Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA: Benz Patent Motor Car Velocipede Of 1894 - The World's First Production Car

Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA: Benz Patent Motor Car Velocipede Of 1894 - The World's First Production Car

Carl Benz played a prominent role in promoting the development of the automobile. Production of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886, the world鈥檚 first automobile, ran to around 25 examples. The vehicle鈥檚 name was apt: Carl Benz had also been engaged in the development of bicycles, called velocipedes at the time. At an early stage, he used this designation for his first three-wheelers - probably to distinguish his light automobiles from the heavy motorized carriages. The Velo fulfilled all the criteria its designer had specified. It was light, robust, fast and comparatively inexpensive - with its "perfectly refined equipment complete with lanterns", it cost 2,000 marks which, however, was not exactly cheap at the time. The car's top speed was 20 km/h. It was fitted with a wooden frame with iron reinforcements. It had compact dimensions and was 2.25 meters long - 45 centimeters shorter than the Benz three-wheeler - and it looked rather delicate on its wire-spoke wheels.

The first version of 1894 tipped the scales at 280 kilograms - as much as 380 kilograms less than the Victoria. The car featured rigid axles front and rear. The double-pivot steering was operated via a vertical steering column in the center of the car. Benz designed a new, smaller engine for the Velo. As before, this was installed horizontally, developed 1.5 hp (1.1 kW) at 450/min from a displacement of 1,045 cc and had a bore/stroke of 110/110 millimeters. Initially, Benz used his surface carburetor, to replace it at a later stage by the floating carburetor, which had equally been designed by him. As on the three-wheeler, the engine was started by the turning of the flywheel to chug away at an even rhythm. The fuel tank under the seat bench had a capacity of almost 18 liters - which seems to be plentiful at first glance but is put into perspective by a fuel consumption of some 14 liters per 100 kilometers.

The engine, installed under a wooden hood, drove the countershaft with a loose disc, a fixed disc and an integrated differential via two flat belts, with two chains running from the differential to the two rear wheels. As on the larger engines of the three-wheeler and Victoria models, the crankcase was still open; an enclosed housing was not incorporated until 1898. The car had two forward gears but, initially, no reverse. Power was transferred to the road via a two-stage flat-belt transmission. The Velo rolled on wire-spoke wheels with solid rubber tires, 550 millimeters in diameter at the front and 850 millimeters at the rear. The wheelbase was 1,340 millimeters long; the track width was 1,000 millimeters at the front and 1,040 millimeters at the rear. In 1896, an improved version of the Velo - the "Comfortable" model - became available at a price of 2,500 marks. It came with better equipment in every respect, and pneumatic tires were optionally available at a surcharge of 350 marks. The diameter of the wheels was 540 millimeters at the front, 780 millimeters at the rear. A revised model was introduced in 1900, with an engine developing 3 hp (2.2 kW) at 700/min from an unchanged displacement of 1,045 cc. The transmission with reverse gear introduced in 1896 now formed part of the standard specifications. In 1901, engine output was raised still further to 3.5 hp (2.6 kW). With his Velo, Carl Benz achieved two things above anything else. First of all, the production volume of more than 1,200 units testified to people's great desire for personal mobility independent of horses. And secondly, the Velo paved the way which was followed by Benz with his company: building cars in large series.

339. Your acquisition fee may vary by dealership. The acquisition fee charged by the dealer may affect the total cash due at signing. No security deposit required. 595 vehicle turn-in fee. 20,945 plus taxes (and any other fees and charges due under the applicable lease agreement) in example shown. Subject to credit approval. Specific vehicles are subject to availability and may have to be ordered. See participating dealer for details. Please always wear your seat belt, drive safely and obey speed limits. Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at participating dealers through July 1, 2019. Not everyone will qualify. 94,346. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge and Premium 1 Package. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options. 1,089. Your acquisition fee may vary by dealership. The acquisition fee charged by the dealer may affect the total cash due at signing.