PKW4171 "Stroke Eight" saloons, Types 200 D - 280 E (114, 115 series), 1968 - 1973

"Stroke Eight" saloons, Types 200 D - 280 E (114, 115 series), 1968 - 1973

At the same time as the 280 S, 280 SE and 280 SL models, in January 1968, a "New Generation" of intermediate-class cars, too, was presented. The original range of model series W 114/115 comprised six models, from the 200 D with 55 hp 4-cylinder Diesel-engine to the 250 with 130 hp 6-cylinder carburettor-engine. The top model, the Type 250, could be distinguished by its exterior from its more profane brethren; it was the only model to sport a double bumper at the front.

The 4-cylinder Types 200 D to 220 were bracketed together in series W 115, while both 6-cylinder models 230 and 250 were assigned to series W 114. The models of the "New Generation" are called "Stroke Eight" models, a reference to the date of their appearance.

The salient feature of the new models from a construction point of view was the so-called "diagonal swing axle". For the first time, a serially produced Mercedes-Benz passenger car was built with a semi-trailing arm axle. Profound work on the development had resulted in a significantly improved driving perfomance, compared to the preceding models, without compromising handling quality.

In November 1968, the new type range of the "New Generation" was rounded off at the upper end by the addition of the two coupé models 250 C and 250 CE. The presentation of these models was also a debut: For the first time, an exclusive coupé version had become available within the intermediate class product line.

Another body version, which was presented in December 1968, possessed even more exclusive character, at least as far as its sales price and the number of units produced is concerned: An eight-seater saloon with a wheelbase that had been extended by 650 mm and three rows of seats. It was available as Type 220 D and 230, and from autumn 1973 as 240 D and 230.6. This version, of which almost 10,000 units were produced, was used primarily by taxi services and travel agencies, air carriers, embassies and public authorities. The share of Diesel-powered cars was particularly high among the eight-seated models - with a share of 78 %, this figure was significantly higher than among the conventional saloons.

In keeping with tradition, saloon and the long version of the saloon were available as chassis with partial bodywork, which were then built into ambulance cars, estates or other special bodies by body makers at home and abroad. Part of the chassis sales programme with a standard wheelbase were the Types 220 D, 220 and 230 and with an extended wheelbase the Types 220 D and 230. The chassis, too, underwent model revision in autumn 1973: the 220 D was replaced by the 240 D and the 220 by the 230.4. The 6-cylinder Type 230 continued to be produced as a 230.6. The ambulance bodies built by the Binz company in Lorch and Miesen company in Bonn were particularly popular. The body makers Pollmann in Bremen, Rappold in Wülfrath, Stolle in Hannover and Welsch in Mayen were the best-known German firms for the production of funeral cars.

In April 1972 the range of saloon models was completed by the Types 280 and 280 E. Both were furnished with a new 2.8-liter 6-cylinder dohc-engine which delivered 160 hp in its carburettor version and 185 hp in its fuel-injection version. The new top models of this series could be distinguished from their less powerful counterparts even without a glance at the type label. Beside the double bumper of the 250 model they were the only saloons of the series with a rear bumper, reaching right up to the rear wheel arches, and with two exhaust tail pipes.

Since the 280 and 280 E had appeared on the market, the 250 was no longer delivered with the former 2.5-liter engine but also with the 2.8-liter unit, which was already familiar from the Type 280 S but was now used in slightly derated form giving 130 hp. The export version of the Type 250 for the United States and Canada had been fitted with this type of engine as early as July 1970.

