The Mercedes-Benz M23 engine is a naturally-aspirated, 1.3-liter, inline-4 gasoline engine, designed, developed and produced by Mercedes-Benz; between 1933 and 1936.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
| Mercedes-Benz M23 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | 1933-1936 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | Inline-4 |
| Displacement | 1.3–1.7 L (79–104 cu in) |
| Cylinder bore | 70–72 mm (2.8–2.8 in) |
| Piston stroke | 85–92 mm (3.3–3.6 in) |
| Valvetrain | 16-valve, DOHC, two-valves per cylinder |
| Compression ratio | 6.0:1[1] |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | Carburetor |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Oil system | Dry sump |
| Output | |
| Power output | 25–55 hp (19–41 kW) |
| Torque output | 74 lb⋅ft (100 N⋅m) |
Development and prototype engines (W17/W25D)
editAt the beginning of the 1930s, there were attempts to move car engines from the forward compartment to the rear of the car. Such a move allows a reduction in the volume of the front compartment. At the same time, the voluminous rear provides a lot of space above and behind the rear axle. Moreover, when engines are rear-mounted, the drive shaft is eliminated.
In 1930, Daimler-Benz entrusted Hans Nibel with the development of a small rear-engined car, starting from the same principles. In 1931, working with Max Wagner, the type W17 or 120(H) was created, a two-door, equipped with a four-cylinder boxer engine in the rear with a displacement of 1200 cc and a power of 25 hp (18.4 kW). There were also attempts with transverse four-cylinder inline engines. In 1932/1933 Mercedes built a prototype with a front similar to the later VW Beetle, and a longer tail.[10]
Mercedes-Benz 130 (W23) engine
editCreated in 1931 by Nibel, it had the 1.3 liter sidevalve[11] four-cylinder engine mounted at the back, hence the "H", from German heck (rear),[12] With the fan between the rear coil springs,[13] it drove a transmission with three forward speeds, plus a semi-automatic overdrive which did not require the use of a clutch.[11]
Mercedes-Benz 150 (W30) engine
editIt was derived in 1935 from the 130, and a more powerful engine. Displacing 1498 cc and a power of 55 PS (40 kW). The engine powered the car to a top speed of 125 km/h.
Created in 1934 by Nibel and chassis engineer Max Wagner.[12] the 150H was a two-seat sports roadster.[12] It featured transverse leaf spring front and coil-sprung swing axle rear suspension. A water-cooled 1,498 cc (91.4 cu in) OHC four-cylinder engine, producing 55 hp (41 kW), was mounted in back, hence the "H", from German heck (rear).[12] The radiator was behind that, above the transaxle, with a squirrel-cage blower[12] (reminiscent of the VW Type 1) feeding both radiator and carburetor.[12]
The gas tank, which in the case of the Mercedes-Benz 130 was installed over the engine, was transferred to the front compartment.
Mercedes-Benz 170 H (W28) engine
editIn 1936, in parallel to the classical front-engine Mercedes-Benz 170 V, Daimler-Benz AG introduced the Mercedes-Benz 170 H which had the same engine as the 170 V, with an architecture derived from the one of the 130, its predecessor. The 170 H was powered by a four-cylinder 1697 cc engine with a power of 38 PS (28 kW). The "H" stood for "Heckmotor", or rear engine.[14]
Applications
editReferences
edit- ^ "Mercedes-Benz M23 Engine". Sportlich-Leicht.
- ^ Greene, Nik (September 27, 2021). Mercedes-Benz Saloon Coupe: The Complete Story. Crowood Press. ISBN 9781785009341 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz M23 Engine". Sportlich-Leicht.
- ^ "MERCEDES BENZ Typ 150 Sport Roadster (W30) specs & photos - 1934, 1935, 1936". autoevolution.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz 150 Sport Roadster (W 30 series, 1934 - 1936)". marsMediaSite.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz 150 Sport Saloon (W 30 series, 1934)". marsMediaSite.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz 170 H (W 28 series, 1936 - 1939)". marsMediaSite.
- ^ "MERCEDES BENZ Typ 170 H (W28) specs & photos - 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939". autoevolution.
- ^ "Mercedes 170 H: The Beetle Before the Beetle". dyler.com.
- ^ "DKW Auto-Union Project: DKW's 1933 Rear Engine Streamliner". April 1, 2017.
- ^ a b Setright, L. J. K. "Mercedes-Benz: The German Fountain-head", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Vol. 11, p.1311.
- ^ a b c d e f Lyons, Pete. "10 Best Ahead-of-Their-Time Machines", in Car and Driver, 1/88, p.73.
- ^ Setright, p.1311 photo.
- ^ Osborne, Donald (December 2013). "1936 Mercedes-Benz 170H Saloon". Sports Car Market. 25 (12): 56–57.