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Category | Endurance racing |
---|---|
Constructor | Mercedes-Benz |
Designer(s) | Rudolf Uhlenhaut |
Technical specifications | |
Engine | 3.0 L M194 I6 |
Competition history | |
Notable entrants | Daimler Benz AG |
Notable drivers | Hans Klenk Karl Kling Hermann Lang Rudolf Caracciola John Fitch |
The Mercedes-Benz W194 (also called 300 SL) is an endurance racer produced by Mercedes-Benz for the 1952 Sportscar racing season, its first after World War II.
Powered by the 3.0 litre SOHC straight-6 M194 engine, it ran off an impressive string of victories that included 24 Hours of Le Mans, Bern-Bremgarten, the Eifelrennen at Nürburgring, and Mexico's Carrera Panamericana.[1]
Only ten W194s were made.[2] This led to the iconic Mercedes 300 SL W198 Gullwing road car in 1954.[2] The W194 was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR in 1955.