, Mercedes-Benz completed the production of not only pontoons, but also the top league of hand-built cars W189 Adenauer "300". Work on replacing the high-end limousine has just begun, and the completion of the outdated frame limousine has created a niche in the lineup. Mercedes-Benz solved the problem in the simplest way by putting a large three-liter engine in a regular W111 sedan. The result was a car with much improved dynamic performance. By adding air suspension, automatic transmission, luxurious interior and doubling the amount of chrome exterior trim, Mercedes has recreated the luxury of a limousine in a conventional sedan. However, knowing that many of the upper echelons of buyers may not accept this "hack", Mercedes-Benz decided to further tear the flagship "300SE" model from the main line, and even allocated a separate factory index W112. And in 1963, a model with an extended wheelbase "300SEL" appeared. As expected, not everyone reacted positively to the replacement of a hand-built car with a mass-produced luxury car. However, in the short period of its release (until 1965), 5.202 "300SE" and 1.546 "300SEL" were produced. Breaking the taboo of succession, in March 1962 Mercedes-Benz took the next logical step and put the same engine on two-door fins. This W112 "300SE" differed from the W111 "220SE" in similar ways to the sedans (more exterior chrome, walnut panel trim, etc.). A total of 3.12 were released through 1968

By the early 1960s, the fashion for fins had already left automotive design, but the renewal of the car fleet continued, and in the summer of 1963 it was the turn to replace the SL sports series. Until the end of 1962, the mass production of four-cylinder W121 "190SL" roadsters and the manual assembly of luxury W198 "300SL" Gran Turismo cars continued simultaneously. Similar to how W111 and W112 combined different sedans 220 and 300 series, the new W113 combined both SL classes. The development of the car followed the same path, a deep modernization of the pontoon body. But at the same time, it already had not a four-, but a six-cylinder engine. Having a simple compact body, independent suspension and, of course, the ability to remove either a hard or canvas roof, new roadster"230SL" quickly became popular car especially among women. It was the unusual shape of the roof that gave it the nickname "Pagoda" during its premiere. Subsequently, the car was upgraded twice with rear disc brakes and more powerful engines "250SL" (1967) and "280SL" (1968-71). A total of 48.912 such cars were produced

The following year, 1964, finally solved the problem of replacing the Adenauers. As already noted, the W112 "300SE", although it was equipped with an order of magnitude better than standard fins, it still remained a mass car, and was a temporary solution to replace the W189. A real successor to Adenauer, the W100 limousine was almost 5.5 meters long, had air suspension, a boxy body and inside could be equipped with any comfort details, up to a TV. But its engine became the main one: the old three-liter engine was no longer suitable for a car weighing three tons, and after the W112 series it had already managed to go down from exclusivity to the masses, and Mercedes-Benz returned the first V-shaped eight-cylinder engine to its range. The M100 engine with a volume of 6.3 liters, having 250 hp, could accelerate a huge car to 205 km / h, thereby making it the second fastest car in Germany (after the Porsche 911). Model "600" could be produced, in addition to the standard limousine, in the configuration of an elongated (by 74 cm) "Pulman" or semi-cabriolet "Landole", which were purchased by the heads of state for ceremonial purposes, as well as by the Vatican as the Popemobile. In general, the car became so successful that its assembly continued until 1981 (2.677 cars were produced).

The 600th completed the renewal of the entire model range. The years of production of these cars just coincided with the heyday of Germany as a new economic force in Western Europe, which speaks both of the scale of production and the export success of cars. By the mid-1960s, Mercedes-Benz had established itself as a leader in the German automotive industry. Of course, the fin era did not end with the launch of the 600, but the ability to unify the model range made it possible to save a huge amount of material and human resources.

Pontoons and SL Mercedes managed in 10 years to turn from a company that was in 170th place in the production of cars before the war, into a manufacturer of the best European cars. Models were exported to many countries of the world and purchased by both celebrities and politicians. But by the end of the 1950s, the image of modern cars, like Western society, was changing dramatically, and Mercedes became the avant-garde in this era. In 1959, a new family of the executive class W111 went into production, which received elegant load-bearing bodies with vertical headlights, huge luggage compartment and independent suspension of all wheels (models 220, 220S, 220SE, 230S, 250SE, 280SE and 280SE 3.5). They have demonstrated the highest technical level cars of this brand. main symbol new era became a square body, but with a clear American influence in the form of "fins" on the rear fenders. The car also had coupe and convertible versions. Flippers also made their way to the mid-range W110 in 1961. In 1961, Mercedes released a luxury version based on the 111 300SE W112, which also had coupe and convertible versions.

