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Mercedes-Benz W112 Cabriolet 300 SE (160 Hp)
Overall Rating
Mercedes-Benz W112:
The Mercedes-Benz W112 is a luxury automobile produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1961 to 1967. Marketed as the 300SE, it was available as a standard sedan , stretched sedan , and distinct coupé and convertible.
The sedan is based on the Mercedes-Benz W111 Fintail chassis and coachwork. The 300SE coupe/convertible was introduced in February 1962, and shares its more restrained and elegant Paul Bracq designed bodywork and interior with the Mercedes-Benz W111 220SE coupe/convertible. The stretched wheelbase 300SE "Lang" sedan appeared in March 1963, redesignated the 300SEL in 1964....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Cabriolet Overview:
Mercedes-Benz W112 (Cabriolet). With 251 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1690 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 12.5 s). The top speed reaches 185 km/h. A convertible car with a retractable roof, offering open-air driving experiences. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Mercedes-Benz W112 Cabriolet was produced long before the establishment of Euro NCAP (1997) and modern crash safety standards. Its safety features are rudimentary by today's measures, focusing on structural integrity and basic restraints of its time.
300 SE (160 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Capable performance, though marginally less potent than the 170 Hp variant, still delivering a smooth and refined driving experience.
Fuel Economy
Acceptable fuel economy for a luxury cruiser of its era, slightly higher consumption than the 170 Hp manual.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Timeless, elegant design and styling
- • Exceptional ride comfort thanks to air suspension
- • High-quality interior materials and craftsmanship
- • Strong performance for its era, especially the 170 Hp automatic
- • Prestigious and collectible classic car status
Cons:
- • High fuel consumption by modern standards
- • Expensive to maintain and restore due to rarity and specialized parts
- • Lack of modern safety features
- • Complex air suspension can be costly to repair
- • Manual gearbox can feel dated compared to modern transmissions
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model: | W112 |
| Generation: | Cabriolet |
| Modification (Engine): | 300 SE (160 Hp) |
| Start of production: | February, 1962 |
| End of production: | January, 1964 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Cabriolet |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 160 Hp @ 5000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 53.4 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 251 Nm @ 3800 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | M 189 I / 189.985 |
| Engine displacement: | 2996 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 85 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 88 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.7:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 13 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 12.5 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 12.5 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 185 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 10.6 kg/Hp, 94.7 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 6.7 kg/Nm, 148.5 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 11.9 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1690 |
| Max. weight: | 2160 |
| Max load: | 470 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 65 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4880 mm mm |
| Width: | 1845 mm mm |
| Height: | 1400 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2750 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1482 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1490 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Steering type | Cone worm with recirculation balls |
| Tires size | 6J x 14 |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone, Transverse stabilizer, Air suspension |
| Rear suspension | Air suspension, Transverse stabilizer, Trailing arm |
If you could change one thing about the Mercedes-Benz W112, what would it be?