The Mercedes-Benz C111 was a series of experimental automobiles produced by Mercedes-Benz in the 1960s and 1970s. The company was experimenting with new engine technologies, including Wankel engines, diesel engines and turbochargers, and used the basic C111 platform as a platform of test. Other experimental features included multi-link rear suspension, gull-wing doors and a luxurious leather-trimmed interior and air conditioning.

The first version of the C111 was completed in 1969. The car used a fiberglass body and a three-rotor direct injection Wankel engine with intermediate assembly (code name M950F). The next C111 appeared in 1970. It used a four-rotor engine producing 257 kW (350 hp). The car would have reached a speed of 300 km / h (186 mph).

The company decided not to adopt the Wankel engine and turned to Diesel experiments for the second and third C111. The C111-IID produced 140 kW (188 hp) and was based on the OMD16 240D 3.0 W115 engine.

The C111-III was equipped with a 4.5 kW (228 hp) and 4,500 rpm OM617 turbocharged engine, which broke nine diesel and gasoline speed records. With a more aerodynamic body that gave it an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.161, the C111 eventually reached 320 km / h on the Nardò Ring in 1978, and an average of 16.0 liters / 100 km at 316 km / h (14.7 mpg at 195, 4 mph) over a 12-hour cruise.

The latest 37 K kW V8 version with a 372 kW (500 hp) turbocharger set another record, with an average lap speed of 403.78 km / h (250,958 mph). This was achieved by Hans Leibold in 1 minute, 56.67 seconds on May 5, 1979. The total production was 16 cars: 13 first and second generation Wankel engine cars, 2 used third generation diesel cars Attempting to record Nardo, and a single V8 with fourth generation engine.

The Mercedes-Benz "Ponton" series is a range of car models from Daimler-Benz, launched in July 1953, dominated by salons / salons and nicknamed "Ponton", the German word for "pontoon", referring to at the side plate, three-box, general shape of the cars - a change from post-war car design, also commonly known as ponton designation.

In addition to the obvious visual innovation, the design of the Benz 'Ponton' car introduced changes in construction that significantly improved automotive safety for passengers through better protection against collisions. Pontons constituted 80% of Mercedes-Benz's car production between 1953 and 1959.

The 1953 Mercedes-Benz W120, marketed as four-cylinder sedans, was the first entirely new series of Mercedes passenger cars since World War II and replaced the pre-war Type 170 and Type 170 S.

Visibly contrasting with the traditional distinctive bumpers on that body-to-body model and the previous ones, the "Pontons" were the first monocordic models of body production.

Mercedes expanded the Ponton base model to a diversified line, developing several series, based on the 180 model, introducing more engines and stretching the body. Six-cylinder models received a longer nose, and the 'S' models also have a longer passenger compartment, offering more legroom.

A six-cylinder coupe and convertible were derived, and a reduced floor of the four-cylinder sedan was also modified to serve as the framework for the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL roadster.

The "Ponton" salons were the main production models of the automaker until 1959 (although some models lasted until 1962), and were replaced by the "Heckflosse" or "Fintail" models.