But the fin trend was gone as quickly as it came, and Mercedes continued to introduce new and more luxurious models. In 1963, two new models appeared. The first was the SL "Pagoda" with a unique roof (its middle part was below the sidewalls). The car was produced in three series: 230SL, 250SL and 280SL. And at the end of 1963, the Mercedes-Benz W100 600 limousine appeared. The car had a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 250 hp, an automatic 4-speed gearbox, and air suspension. The main thing is that the car had almost no competitors, and not only in prestige - despite its huge size, it could reach a maximum speed of up to 205 km / h. There were also extended versions of the Pullman (including six-door versions) and semi-convertibles - landole.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1965, a range of models of the so-called S-class (W108) was shown for the first time - the most prestigious (after the 600 limousine) cars of the company. It included models 250S and 250SE with 6-cylinder engines of 150 and 170 hp, surpassing competitors in their technical parameters. Over time, they received engines of 2.8 liters, and since 1968: 3.5- and 4.5-liter V8 engines. The most powerful and comfortable model of this series was the extended W109 300SEL, including the flagship 300SEL 6.3 with a 6.3-liter engine from the 600th, with a top speed of 220 km/h. Since then, the S series has become a symbol technical advances Mercedes-Benz company.

In 1968, new models of the middle class W114 and W115 appeared, differing in a set of engines. The latter (230, 250 and 280) had six-cylinder engines, the first (200, 220 and 240) had four-cylinder ones. Diesel versions of these models have also gained wide popularity. The car was produced in coupe, station wagon and extended sedan versions. A feature of the series was the fact that its body was completely developed from scratch, unlike the previous ones, which in one form or another were borrowed from previous models.

If the brand was able to occupy a niche in post-war Europe by the end of the 1950s, then by the end of the 1960s the whole world knew about it, both in terms of the scale of production and the quality of cars. In the early 1970s, Mercedes adopted new system classification of cars, where the prefix W was added to R (roadster), C (coupe), S (station wagon) and V (long base). There was also a new styling standard that became more masculine and charismatic, giving the new cars a more elegant yet austere and sporty profile.

The first novelty of the decade was the new SL R107, which replaced Pagoda in 1971. The success of the car can be characterized by the fact that it was produced for 18 years (until 1989). Although there were entry-level models with six-cylinder engines (280SL and 300SL), the R107 was mainly equipped with an eight (V8), which successfully won American market on models 350SL, 380SL, 420SL, 450SL, 500SL and 560SL. The latest model was not available for Europe at all.

In 1972, the 108th was replaced by a new generation of the S-class W116, which received the world's first anti-lock braking system (ABS), as well as hydropneumatic suspension and a three-speed automatic transmission. Like its predecessor, the car had two bases, short and long (V116). The lineup also mainly consisted of the "eights" 350SE / SEL and 450SE / SEL. But, in addition to the "six" 280S and 280SE / SEL, there was also a diesel model 300SD with short base(for the North American market), and the flagship was the 450SEL 6.9 with a huge 6.9-liter V8 engine.

If all S-classes had coupes, then the W116 was an exception, and to replace the already obsolete C111 in 1972, the new C107 SLC model came, which was developed on the basis of the R107. Unlike the roadster, the coupe had a hardtop and an enlarged interior with rear seats.

1973 was a severe test for the company - the oil crisis that began seriously reduced car sales, especially from large engines. But thanks to the W114 / W115 series and the efforts that the concern has made in the framework of quality improvement and in the development of more economical engines since the mid-1970s, in 1975, Mercedes introduced new mass-produced car models - W114 / W115.

The new car W123 turned out to be one of the most reliable in the history of the brand. There was also a station wagon version (since 1976), a coupe and a limousine (since 1977). The car was simple and economical. In many countries, W123s are still in service today.

In 1979, Mercedes launched its new S-Class W126, whose success can be compared to the huge number of innovations it brought to the automotive world. In an instant, his predecessor was obsolete by a whole generation. The new car had a revolutionary design: thanks to the famous Italian designer Brunno Sacco, for the first time, the emphasis was on aerodynamics. In total, about 840 thousand cars were produced - a record not broken by any S-Class since then, as well as a production duration record of 12 years. The new flagship models of the S-class 500SEL and 560SEL finally made it possible to complete the production of the heavy W100 limousine.

Unlike the W116, the W126 expanded its lineup from 1981 with the new C126 coupes, which replaced the C107 SLC. But the era of the sports coupe still affected the appearance of the new car. The postless car proved to be just as successful as the sedan, especially the powerful 500SEC and 560SEC versions.

But the success of the new S-class was not enough for the company, and in the early 1980s it opened up two completely new markets. The first of these is the 460 series SUV, known as the Geländewagen. The all-wheel drive car was born thanks to the order of the Iranian Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was a shareholder of Daimler-Benz. The revolution in Iran in 1977, after which the shah lost power, made its own adjustments: left without a customer, Damler-Benz turned a military vehicle into a civilian SUV, which became famous for its high traffic and reliability.

The Mercedes-Benz brand received a powerful challenge in the late 1970s from its archrival BMW and its success with the 3 Series, which quickly swept the mass car pendulum. Daimler-Benz had the only way out, and in 1982 the premiere of the W201 190 compact sedan took place. The car, despite its modest size, had excellent sports design, thanks to the same Brunno Sacco, a wide range of engines (1.8-2, 6 with a power of 75-185 hp) and, most importantly, the price was available to a wider range of customers. The success of the car is evidenced by the numbers: in just 11 years, 1.8 million cars were produced. The car, nicknamed "Baby Benz", completely returned the competitiveness of the brand.

