👉Mercedes-Benz 260 D (W138): The Diesel Pioneer
Certainly! Let’s delve into the captivating history of the Mercedes-Benz W138, specifically the Mercedes-Benz 260 D. This remarkable car holds a significant place in automotive history as one of the first series-produced diesel-engined passenger cars.
➡️Origins and Design
- The Mercedes-Benz 260 D, coded as W138 according to internal works designation, was introduced in 1936.
- It was one of the first three diesel-engined series-produced passenger cars, alongside the 1933 Citroën Rosalie 11UD and the diesel version of the Hanomag Rekord.
- The name “260 D” refers to its engine’s cubic capacity.
Key Specifications:
➡️Engine Power:
- The 260 D featured a 2.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine (OM138).
- It produced 45 bhp (34 kW) at 3000 rpm.
- The car weighed approximately 1,530 kg (3,373 lb) and could attain a top speed of 95 km/h (59 mph).
➡️Early Attempts and Success:
- An early attempt by Daimler-Benz to install a 6-cylinder diesel engine in a Mercedes-Benz Mannheim chassis ultimately failed due to unacceptable vibration.
- In 1935, the successful installation of the smaller OM 138 engine (2545 cc) in a Mercedes-Benz 230 (W21) chassis took place.
- The car employed the Bosch diesel fuel injection system and became the 260 D.
➡️Public Debut:
- The car was introduced to the public at the 1936 Berlin Motor Show, although 13 pre-production units were produced the previous year.
- The 260 D proved to be a good seller.
➡️Legacy and Production:
- Nearly 2,000 vehicles were assembled until 1940.
- Production was stopped due to World War II.
- After the war, the production of diesel-engined cars resumed with the Mercedes-Benz 170D in 1949.
- A surviving example of the car is displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
- The Mercedes-Benz 260 D remains a testament to innovation and engineering excellence—a pioneer in diesel passenger cars.