When it comes to body design, it fits perfectly into the line that Mercedes-Benz started in the mid-108s with the W109 and W110 models. At the same time, this car is a worthy successor to the W8 Baureihe. The Strich 1967 is actually born in December 1968. However, the official launch takes place in 114. Anyway, the Mercedes-Benz W115/WXNUMX series is more than half a century young.
Under the watchful eye of Friedrich Geiger, Paul Bracq is steadily working on a modern Mercedes for the upper middle class. As early as 1961, the first pen strokes appeared on the large drawing boards. A long process of development then takes place. The official premiere of the Strich 8 is planned for January 1968. From that moment on it is clear that the four-cylinder models (petrol and diesel) are known as Mercedes-Benz W115 Baureihe. The six-cylinder models have the internal designation Mercedes-Benz W114.
Safety and chassis
Safety is one of the issues in the development of the Strich 8, where the concept is subjected to extensive accident testing. In addition, the new Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 will have a modern chassis and the subframes will be attached to the body via rubber suspension points. At the front are double wishbones arranged transversely, which provide stability with rotational axes. At the rear, Mercedes-Benz is installing, among other things, a new oblique rear axle construction with sloping wishbones, modestly called "Diagonal Pendelachse" by Mercedes-Benz. Furthermore, all variants have disc brakes all round.
Engines and milestone
In terms of motorization, the Mercedes-Benz W114 models kick off with the six-cylinder M180 and M114 power source, with 2292 cc and 2496 cc. The Mercedes-Benz W115 is fitted with four-cylinder petrol engines (M115, 2 liters and 2,2 liters) and four-cylinder diesel engines (OM 615, 2 liters and 2,2 liters). Not long after its introduction, the new Benz Baureihe marks a milestone. On May 9, 1968, a 220 D is the two millionth Mercedes-Benz passenger car.
Changes and expansion of body variants
In addition, the first changes to the Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 series will soon take place. Series 1 replaces series 0.5 in 1969 and is characterized, among other things, by a higher quality finish. Furthermore, at that time the coupé made its public debut, and this variant is equipped with the M114 engine, which is available in both carburetion trim and with injection (250 CE). At that time, the "Lang-Versionen" are also on the program, and they can be equipped with four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines and with the M180 six-cylinder.
Two point eight
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating the Strich 8 models up to the model year 1974, and the upper middle class is also developing further from a motor point of view. The 2,8 liter engine of the M130 type replaced the M1972 engine in 250 in the 114 Coupé. The 280 also appears together with the 280 E. The engines (2 overhead camshafts, optionally with carburetion and injection) are of the M110 type, and they also find their way to the 280 coupé. The arrival of these engines coincides with the launch of Series 1.5. With this model upgrade, especially the safety features are taken to a higher level. The Strich 8 gets laminated glass, automatic seat belts and an improved safety steering wheel.
Major changes, five-cylinder diesel
A facelift is being planned for the 1974 model year. From August 1973, the double bumper at the front disappears on every model. Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz Strich will have 8 front doors without ventilation windows and with integrated mirror(s). The ribbed taillights (dirt-resistant) also form a Merk mold of the modified Benz. At the front, the grille (Breitkühler) changes. From this “Series 2” the automatics are fitted with a torque converter. The 220 petrol models will be discontinued, while a 230.4 will be replaced (M115 engine with increased displacement). In the diesel area, the OM 616 (for the 240D) will be available. The first five-cylinder diesel version follows more than a year later. The OM 617 finds its way to the 1974D 240 from the autumn of 3.0. Mercedes-Benz is successful with the renewed Mercedes-Benz W114/W115, because in 1974 the Strich 8 is the best-selling car in the Federal Republic.
Success number from Mercedes-Benz
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is busy developing the W123, which will be shown to the public for the first time in 1975. The Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 will also be kept in the program for a while after the introduction of the W123. The last copies roll off the line in December 1976. The Mercedes-Benz W1,9 and Mercedes-Benz W114 are produced no less than 115 million times. This makes it one of the most successful Mercedes-Benz models in history.
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Very few of the nearly 2 million built have survived.
Currently there are even more Volvo Amazons and catbacks on the road that stopped production much earlier and of which only 600.000 units have been built (Amazon)
I myself drove a W15 for 115 years, it was an annual battle against the beginnings of rust, despite good periodic rust prevention.
There are still a lot of them on the road, most of them have been exported because of their enormous durability and have therefore disappeared from our view, abroad the Volvos never got the reputation they had in the Netherlands, that's why they have never been so popular to buy. come get it, in the former Eastern bloc or in Africa you never see an Amazon or a cat's back, but it is still full of old benzen and Peugeot's 😉
Have very fond memories of the strich 8 series
Had a car damage repair company in those years and from 1973 we had a Celette straightening bench with molds on which we have aimed and repaired dozens of Mercedes.
We had taxi companies and the Mercedes dealer as customer
It wasn't just Mercedes that we repaired, all brands came to our workshop
But still the Benzen were favorite with our mechanics, there were few brands that were so repair friendly
I look at the photos with sadness. My very first Mercedes that I could afford at the age of 30 was a W 115 1,5 200 petrol. Insanely happy in March 1976 when I drove out of the showroom with it. Many more types followed, with the current final model being a 500 S 2016 Lang, probably my last Mercedes. And what a difference in 40 years but the first one was the most fun.
Timelessly beautiful car, in every color. It is noteworthy that in the same car both 55 PK (200D) and 185 PK (280E) were placed. You never knew what was coming in the mirror.
The first machines in Germany are called the “Rück-o-Matic”.