The main models of Mercedes-Benz, sedans and wagons of the W123 series, became obsolete by the mid-1980s, and in 1984 the W124 appeared. The car once again showed the ability of the brand to create stylish and modern cars, but at the same time make them durable and reliable. The new range was produced in four versions: sedan, station wagon (S124), coupe (C124) and convertible (A124). If the 123 was a work machine, the 124 added elegance to that quality. Also in the late 1980s, many tuning companies appeared, such as Brabus, AMG, Carlsson and others, so for the sake of experiment in 1989, Mercedes, together with Porsche, creates a sports special series 500E with a 5-liter V8 engine. In total, over 2.7 million W124 cars were produced, including about 10,000 500Es.

In 1989, on the eve of a new decade, a period begins to replace the legendary R107 SL. It is being replaced by the new Mercedes-Benz R129. The car, which had to make up the gap in a whole generation, coped with its task. Having a modern racing look The R129 quickly brought the company back into the sports car market.

In the period 1990-91, Mercedes updates its Geländewagen with models 461 and 463. The first model actually remained an all-wheel drive SUV, which was produced in small series, but the last model became an urban SUV, which could be supplemented with various options to order, up to an armored body. The production of this car continues to this day.

In 1991, Mercedes showcases the new S-Class W140, a huge car that ushered the brand into the computer age. But the main thing is that it was the first where the V12 engine was installed. The flagship was named 600SEL in honor of the legendary limousine, which was already inferior to the new W140 in many dimensions. The V12 engine was also installed in the R129 (600SL) and the new C140 600SEC coupe in 1992.

In 1993, a radical change in the nominal system of cars takes place. The classification, which was based mainly on engine size, including one or two models, had already exhausted itself by the beginning of the 1980s, when up to ten engines were offered on the same body. A striking example of this is the W201, called the 190, although it was equipped with the same two-liter M102 engine as the Mercedes-Benz 200 of the 123 family. To avoid such intersections with other engines, the concern had to give the W201 cars with 2.5-liter engines a different name - 190E 2.5. It was also with the flagship S-classes, for example, the V116 car with a 6.9-liter M100 engine was 450SEL 6.9, so as not to mix it with the W100 600 limousine. This system was used in the American market, where all models of the 124 series were designated as Mercedes- Benz 300 with engine size. 1993 put an end to the confusion: Mercedes now divided its cars into classes, each with its own body. In general, the system has developed over the years, since most models had their own letters in the designations. So, Sonderklasse (special class) became the S-class, Sport Leicht (light sports) became the SL-class, Geländewagen (SUV) became the G-class. Difficulty arose with the W124 and W201 cars. While the rest of the cars already had one or another classification, the 124 series, like its predecessors, remained “basic” and there were no letter indices for it. The letters referred to the type of engine: E (Einspritzmotor) meant fuel injection instead of a carburetor, and D corresponded to diesel. However, after 1989, carburetor engines were no longer installed on the 124 series, and most of these sedans had the designation E. During the reform, instead of fuel injection, this letter received the value Exekutivklasse. In connection with the advent of the W201, more solid representatives of the 124 series have become less massive. The assignment of the new designation "E-class" also coincided with a significant modernization of the car.

At this time, the successor to the W201 - W202 appeared. It was no longer a cheap alternative to the middle class, but a car designed for the mass (for the Mercedes-Benz brand) market. Mercedes-Benz relies on quality and variety. The series receives the designation Comfortklasse. Unlike the W201, the wagon version appears here - S202. In addition to a large selection of engines, the model was offered in different performance lines, differing in external and internal details.

In 1995, Mercedes demonstrates new E-class W210. The car was the first on which the brand applied a new styling standard in the form of four headlights. Diesel engines with the new Common Rail technology were used as the main engine design. The car, like the C-class, had a station wagon version (S210) and different performance lines.

In the mid-90s, the brand radically changes its policy regarding new cars. The determining factors were economy and availability, which directly affected the quality of cars. The concern introduced three new classes in 1996-97.

First class: SLK-class (model R170). SLK - Sport-Leicht-Kurz, or "sport-light-short", was a lighter version of the "heavy" SL. The compact roadster had the first all-metal top in the history of Mercedes, which automatically retracts into the trunk in 25 seconds.

The second innovation was new SUV M-class W163, which was partly produced in the USA as part of the concern's globalization program.

The third novelty was the new compact A-class W168, designed for middle-class consumers. The car had excellent fuel economy data, and despite the small external dimensions, quite roomy interior. However, the reputation of the car was severely undermined when the car overturned on a moose test at a speed of 37 km / h. In order not to undermine its prestige, the concern had to withdraw more than 130,000 vehicles in order to put ESP on them. In 2001, a long wheelbase variant of the V168 was launched. In total, 1.8 million of these cars were produced.

Simultaneously, in 1996, Mercedes decided to further rationalize its classification system. The first "victim" was the S-class coupe - CL-class (Comfort Leicht - "light comfort"), which just coincided with the C140 cosmetic update. But then, in 1996, to replace the E-class coupe and convertible (C124 and A124), the CLK-class (Comfort Leicht Kurz - “light comfort shortened”) appears, and with it the W208 model. And although outwardly the new coupe and convertible were stylized as the W210 E-class, in fact both cars had the body of the W202 C-class as the basis.

