Mercedes-Benz W120/W121

Mercedes-Benz W120/W121
Mercedes-Benz 180b (W120)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Production	1953–1962 442,963 built
Assembly	Germany  Australia: Port Melbourne[1]  South Africa: East London
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz W105 — 219 Mercedes-Benz W180 — 220a/S Mercedes-Benz W128 — 220SE
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length	180: 4,460 mm (175.6 in) 180 a / 190: 4,485 mm (176.6 in) 180 b/c, 190 b: 4,500 mm (177.2 in)
Width	1,740 mm (68.5 in)
Height	1,560 mm (61.4 in)
Curb weight	1,150 kg (2,540 lb)—1,220 kg (2,690 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W136 Mercedes-Benz W191
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W110

The Mercedes-Benz W120 and Mercedes-Benz W121 are technically similar inline-four cylinder sedans made by Daimler-Benz. The W120 was first introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1953. Powered initially by the company's existing 1.8 liter M136 engine, it was sold as the Mercedes-Benz 180 through 1962. From 1954, Mercedes-Benz also offered the W120 with a diesel engine as the Mercedes-Benz 180 D. The Mercedes-Benz W121 was introduced as the Mercedes-Benz 190 in 1956, powered by a 1.9 liter M121 engine. From 1958, the W121 was also offered with an OM621 engine, sold as the Mercedes-Benz 190 D through 1961.

The W120 was nicknamed the Ponton (along with other Mercedes models) after its introduction, because it employed ponton, or pontoon styling, a prominent styling trend that unified a car's previously articulated hood, body, fenders and running boards into a singular envelope.

Together with the longer wheelbase and more luxurious 2.2-liter inline-six cylinder W128 model 220, they constituted 80 percent of Mercedes-Benz' car production between 1953 and 1959.^[2]

The W120 was the first predecessor to the medium size Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan line.^[3]