Mercedes-Benz C112 Concept

    Description

    At the International Motor Show Germany in 1991, the Mercedes-Benz C112 Concept was presented – a true two-seat centrally-engine "supercar" with active aerodynamics and gullwing doors, capable of speeds of over 300 kph, and which was supposed to be a road version of the Sauber-Mercedes C11 (Group C) racing car. As a result, the prototype was used to test the latest electronic systems: Active Body Control (computer controlled suspension based on road conditions), brake pressure distribution (ASR) and anti-lock brake system (ABS), tire pressure monitoring, adaptive cruise control.

    Development

    The management of this project was entrusted to the DAS department, an elite department created in 1989 for cutting-edge design projects with the mission of exploring new paths in mobility and design. According to the most basic ideology of Mercedes, in the face of superior performance, the C112 had to be manageable, safe and comfortable. At the head of the project, Carl Leschke, together with his team, defined the sculptural forms of the Mercedes-Benz C112: clean and architectural forms, intricately sculpted on the sides and rear. The body was built in Turin by Carrozzeria Coggiola on a chassis supplied by Mercedes-Benz. The stylistic concept is also emphasized by the gullwing doors, which are reminiscent of the legendary 300 SL Gullwing: the brand's most iconic sports car.

    Despite receiving about 700 orders, Mercedes management refused to mass-produce a sports car, despite the fact that there were even attempts to establish production together with Sauber.

    Engine

    Considering that the C112, in particular, was planned as a road version of the Sauber-Mercedes C11 (Group C) racing model, it received not a 5-liter twin-turbo V8 with a capacity of 750 hp, but an improved production M120 engine from the Mercedes-Benz SL600 model. The 6-liter V12 engine developed 408 hp. and 580 N∙m of torque, and according to calculations, should have allowed the prototype to accelerate to 100 kph in 4.9 s and reach a maximum speed of 310 kph.

    The engine block was made of aluminum alloy and the cylinder bores were plated with nickel, which was unusual for road engines. Exhaust gases were expelled by a twin tailpipe exhaust system that included a pair of bi-directional three-way catalytic converters located near the engine.

    Transmission

    Power was sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

    Chassis

    In addition to active aerodynamic elements, the prototype had an Active Body Control system to control the stability of the car through active springs and hydraulics on each wheel, as well as motion sensors. The computer, receiving information from the sensors, adjusted the suspension accordingly. There was an independent wishbone suspension at the front, a five-link suspension at the rear, similar to the Mercedes-Benz 190.

    The wheel arches housed 17-inch wheels with five-spoke magnesium alloy wheels manufactured by Speedline. They were fitted with Michelin and Goodyear radial tires, 235/45 R17 at the front and 335/35 R17 at the rear.

    The car also received active steering called "cybernetic". It corrected for directional deviation, which could be caused, for example, by ruts and side winds or a road surface with varying tire grip.

    Brake system

    The 4-piston Brembo brake system had cast iron ventilated brake discs measuring 332 mm at the front and 304 mm at the rear. In addition, the prototype was equipped with the latest generation of anti-lock braking system (ABS) and brake pressure distribution (ASR).

    Exterior

    The prototype was designed in the company's conservative style with an emphasis on sportiness and manufacturability. As the first car since the C 111, it had servo-powered gullwing doors. Since the 1950s, they have been the symbol of Mercedes-Benz sports cars. The prototype was also equipped with active and passive elements to improve aerodynamics and driving stability. Designers abandoned the use of retractable headlights, which could destabilize the car at high speeds and worsen the drag coefficient. The headlights of the model were hidden behind transparent fairings, as on the C111-III prototype. To maintain low aerodynamic drag, only three air intakes were installed on the car: one on each side and one in the front. Side air intakes supplied cooling air to the engine compartment. Part of the air was directed to the rear brakes. Cooling air for the front brakes came from an air intake located at the front of the car for the engine radiator.

    The active elements of aerodynamics were rear and front spoilers, which were able to move, thereby increasing downforce at high speeds and turns. The estimated downforce of the C112 was about 1,000 kilograms at a speed of 306 kph.