In 1999, another historic event happens for Mercedes, he buys tuning company AMG, which has been an official tuner since 1992, and during that time has released a range of sports cars, including 190E 3.5 AMG (92-93), C36 AMG (1993-1996), E60 AMG (1993-1995) , E36 AMG (1993-1997), SL60 AMG (1993-1995), etc. Since then, many classes have had AMG versions as expensive alternatives for those who wanted a sharper, sportier ride. At the same time, AMG is helping to create the first version of Gran Turismo based on the C208 CLK coupe. The result is a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR racing car (which was only available to very wealthy customers) with a 612 hp 6.9-liter V12. and developed a maximum speed of more than 320 km / h.

Mercedes is ending the decade with the launch of two new S- and CL-class cars, separated in 1998. The W220 was able to fully embody the new concept of compactness combined with economy. The car was almost 300 kg lighter and 120 mm shorter than its predecessor, but at the same time, the internal volume was increased through the use of more compact devices and further rationalization of their location. The engine range was also generally weaker than the W140, especially the flagship S600, featuring lower fuel consumption and much more environmental friendliness. The profile of the new CL-class C215 was similar to that of a sedan. However, externally, on the example of the coupe, a number of details were used in order to distinguish the cars (in particular, the four-headlight layout in front of the car). Both cars demonstrated another standard for future models of the 21st century brand - saturation with electronics.

The latest innovation in the 1990s was new C-class W203, which externally borrowed a lot from the W220 S-class in terms of styling. In particular, this applies to the concept of compact design (externally reduced, internally enlarged). In addition to the station wagon, the car also had a 3-door liftback version (CL203). Like its predecessor, several different performance lines were available with great choice engines - from the most economical Common Rail diesel engines to AMG sports eights.

For ten years Mercedes-Benz doubled its model range (if in 1993 there were only five classes of cars, then in 1999 there were already ten). But at the same time, the constant search for cheap funds was reflected in the fundamental feature of the brand - quality. Sophisticated devices used on cars of the second half of the 90s often broke down, and by the beginning of the new millennium, the brand's reputation had fallen sharply.

The first model of the new millennium was the long-awaited replacement of the SL-class R230 in 2001. This car, like the SLK, had a top that folded into the trunk. The most successful model was the SL55 AMG version with a 5.5-liter V8 engine with a power supercharger of almost 500 hp, which provided the car with good performance: acceleration to 100 km / h in 4.5 s, maximum speed (when the limiter was removed ) - 300 km / h. The car held the record as the fastest car with automatic transmission for several years, and this despite the fact that the SL55 was inferior to the SL65 AMG with a V12. In 2008, the car receives a major update of the design of the front (new version of the AMG SL63). On the basis of the Formula 1 safety car, a so-called. "black series" - SL65 AMG.

In mid-2002, a new E-class W211 was released. Unlike the W210, the car is bigger on the outside and inside (especially considering it's built in the same compact layout as the W220 and W203) and much more upscale, fitting in perfectly with the business class definition. For example, luxury details such as leather upholstery and wood interior trim (formerly an expensive option) were "standard" on the W211. Like its predecessor, the car was produced in the form of a sedan or wagon, the last largest in the history of the brand.

In May 2002, the premiere of the new CLK-class W209 took place. The appearance of the car combines the heritage of a sports coupe (as well as a convertible) and the younger brother of the CL (for example, the star has moved to the center of the grille). Like its predecessor, the bodywork was borrowed from the W203 C-Class but styled after the W211 E-Class. If the W208 became famous for its special CLK-GTR series, then the W209 had two of them. AMG launched a special edition of 100 CLK-DTMs in 2003, which was based on the DTM racing version. In 2007, the so-called. the black CLK63 AMG series, based on the Formula 1 safety car.

In the mid-2000s, Mercedes releases about ten new models, including replacements for those introduced in the mid-1990s. In 2004, a new A-class W169 appears. In 2004, the premiere of the "ladies" roadster R171 SLK-class, which was slightly larger than its predecessor, also took place. And in 2005, the M-class was updated with the new W164 model.

In 2005, it is time for the launch of new models of S and CL classes - cars W221 and C216. Cars demonstrated A New Look on the appearance of the brand. The exterior is distinguished by elements in the style of "retro" (wide wheel arches and larger volumes), and the interior has become larger. The car is equipped with the latest technology and equipment. The flagships of the series are the S65 and CL65 AMG with powerful V12 engines.

After updating the S-class, it was the turn of the C-class and at the beginning of 2007 the premiere of the new W204 took place. The car has traditionally been styled as a small version of the S-Class, but even here the build quality excels. As with previous generations, sedan and station wagon versions were offered. But three lines of execution, the differences between which were previously only noticeable to an experienced eye, began to differ greatly in the taste of the buyer. Standard Classic, luxurious Elegance (featuring more luxurious leather interior and technology) and sporty Avantgarde, which can be easily identified by the star located at the center of the grille. In 2008, the range was replenished with a new CLC-class (CLC - Comfort-Leicht-Coupe or light comfortable coupe). Despite the fact that the body remained the same - CL203, the appearance was updated to the standard of the 204's.

