In past decades, cars were typically presented at major motor shows and many of these events took place in the first quarter of the year. As a result, some of the most famous Mercedes-Benz models can now celebrate milestone birthdays, e.g. the 500 K (W 29), the 300 SL (W 198), the 190 SL (W 121) and the SLK (R 171).
90 years ago - Presentation of the Mercedes-Benz 500 K in Berlin
Mercedes-Benz presented the 500 K (W 29) as a powerful and sporty top-class touring car at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition (IAMA) in Berlin from March 8 to 18, 1934. The vehicle with an eight-cylinder supercharged engine produced 74 kW (100 hp) and 188 kW (160 hp) with the supercharger switched on. The 500 K is aimed at those discerning customers who were thrilled by the large-volume, high-performance vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz S-series at the end of the 1920s.
Its technical features include its modern chassis with trapezoidal-link front axle and rear swing axle, as well as a top speed of 160 km/h. This speed corresponds to the important 100 mph mark. At that time, only a few sporty production vehicles achieved this. By 1936, a total of 354 examples of the Mercedes-Benz 500 K had been built, many of them with elaborately customized bodies. Today, the sporty luxury automobile is one of the brand's most coveted classics.
70 years ago - Presentation of the 190 SL and 300 SL in New York
Mercedes-Benz presented two new sports cars at the International Motor Sports Show in New York from February 6 to 14, 1954. The 300 SL "Gullwing" super sports car (W 198) and the sporty 190 SL touring car (W 121) thrilled the public. Both were inspired by Maximilian E. Hoffman, Mercedes-Benz importer for the eastern USA. Friedrich Geiger's design establishes the SL face of sporty Mercedes-Benz production vehicles.
The 300 SL with its characteristic gullwing doors was derived from the 1952 racing sports car of the same name (W 194). It was launched on the market in 1954 and became an iconic sports car of the century. The compact 190 SL roadster, presented in New York as a pre-production model, followed in 1955 and became a particularly successful model on the North American market: by 1960, the 190 SL accounted for almost 18 percent of all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars delivered to the USA. This confirms the assessment of Maximilian E. Hoffman: in 1953, he suggested that the brand should transfer the fascination of luxurious sportiness into a compact roadster. The 190 SL received its technology from the "Ponton" saloons of the upper mid-range (W 120). The 300 SL Roadster (W 198) presented in 1957 was also inspired by Hoffman.
70 years ago - Presentation of the Mercedes-Benz 220 in Geneva
The new "Ponton" six-cylinder saloons celebrate their premiere at the 24th Geneva Motor Show (March 11 to 21, 1954). The luxury-class vehicles of the W 180, W 105 and W 128 series set standards in their segment with modern technology. The four-cylinder models of the W 120 series with a 170 millimeter shorter wheelbase had already been launched the previous year. All vehicles are based on a sophisticated common parts concept in order to efficiently offer a comprehensive range of passenger cars.
The Mercedes-Benz 220 is characterized by a self-supporting body in pontoon form, the so-called "three-box design". The passenger cell at the front and rear merges into almost cubic vehicle areas. The fenders are fully integrated into the body. Compared to its predecessor of the same name in the W 187 model series, the Mercedes-Benz 220 "Ponton" is lighter and more streamlined. While the front double-wishbone axle with suspension pivot concept originates from the W 120, the rear axle is a new design: the single-joint swing axle with low pivot point developed for the W 196 Formula 1 racing car is used for the first time in a series-produced Mercedes-Benz passenger car. It significantly increased driving safety and comfort.
20 years ago - Presentation of the renewed SLK in Geneva
The SLK of the R 171 series is presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show from March 4 to 14, 2004. The SLK 200 and SLK 350 models are launched first. The 265 kW (360 hp) SLK 55 AMG will follow at the end of the year as the top-of-the-range model - the first SLK with a V8 engine. The R 171 model series continues the successful concept of the first SLK of the R 170 model series as a compact and easy-to-handle sports car. One of its main features: the steel vario-roof. Within a few seconds, the roadster becomes a coupé.
One of the technical innovations in the R 171 model series is the innovative AIRSCARF headroom heating system, which Mercedes-Benz is launching in the SLK. A new mechanism increases the trunk volume when the roof is open: the rear window rotates around its transverse axis when closed so that its curvature points upwards when the roof is down. The new V6 engines with four-valve technology and individual ignition also make their debut in the SLK 350.
