Mercedes-Benz W 196 R racing car, 1954

2.5-liter Formula 1 monoposto racing car for the 1954 season

Engine type:
M 196 R
Inlet valves:
1 inclined overhead valve per cylinder, desmodromic valve gear
Ignition sequence:
1-4-7-6-8-5-2-3
No. of cylinders / arrangement:
8 / in line
Outlet valves:
1 inclined overhead valve per cylinder, desmodromic valve gear
Configuration:
Front, longitudinal; 53° inclination to the right
Valve operation:
2 overhead camshafts per cylinder block, gear drive
Ignition adjustment:
Automatically
Combustion principle:
Four-stroke Otto (with direct injection)
Crankshaft:
10-bearing (roller bearings), Hirth-type crankshaft with central power take-off
Bore x Stroke:
76 x 68.8 mm
Fuel system:
Direct injection, Bosch 8-plunger injection pump PES 8 KL 70/320/3 RV
Total displacement:
2496 cc
Spark plugs:
2 per cylinder, Bosch W 290 T 17
Fuel supply:
Gear-wheel double-pump
Compression ratio:
12
Fuel tank capacity:
265 l
Maximum / output / rated output:
256 hp at 8260 /min
Fuel consumption:
30-40 l
Rated torque:
app. 30 mkg
Cooling:
Water circulation cooling
Maximum revolutions:
9500 /min
Lubrication:
Dry-sump lubrication via gear pump
Cylinders:
2 steel blocks (of 4 cylinders each) with welded-on cooling-water jackets
Oil consumption:
2.5 l
Cylinder head:
Not removable, welded together with cylinders
Starter:
Not fitted
Generator:
Not fitted
Battery:
Not fitted
Ignition:
High-voltage magneto ignition
Ignition system:
Bosch twin magneto MZ/ZJ 08 R

Hand brake:
Not fitted
Foot brake:
Acting on front- and rear wheels
Steering:
Worm-and-sector steering
Wheels:
Wire-spoke wheels, central mounting
Front tires:
6.00 x 16
Frame design:
Tubular space frame
Rear tires:
7.00 x 16
Front wheel suspension:
Double wishbone, torsion bar springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Drivetrain:
By cardan shaft to transaxle and rear wheels
Rear wheel suspension:
Single-joint swing axle, longitudinal torsion-bar springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Brake system:
Hydraulically actuated dual-circuit brake system
Front brakes:
Inboard duplex drum brakes with air-cooled light-alloy drums, 350 mm diameter
Rear brakes:
Inboard duplex drum brakes with air-cooled light-alloy drums, 275 mm diameter

Transmission:
5-speed manual transmission in unit with differential gear, mounted behind rear axle
Shifting:
Gate shift with locking system
Clutch:
Dry single-disc clutch
Transmission type:
Change-speed gear
Gear ratios:
I: 2.4; II: 1.75; III: 1.43; IV: 1.07; V: 0.86
Final drive ratio:
2.222*
Maximum speed:
over 300 km/h

Wheelbase:
2210 mm
Front track:
1330 mm
Rear track:
1358 mm
Length:
4025 mm
Width:
1625 mm
Height:
1040 mm
Vehicle weight:
835 kg**
Comments:
* Axle-drive ratios used: Z1/Z2 i 13/41 3.1538 15/42 2.8 16/43 2.6875 16/42 2.625 17/42 2.4706 17/41 2.4118 16/37 2.3125 18/40 2.222 18/39 2.1667 Bevel-gear pair 14/23, i-1.6429 Crankshaft/output shaft 32/36, i-1.125 ** There were no weight regulations in the racing formula; the weight refers to the ready-for-operation status.
Engine weight:
204 kg
Seats:
1