In the second half of the 2000s, the company introduces two new classes of SUVs. The first model of the GL-class SUV (X164) is an extended version of the W164 M-class. The car was originally intended to replace the Geländewagen SUV, but due to the success of the latter, the idea was abandoned, and the car was further increased in size (GL - Geländewagen Lang, an elongated SUV), making it three-row (capacity from seven to nine people). And in 2008, a mid-size GLK-class SUV (X204) appeared, developed on the basis of the S204 C-class station wagon (GLK - Geländewagen-Leicht-Kurz, that is, a shortened light SUV).

Mercedes repeatedly tried to enter the almost closed world of Gran Turismo, but until 2004 its success was limited. But when Daimler bought a 40% stake in the British company McLaren in 2000, a unique opportunity arose. McLaren, which is predominantly Formula 1, has produced successful GTs such as the McLaren F1. After the purchase of McLaren, the designers of both companies teamed up to work on a new project, for which McLaren developed a powerful V8 engine with a 617 hp supercharger. In 2004, a Mercedes-Benz supercar SLR McLaren was ready. The C199 was named after the legendary 1955 W196 300SLR World Sports Car Championship winner. In total, by 2009 it was planned to produce 3,500 cars. The car has been constantly updated with the 722 (641 hp, named after the winning car's W196 300SLR race number) and 722 GT (671 hp). It is planned to complete the series with 75 SLR Stirling Moss cars, named after winning driver Stirling Moss, which will have gull-shaped doors (as on the 300SLR).

Mercedes ended the decade with the launch of the new W212 E-Class in early 2009. With the new sedan, the E-coupe (C207) took the place of the CLK-class as part of the E-class (which was developed on the basis of the W204 C-class). And in August of the same year, the S212 station wagon appeared. The A207 convertible will be launched in 2010. The new E-class family itself has achieved tremendous economic and environmental performance. The line-opening supercharged petrol engines have been replaced by a new type of direct injection (CGI - Stratified (Charged Gasoline Injection)) twin-turbocharged engines, and all but the flagship 8-cylinder models wear the BlueEfficiency badge.

In 2014, the brand was valued at $34.338 billion, holding second place (after Toyota) among car manufacturing companies and tenth place among all brands in the world. According to BrandZ in 2015, the brand ranks 43rd with a value of $21.786 billion.

Mercedes-Benz is perhaps the most famous and respected brand in the global automotive market. Cars with a logo in the form of a three-pointed star, placed on the hood or grille, have long been considered the standard of reliability and exclusivity.

The history of the Daimler A.G. concern, and this is the name of the transnational concern that produces various vehicles under the Mercedes-Benz trademark, is more than 100 years old and takes us to the end of the 19th century. No less interesting are the stories of the origin of the brand and logo.

At the origins of the creation of the Mercedes-Benz company were two German automotive companies: Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik in Mannheim.

Benz & Cie. Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik in Mannheim

Benz & Cie. The Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik in Mannheim was founded by the engineer Karl Benz (1844–1922) in 1879. Initially, its main products were two-stroke gasoline engines developed by the owner of the company. Karl Benz was a talented inventor. In addition to the two-stroke engine, he invented and received patents for such important components for the car as:

• ignition system;
• spark plug;
• clutch;
• gear box;
• accelerator;
• water cooling radiator.

Not surprisingly, after that, Karl Benz developed his first Motorwagen (1885) and in 1887 organized its production at his factory.

In a short time, K. Benz developed and manufactured the world's first truck (1895) and a bus. The company also released racing cars who won prizes in the auto races held at that time. During its existence, Benz & Cie achieved high popularity among motorists, but the post-war financial crisis brought it to the verge of bankruptcy and forced it to merge with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft.

Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft

This company was founded by the talented inventor Gottlieb Daimler (1834-1900) in 1890. Shortly before that, he invented the world's first high-speed four-stroke single-cylinder engine and, on its basis, together with his friend Wilhelm Maybach, decided to organize the production of the first four-wheeled car. In 1900, G. Daimler died and his son Paul continued his business. After a series of unfortunate failures, the partners managed in 1901 to create a sample of a car that was distinguished by its original appearance and a solid volume of a 4-cylinder engine (6 liters).

On the basis of this sample, called the Mercedes-35PS, a fairly wide range of more advanced cars was subsequently released under the general name Mercedes-Simplex, aggregated different motors and capable of reaching a speed of about 90 km / h.

Interesting! Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft cars owe their name to the Consul of Austria-Hungary in Nice, who concurrently represented the interests of the company in France, Emil Ellinek. Having ordered one of the company's first cars for himself, he demanded that it be named after the Merciful Virgin Mary. In Spanish, Merciful sounds like Mercedes. By coincidence, the daughter of an Austrian also bore this name.