After the color change: Mercedes-Benz 200 as a taxi in the new colour light ivory.
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Mercedes-Benz 200 Taxi
Mercedes-Benz type 220 D saloon, W 115, 1973.
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220 D saloon - W 115
Mercedes-Benz 250 Saloon of the W 114 model series, recorded in 1968.
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Mercedes-Benz 250 Saloon, W 114
Mercedes-Benz Typ 220 D lang bzw. 230 lang, 1968
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Mercedes-Benz Typ 220 D lang bzw. 230 lang, 1968
Mercedes-Benz Typ 220 D lang bzw. 230 lang, 1968
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Mercedes-Benz Typ 220 D lang bzw. 230 lang, 1968
Mercedes-Benz Typ 200, 200 D, 220, 220 D, 230 mit Tabbert-Gouverneur Wohnwagen, 1967 bis 1973
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MB Baureihe 114,115
Mercedes-Benz Typ 200, 200 D, 220, 220 D, 230 mit Tabbert-Gouverneur Wohnwagen, 1967 bis 1973
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MB Baureihe 114,115
Mercedes-Benz Typ 230, 1967 bis 1973(Lech am Arlberg)
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MB Baureihe 114,115
Mercedes-Benz Typ 250, Baureihe 114, 115, aus dem Jahre 1970
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MB Typ 250, Baureihe 114, 115
Mercedes-Benz 250
Limousine aus dem Jahre 1970
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz Typ 280 bzw. 280 E aus dem Jahre 1971
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MB 280 bzw. 280 E
Mercedes-Benz Typ 280 bzw. 280 E aus dem Jahre 1971
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MB 280 bzw. 280 E
Mercedes-Benz Typ 280 bzw. 280 E aus dem Jahre 1971
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MB 280 bzw. 280 E
In comparison: The Mercedes-Benz Saloon Type 250 (rear) together with the Research Vehicle Mercedes-Benz C 111/I with 3-disc Wankel engine, the 300 SEL 3.5-liter and the 300 SEL 6.3-liter in the steep curve of the entrance in Untertürkheim, 1969
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Mercedes-Benz 250, C 111/I, 300 SEL 3.5, 300 SEL 6.3 (W 114/115)
Mercedes-Benz 280, 280 E, W 114
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Mercedes-Benz 280, 280 E
Sindelfingen plant: For the ceremonial handover of the one millionth diesel passenger car, "Sonni" the TV lottery helicopter appeared, 07.09.1971.
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Sindelfingen plant
Top version: The Mercedes-Benz 280 and 280 E models from 1972 had a long bumper at the rear as a special feature. Class W 114/W 115
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Mercedes-Benz 280, 280 E (W 114/115)
Mercedes-Benz 220/220 D Limousine
1968 - 1973
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Mercedes-Benz 220/220 D
Mercedes-Benz 250
Limousine am Fischerhafen der Nordseeinsel Norderney, 1968
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz 200 
Limousine im bulgarischen Balkangebirge, 1968
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Mercedes-Benz 200
Mercedes-Benz 220
Limousine im Hochland von Sizilien
1968 - 1973
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Mercedes-Benz 220
Mercedes-Benz 250
Limousine vor dem Haupteingang der grossen Ausstellungshalle im Prager J. Fuciks Kultur- und Erholungspark
1968
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz 250 
Limousine, 1968
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz  250
Limousine, 1967 - 1972
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz 200/200 D/220/220 D
1968 - 1973
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Mercedes-Benz 200/200 D/220/220 D
Mercedes-Benz 200 D/220 D
1968 - 1973
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Mercedes-Benz 200 D/220 D
Mercedes-Benz 250 Limousine
1967 - 1972
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz  250
Limousine, 1967 - 1972
(Vor der Prager Burg auf dem Hradschin)
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz 220/220 D
Limousine, 1968 - 1973
(Am Mainufer)
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Mercedes-Benz 220/220 D
Mercedes-Benz 250 
Limousine, 1967 - 1972
(Ankunft des Bäderdampfers)
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz 250 Limousine
1967 - 1972
(Vor der Prager Burg auf dem Hradschin)
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz 200/200 D Limousine
1968 - 1973
(Eine Fähre über den Main)
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Mercedes-Benz 200/200 D
Mercedes-Benz Baureihe W 115 (links) und W 108
1968 - 1973
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Mercedes-Benz W 115, W 108
Model diversity: The mid-range W 114/115 series and the S-Class W 116 are icons of their age, pictured here at the 1973 IAA.
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IAA 1973
Marathon machine: Gregorios Sachinidis (left) presented his 240 D to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in 2004. Pictured center, Dr. Alexander Paufler, President of DaimlerChrysler Hellas, right Wolfgang Rolli, Museum Director.
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Mercedes-Benz Typ 240 D (W 115)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon, model series 212, 2009 version, and one of the predecessor models, a 250 (1968 - 1976), model series W 114, "dash-eight".
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E-Class Saloon - W 212, predecessor model 250 - W 114
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon, model series 212, 2009 version, and one of the predecessor models, a 250 (1968 - 1976), model series W 114, "dash-eight".
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E-Class Saloon - W 212, predecessor model 250 - W 114
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon, model series 212, 2009 version, and one of the predecessor models, a 250 (1968 - 1976), model series W 114, "dash-eight".
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E-Class Saloon - W 212, predecessor model 250 - W 114
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