In 1937 the organizers of the Avus Race decided to drop the requirement of compliance with the 750 kg formula in force at the time, but to allow a free formula without any weight limit. Mercedes-Benz used this opportunity to fit the DAB V 12, 5.6 litre engine that was originally designed for speed record attempts – with over 730 hp, but too heavy for the 750 kg formula – into a W 25 chassis.
In addition to the V 12 engine, an aerodynamic body similar to that used for record cars was added to help cope with the high-speed Avus track in Berlin, which in 1937, for the first time had a steep bend. Manfred von Brauchitsch was nominated to drive the Avus W 25, and he finished the second qualifying round in first place. He had to drop out of the race, however, due to a gear lever defect. On the straights he reached speeds of up to 380 kmh.
In Detail
tags | silver arrow, golden era |
submitted by | Richard Owen |
type | Record Car |
built at | Stuttgart, Germany |
engine | MD 25 DAB, 60 Degree V12 |
position | Front Longitudnal |
aspiration | Twin Supercharged |
valvetrain | DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl |
displacement | 5577 cc / 340.3 in³ |
bore | 82 mm / 3.23 in |
stroke | 88 mm / 3.46 in |
power | 563.8 kw / 756 bhp @ 5800 rpm |
specific output | 135.56 bhp per litre |
bhp/weight | 621.71 bhp per tonne |
body / frame | Aluminum over U-Section Pressed Steel Frame |
driven wheels | RWD |
front tires | 6.25×22 |
rear tires | 7.00×24 |
front brakes | Light -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist |
rear brakes | Light -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist |
steering | Worm & Nut |
f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Hydrualic Shock Abosrbers |
r suspension | De Dion Axle w/Torsion Bar Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers |
curb weight | 1216 kg / 2681 lbs |
wheelbase | 2725 mm / 107.3 in |
front track | 1473 mm / 58.0 in |
rear track | 1412 mm / 55.6 in |
length | 6300 mm / 248.0 in |
width | 1850 mm / 72.8 in |
height | 1200 mm / 47.2 in |
transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
top speed | ~362 kph / 224.9 mph |
Keyword: 1937 Mercedes-Benz W25 Avus Stromlinie