50,000 kilometers in eight days: the record of the baby Benz

In 1983, Mercedes provided proof of how tough the then top model of the W 201 series was! Three world records were set at temperatures of 40 degree amortizoare kyb pret fata si spate.

50,000 kilometers in eight days: the record of the baby Benz

Yes, the engines of old Mercedes models are usually considered very strong and durable. But Mercedes proved how strong such an engine can be on the Nardo track in 1983. There, three Mercedes W 201s were tested to the limit in outside temperatures of over 40 degrees. And it was worth it, because in August 1983, Mercedes set three new world records.

At distances of 25,000 kilometers, just over 40,000 kilometers and most impressively: over 50,000 kilometers. The fastest of the three models, the 190 2.3-16, drove day and night for just over eight days – at full throttle! Stopping only for the most necessary things, such as refueling, the baby-Benz otherwise drove for a total of 201 hours 39 minutes and 43 seconds. The fact that it took the Benz of the W 201 series almost 201 hours to set this record seems almost a given.

The fact that this incredible power was achieved almost continuously at top speed, i.e. 250 km/h, only makes the story even more incredible. What's more, the drivers didn't feel dizzy: after all, the Nardo racetrack is only 12.6 kilometers long. That's almost 4,000 laps!

Of course, the 190 doesn't remain completely in production condition for this project. Although Mercedes retains the original 185 hp output, the bodywork has been aerodynamically optimized and – among other things – the injection system has been changed, as the engine has to withstand almost constant load in the red zone (from 6,000 rpm). Weight has also been reduced to some extent, for example there is no rear seat.

Today, one of the three record-breaking cars can be seen in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. There, in a tilted position, it ranks right behind the speed record holder W 125! By the way: of the three W 201s tested in Nardò, all successfully crossed the finish line after 50,000 kilometers; the “green” one – the three examples were marked with different colors – which “stands” in the museum, takes third place. The white Mercedes is the fastest, while the red one remains in second place.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

Yes, the engines of old Mercedes models are usually considered very strong and durable

At distances of 25,000 kilometers, just over 40,000 kilometers and most impressively: over 50,000 kilometers