Mercedes-Benz W115

Mercedes-Benz W114/W115
1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1968–1976 1,919,056 built Saloon: 1,852,008 Coupé: 67,048
Assembly	Stuttgart, West Germany Bremen, West Germany Sindelfingen, West Germany East London, South Africa Setúbal, Portugal (Movauto) Barcelona, Venezuela (CKD) González Catán, Argentina
Designer	Paul Bracq
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupé 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz W116
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L M115 I4 (petrol) 2.2 L M115 I4 (petrol) 2.3 L M115 I4 (petrol) 2.3 L M180 I6 (petrol) 2.5 L M114 I6 (petrol) 2,746 cc M110 I6 (petrol) 2,778 cc M130 I6 (petrol) 2.0 L OM615 I4 (diesel) 2.2 L OM615 I4 (diesel) 2.4 L OM616 I4 (diesel) 3.0 L OM617 I5 (diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2,750 mm) 133.9 in (3,400 mm) (limousine)
Length	184.3 in (4,680 mm) 195.5 in (4,970 mm) (US bumpers) 209.8 in (5,330 mm) (limousine)
Width	69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height	56.75 in (1,441 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W110
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W123

The Mercedes-Benz W114 and W115 models are a series of sedans and coupés introduced in 1968 by Mercedes-Benz, manufactured through model year 1976, and distinguished in the marketplace by names relating to their engine size.

W114 models featured six-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 230, 250, and 280, while W115 models featured four-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 200, 220, 230, and 240.

All were styled by Paul Bracq, featuring a three-box design. At the time Mercedes marketed sedans in two size classes, with the W114/W115 positioned below the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Beginning in 1968, Mercedes marketed their model range as New Generation Models, giving their ID plates the designation '/8' (due to their 1968 Launch year). Because they were the only truly new cars of the so-called 'New Generation' and because of the '/8' or 'slash eight' designation, W114 and W115 models ultimately received the German nickname Strich Acht, loosely translated into the English stroke eight.

The W114/W115 models were the first post-war Mercedes-Benz production car to use a newly engineered chassis, not derived from preceding models. The new chassis format of semi-trailing rear arms and ball-joint front end first displayed in the W114/W115 chassis would be used in all new Mercedes passenger car models until the development of the multi-link rear suspensions of the 1980s. The W108/109 S-Class chassis of the 280S/8, 280SE/8 and 300SEL/8 (and W113 280SL Pagoda) would be the last of the low-pivot swing axle and king pin/double wishbone front ends. The next S-Class -the W116 chassis- having the same engineering of the W114/115.

The W114/W115 models replaced the W110 Fintail models stemming from 1961, and were themselves replaced by the W123 series after 1976.

The Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 was the mid-sized saloon model for Mercedes, positioned below the S-Class. Mercedes also launched its first 5-cylinder diesel engine OM617 in this chassis. It followed heavily in the direction set by the W108/109 S-class, which was launched in 1965 and heralded the new design idiom. The car was designed by French auto designer Paul Bracq who was chief designer at Mercedes-Benz for models from 1957 to 1967, a period that included models such as the Grosser Mercedes-Benz 600. Bracq was also responsible for BMW designs (1970–74) and Peugeot designs (1974–96).