Mercedes-Benz W194
| 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.
Only ten W194s were made. This led to the iconic Mercedes 300 SL W198 Gullwing road car in 1954. The W194 was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR in 1955.