After the defeat in World War I, a severe financial crisis erupted in Germany. However, against the general background, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft felt quite confident. After the war ended, the company began production of vehicles equipped with 1.6 and 2.2 liter engines. with a volumetric supercharger (compressor). The compressor made it possible to increase the power of the power unit by one and a half times.

The buyers of post-war Europe were especially struck by the six-cylinder Mercedes-24/100/140PS, the motor of which was also equipped with a compressor and was able to develop a power of about 140 liters. With. (cylinder capacity 6240 cm3). Ferdinand Porsche took an active part in the creation of this model, who since 1923 held the position of chief engineer in the company.

Interesting! At that time, the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft company produced not only cars, but also engines for ships and aircraft. In order to emphasize its superiority in all three elements (air, earth, sea), a logo was chosen, which was a three-beam star.

Daimler A.G.

The post-war German economy, hit by a crisis, required major changes. Innovations initiated by the government of the country have significantly influenced the production orientation of the automotive companies Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. and forced them to unite.

Daimler-Benz A.G.

Officially the two companies merged into one in 1926. The newly created concern was named Daimler-Benz A.G. It was headed by F. Porsche, who managed to combine the experience of both companies. Under the new management, the concern updated production line, taking as a basis the latest Mercedes models, to the name of which the prefix Benz has now been added.

The first development was the K series, which subsequently laid the foundation for the design of the new S-class car. The K-series cars were different increased power and speed, which gave reason to call them "death traps" in everyday life. The top model of the series was a Mercedes-Benz 24/110/160 PS, equipped with a six-cylinder engine with a volume of 6240 cm3, which allows reaching speeds of up to 145 km/h.

In 1928, Hans Nibel became the head of the concern. His name is associated with the appearance in the nomenclature of the concern:

• small cars such as Mercedes-Benz 170 with a cylinder capacity of 1692 cc. see, equipped with independent front wheel suspension and Mercedes-Benz 130 with rear location 4-cylinder power unit with a capacity of 26 liters. With.;
• Mercedes-Benz 380 sports cars with an engine with a cylinder capacity of 5 liters;
• the famous Mercedes-Benz 770, known as Grosser Mercedes, equipped with an 8-cylinder compressor engine, whose power reached 200 liters. With. The cylinder capacity of this engine was 7655 cm3.

Hans Niebel was replaced in 1935 by Max Saller, under whose leadership was:

• for the first time in the world created a passenger car with a power unit running on diesel fuel. It received the designation Mercedes-Benz 260D;
• upgraded Mercedes-Benz 770, which received a frame of oval beams and a rear spring suspension.

During the Second World War, the concern not only did not stop its activities, but also began to manufacture trucks. This was facilitated by the fact that the concern supplied its cars to the leadership of Nazi Germany. However, at the end of the war, heavy bombing destroyed the production facilities, which took a long time to restore. The concern was able to start producing cars only in 1947. However, in the mid-50s, the concern was able to regain its leading position in the global automotive market.

Having restored its production facilities, Daimler-Benz A.G. began to additionally produce a wide variety of vehicles designed for the needs of both the German army and police, and for NATO countries. In addition, the production of trucks and buses was established.

Cooperation between Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. ended in 1998, one of the longest running in Europe.

DaimlerChrysler AG

The history of Mercedes-Benz does not end there. In 1998, a decision was made to acquire a controlling stake in the American automobile corporation Chrysler LLC. At that time, the range of produced Mercedes-Benz passenger cars consisted of 12 series, the main of which were the C and E series.

The alliance of these companies, called DaimlerChrysler A.G., allowed the German company not only to enter the American market, but also to gain access to the latest technologies that were not previously used in the production of Mercedes-Benz cars. The result of the company's activities was the placement of the production of comfortable all-wheel drive vehicles of the ML-class in the United States. In addition, in 1999, the company bought out the AMG tuning studio, as a result of which many car series received high-performance AMG modifications as a more expensive alternative.

Daimler A.G.

Alliance DaimlerChrysler A.G. lasted only 8 years. In 2007, 80.1% of the shares were sold. After the transaction, the group's name was changed to Daimler A.G.

Currently, the Daimler A.G concern, which is headed by Dieter Zetsche, is one of the top five car manufacturers. It consists of:

• Mercedes-Benz Cars Group - the range of cars produced includes 550 different vehicles, including 350 passenger cars, 140 family cars and 60 sports cars;
• Daimler Trucks Group, which is engaged in the production of multi-tonnage trucks
• Mercedes-Benz Vans Group, which produces small-tonnage cars Mercedes-Benz;
• Daimler Buses Group, whose production facilities produce buses of the Mercedes-Benz, Orion Bus and Setra brands.

In addition, Daimler A.G. has the exclusive right to use a number of technical innovations, starting with the patent for a high-speed four-stroke engine developed by Gottlieb Daimler, the cardan drive, first used on the Mercedes 14/30 HP car (1909) and ending with the development of an 8-cylinder power unit with a v-shaped cylinder arrangement with power from 204 to 231 hp. With. (1981).