    The aluminum body structure was designed to deform on impact to absorb impact energy. The drag coefficient of the Mercedes-Benz C112 was 0.30.

    Also, the prototype did not provide for either a luggage compartment or a special space for a spare wheel.

    Interior

    The interior of the prototype received a luxurious, leather, traditional for more expensive and flagship products of the company. The driver and passenger had two passenger seats, cruise control, power windows, a Becker Mexico 2000 stereo cassette system and climate control. To ensure the comfort of the passengers of the model, improved sound insulation was used.

    Other systems tested in the C 112 are tire pressure monitoring, which warned the driver of a sudden loss of pressure, radar warning of the distance to vehicles ahead, and so on.

    Sources

    Bodywork
    Presentation
    Years of production
    1991
    Body type
    купе
    Number of doors
    2
    Number of places
    2
    Engine
    Engine type
    бензиновый
    Engine location
    центральное, продольное
    Engine model
    Mercedes-Benz M120
    Cylinders
    V12
    V-angle
    60°
    Cylinder operation
    1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
    Capacity (cc)
    5987
    Power output (hp / kW /)
    408 /
    304 /
    at rpm
    5200
    Torque (N·m)
    580
    at rpm
    3800
    Bore (mm)
    89,0
    Stroke (mm)
    80,2
    Compression
    10,0
    Number of valves
    4/48
    Valvetrain
    DOHC
    Block material
    алюминиевый сплав
    Engine weight (kg)
    300
    Oil sump capacity (l)
    9,5
    Cooling volume (l)
    11,0
    Fuel system
    впрыск
    Fuel system model
    Bosch LH-Jetronic
    Turbocharger
    Specific
    Specific output (hp/litre)
    68,15
    Specific output (hp/tonne)
    260,37
    Specific output (kg/hp)
    3,84
    Specific torque (N·m/litre)
    96,88
    Specific torque (N·m/tonne)
    370,13
    Transmission
    Driven wheels
    задний
    Gearbox model
    Mercedes-Benz
    Gearbox
    механическая
    Number of speeds
    6
    Final drive ratio
    2,930
    First gear ratio
    3,640
    Second gear ratio
    2,420
    Third gear ratio
    1,690
    Fourth gear ratio
    1,240
    Fifth gear ratio
    1,030
    Sixth gear ratio
    0,810
    Reverse gear ratio
    3,360
    Suspension
    Front suspension
    независимая на двойных поперечных рычагах
    Rear suspension
    независимая многорычажная
    Elastic elements in front
    пружины
    Elastic elements in rear
    пружины
    Front anti-roll bar
    да
    Rear anti-roll bar
    да
    Wheels brand
    Speedline
    Wheel size front
    8,5J×17
    Wheel size rear
    13,0J×17
    Tire brand
    Michelin
    Tyres front
    235/45 R17
    Tyres rear
    335/35 R17
    Steering
    Steering type
    шестерня-рейка
    Power steering
    да
    Steering wheel turns
    3,3
    Brakes specs
    Brakes front
    дисковые вентилируемые
    Brakes rear
    дисковые вентилируемые
    Brand of brakes
    Brembo
    Front brake diameter (mm)
    332
    Rear brake diameter (mm)
    304
    Disc material
    чугун
    Number of caliper pistons (front/rear)
    4/4
    Anti-lock braking system
    да
    Dimensions and weight
    Body
    стальной трубчатый каркас
    Body material
    алюминий
    Length (mm)
    4616
    Width (mm)
    1976
    Height (mm)
    1195
    Wheelbase (mm)
    2700
    Front track (mm)
    1600
    Rear track (mm)
    1625
    Drag coefficien
    0,300
    Curb weight (kg)
    1567
    Trunk volume max (litre)
    0
    Performance specs
    Ecological class
    Евро 2
    CO₂ emissions (NEDC) (g/km)
    370
    Fuel tank capacity (l)
    100
    Fuel type
    Аи-95
    Dynamic specs
    Acceleration 0-100 kph (s)
    4,9
    Top speed (kph)
    310
    Top speed (mph)
    193
    Last modified
    26.07.2023

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