Conclusion

Thus, over the more than 100-year history of the existence of the Mercedes-Benz automotive company, the very name of the company has become a well-known trademark (brand) under which innovative, safe and reliable cars are produced. That is why buyers are ready to purchase them at a price that significantly exceeds the cost of similar models from other companies.

The development of Mercedes and the impact of its history on the model range. Full classification versions of cars by class. difference between one row and another.

Brief announcement

Throughout the history of Mercedes benz, there have been many ups and downs. In this article, we will look at how the history of Mercedes developed, where the idea of ​​​​creating a brand came from, the Mercedes lineup from compact cars to commercial buses, trucks, and how the classes differ.

History of the Mercedes brand

The history of the brand is as legendary as the cars themselves. Today, Mercedes is associated with elite, powerful, high-quality products.

When the post-war crisis reigned in the country, in 1900 the developers of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft assembled the first Mercedes-35PS. It is noteworthy that the history of the brand got its start not from the creators themselves, but from the passionate car dealer-dealer Emil Jellinek, who named the car after his daughter from his first marriage "Mercedes" (Mercédès). The name successfully took root and quickly spread among other car lovers. Today, the history of the Mercedes name is considered one of the most beautiful.

History of the Mercedes logo

Since 1901, two major competitors have been working to create their best cars of the time. In 1926, under the pressure of the economic situation, competitors, after 2 years of negotiations, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, which produces the Mercedes brand, and the Benz company decided to unite, creating the Mercedes-benz brand and setting the pace for the auto business, which to this day cannot be achieved by other automobile concerns .

Prior to the biggest merger, MB didn't have the badge we're used to seeing today. Together they were able to reach famous logo a three-beam star (Mercedes) and a laurel wreath (Benz). On the logo, in addition to the drawing, there were inscriptions: Mercedes on top, Benz on the bottom. Later, the bay leaf was removed from the logo, and the three-pointed star was enclosed in a circle.

There is a version that the history of the creation of the MV logo is also connected with Jellinek's daughter from her first marriage, who convinced the owners to stop quarrels and cross their canes. According to another version, the three-pointed star is associated with 3 elements: earth, heaven, sea. Because the company produced in addition to engines for cars, even for ships and aircraft.

As a result of the merger, there were many questions about who owns MB. Today, Mercedes is under the wing of Daimler AG, where work is underway on Smart, Maybach. The headquarters is located in Stuttgart, the design office and the main Mercedes plant in Sindelfingin.

Classification of cars by class

In Europe, including Germany, in the 80-90s it was customary to classify cars by body type. Their thoughtful classification of cars by class gives a clear understanding of what kind of car is in front of you. Body type is a criterion based on which all Mercedes models are divided into class - A, B, G, M, V. But, this is not the main parameter by which the classification takes place. The second indicator for the rating is the power of the machine and its price. Often, with an increase in class, comfort, technical characteristics, innovations, and prices increase.

All mercedes models deserve special attention and are very different from each other. Not only MB employees, but also third-party organizations such as Porsche, McLaren and others worked on their design and technical characteristics. Together they achieved the best results. Many models have awards.

The main classification of Mercedes in ascending order

A

The smallest car in the MV line. Despite its size, the car is comfortable, and driving performance is not inferior to other classes. It is great for those who move around the city. Produced exclusively in the back of a hatchback. The low price attracts attention and is popular among young people. It should be noted that low fuel consumption, therefore this car can be considered not only affordable, but also economical.

B

Family car - microvan. The body resembles the A-class, but with larger dimensions. The highest degree of machine safety, strict design and a 4-cylinder engine against the background of its affordable price - is considered best car in the price / quality ratio. It is the microvan that is considered as the most reliable Mercedes.

Most motorists choose exactly - Comfortklasse. Its arsenal includes station wagon, sedan and coupe. You can choose the appropriate engine: diesel or gasoline W6. One of the improved, powerful versions is the five-door CLA.

CL

Luxurious series Coupé Luxusklasse two-door coupe. They took the CL as the basis for the development, slightly shortened the dimensions of the car and gave it a more sporty appearance. The CL 65 AMG has become the most powerful CL-class car and the most expensive version of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

СLK

Light, short coupe - Coupe Leicht Kurz, made in the body of a coupe and a convertible based on , is a luxury version of the MB. The CLK had a powerful engine under the hood, a two-door saloon for 4 seats and a sporty look. The CLK DTM AMG has won 9 races in the 2003 DTM.

In other words - Exekutivklasse. The main focus of the car is on driver comfort, modern developments and improvements. specifications. In addition to the station wagon, sedan and coupe, a convertible has also been added. The engine can also be selected. The engine power is higher than that of the Comfortklasse and is W8. Externally, the car is quite concise.

Sonder was created for those who appreciate luxury and comfort. Everything here is done using expensive and latest technologies. Excellent quality finishing own developments manufacturer, high technical characteristics and modern design. Recognized as a luxury car. Body variant only sedan. Engine power is close to a sports car and reaches up to W12.

SL

Sports models - Sport Leicht, which means sporty light. Body type: coupe or convertible. The two-door car has a folding roof. Distinctive feature is that the SL is designed for driver comfort, but is close to a sports car in terms of technical characteristics, i.e. drive on it will turn out only for your own pleasure. Due to the significant engine power, the price of Sl is high.

SLK

Sporty, light, short - this is how the class stands for - Sportlich Leicht Kurz. Based on the SL, designers have created a compact version of sports cars. The roof also folded, had a powerful engine, but the interior trim became richer. Short shift lever, natural leather on the seats, highest level security. SLK is considered more prestigious than SL, and therefore the price is much higher.

SLS

Sport Leicht Super - legendary sports models. It is famous not only for its powerful technical characteristics, but also for its signature gullwing doors. When opening the car, the doors swung open upwards, resembling wings. The interior has been crafted from the highest quality materials with dual-phase lumbar support for maximum comfort driver while driving. Out of production in 2014.

SLR

Sport Leicht Rennsport - sporty lightweight racing. The supercar was produced in two body styles: coupe and roadster. One of the tuning versions of the SLR could accelerate to 100 km / h in just 3.3 seconds. The double car also, like the SLS, had doors that tilted up, wrapping them slightly to the side. Interesting design, red tinted taillights and luxurious interior. Out of production in 2010.

Full name G-Wagen. A car that, along with prestige and comfort, is able to pass the track of any complexity. The advantage is all-wheel drive and maximum safety. Often, this type is popular among civil servants and justifiably takes first place among SUVs. Body type: SUV and convertible.

M

Urban SUVs with an attractive design. Unlike the Gelendvagen, it has smoother features and a stylish body. Mercedes ml crossovers became the first in their class, due to their high power they had high fuel consumption, so the car was restyled more than once. GLK is a compact crossover for commuting, Mercedes GL is an enlarged version for business trips.

R

Station wagon, which was designed for family trips. Large trunk, excellent handling and safety. But, unfortunately, it could not achieve positive sales dynamics in the market. To date, the car remains less popular in comparison with other classes.

V

Minivan, which today is rated 5 stars (out of 5) for safety. In the first generation, it was produced under the name Mercedes-Benz Vito. In the second - Viano. If we look at the Mercedes Vito lineup over the years, we can note 1996, when the Mercedes-Benz W638 received the proud title of "Best Van of the Year". Right now, these are the only vans that provide big choice configurations. The buyer can choose the length, wheelbase options, engine and more.

Buses and their types

Mercedes lineup includes not only passenger cars business and economy segment, but also buses. Mercedes buses are produced in various versions: passenger and intercity minibuses, fixed-route taxis, cargo van, flatbed truck, refrigerated truck. All Mercedes buses are equipped with all-wheel drive and automatic transmission. The company has achieved a reduction in fuel consumption, an increase in noise insulation and an increase in the level of environmental class. Country manufacturer for the production of buses, as well as trucks - Argentina.

1. Line of mini-buses - Sprinter, Vario, Medio. Mercedes benz sprinter - a whole series of vehicles for the transport of passengers. Sprinter also includes specialized vehicles such as ambulance, mobile headquarters and others. Mercedes-Benz Vario - used as school bus. Medio is a small bus with 25 (Classic version) and 31 (Eco version) seats for passengers.
2. Line of city buses - Cito, Citaro, Conecto. Mercedes-Benz Citaro - low-floor models, ground clearance was no more than 340 mm. Designed for urban and intercity traffic. Urban modifications shared from O530 big class up to the extra-large class - O530 GL II depending on the number of doors, technical characteristics and comfort. Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCell Hybrid has low consumption fuel and high environmental class.
3. Suburban range - Integro, Citaro, Conecto. The Intouro bus is a model producing for export.
4. Tourist line - Tourino, Travego, Tourismo, Intouro. Mercedes-Benz Travego is a large VIP-class van with increased comfort and attractive design.

Trucks

Since 2008, MB has been recognized as the first truck manufacturer in the world to install modern technology on its Mercedes trucks.

1. Actros has Telligent smart control. It collects and processes all information from sensors about loads, engine wear, brake system wear, etc. in real time. Thanks to this control, Mercedes trucks can increase service intervals, and when going on a flight, be confident in their performance. Salon has an elevated. Comfort level, soft cab air suspension and convenient adjustment steering wheel. Load capacity from 18 to 50 tons.
2. Unimog is a versatile mini truck with unique opportunities. It has four-wheel drive, the Telligent system and is designed to transport goods in extreme conditions.
3. Atego is a small truck with a carrying capacity of 7 to 16 tons. Benefit: low fuel consumption, increased functionality, powerful engines, maximum wear resistance and increased driver comfort. Recognized as an economical car among other trucks.
4. Axor is a truck with a load capacity of 18 to 26 tons. The main difference is that Axor has a platform, a device for semi-trailers, two-axle truck tractors.
5. Econic is a garbage truck powered by natural gas. For the convenience of working personnel, the doors at the truck cab are lowered to the threshold of the cab. Externally, it is similar to the doors of a low-bed bus.
6. Zetros is a brutal super truck designed to work in extreme conditions such as fighting forest fires, salvage work on the ruins, transportation dangerous goods and much more.
7. 1828L (F581) and 1517L - mobile emergency centers

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