The Stroke Eight

The "New Generation" of the Mercedes-Benz mid-size range was presented in January 1968. The universal moniker "Stroke Eight" was derived from the year of its presentation.

Facts

Model series

W 114, W 115

Production period

1968-1973

Vehicle bodies

Saloon
Coupé
Eight-seat Saloon
Rolling chassis with partial body

Quantity

1,919,056 in all, of which
1,833,442 saloons
67,048 coupés
9895 eight-seat saloons
8671 rolling chassis with partial body

Technical development


Diagonal swing axle

Technical development


Diagonal swing axle

The most prominent constructive detail of the new models was the so-called "diagonal swing axle". As a result, a Mercedes-Benz production model was for the first time fitted with a rear axle with semi-trailing arms. Meticulous development work yielded considerably improved handling without sacrificing ride quality.

Top view of a Mercedes-Benz Stroke Eight axle.

Underside of the Mercedes-Benz "Stroke Eight" 200 – 250 Saloon, 1967-1973.

Model overview


Six models in the original model range

Model overview


Six models in the original model range

The original model line-up ranged from the 200 D with 55 hp four-cylinder diesel engine and the 220 to the 230 b and the 250 with 130 hp six-cylinder carburettor engine.

The top-of-the-range model, the 250 and its successors the 280 and 280E, were the only ones to feature a twin-blade front bumper. This set the six-cylinder W 114 models immediately apart visually.

Side view of a 200 model of the W 115 series.

Mercedes-Benz 200 of the W 115 series

Side view a Mercedes-Benz 250 Saloon.

Mercedes-Benz 250 Saloon

Advancement and vehicle bodies


Exterior

Advancement and vehicle bodies


Exterior

The model range was rounded off with the coupé models 250 C and 250 CE as early as November 1968. This was a première: for the first time, a coupé version was also available in the mid-size range.

The eight-seat Saloon presented in December 1968 had even more exclusive character. It featured a wheelbase extended by 650 mm and three rows of seats. Almost 10,000 saloons were produced and mainly used by taxi and tour operators, airlines, consulates, and public authorities. Diesel engines had a correspondingly high share of 78% among the eight-seaters.

The saloon and long-wheelbase saloon were again available as a rolling chassis with partial body, which body manufacturers in Germany and abroad fitted out as ambulances, estate cars or other special-purpose versions.

The 280 and 280 E models completed the range of saloons in April 1972. Both were equipped with a newly designed six-cylinder engine, which in the carburettor version produced 160 hp, and 185 hp with petrol injection. The new top-of-the-range models could also be identified without a model badge: besides the twin-blade bumper used on the 250 model, they were the only saloons of the model series to have a rear bumper extending all the way to the wheel arches, as well as two exhaust tailpipes.

Side view of a Coupé.

Mercedes-Benz Coupé

Side view of the 280 C, 280 CE model.

Mercedes-Benz 280 C, 280 CE, from the year 1972

Front view of a 220 D, 230 D.

Mercedes-Benz 220 D long wheelbase and 230 long wheelbase respectively, 1968

Side view of a 220 D long wheelbase.

Mercedes-Benz 220 D long wheelbase and 230 D long wheelbase respectively, 1968

Side view of a 200, 220 D or 230 as an ambulance.

Advert Mercedes-Benz: "On special assignment - Mercedes-Benz", Mercedes-Benz 220, 220 D or 230 ambulance, Miesen body

Exterior view of a 280 or 280 E model.

Mercedes-Benz 280 or 280 E from the year 1972

Front view of two 280 or 280 E models.

Mercedes-Benz 280 / 280 E of the W 114 series

All the details of the Stroke Eight

Classic-M@RS (Multimedia Archive and Research System)

Exterior view of a Stroke Eight.

All the details of the Stroke Eight

Classic-M@RS (Multimedia Archive and Research System)

The archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic hold a unique treasure trove from nearly 130 years of automotive history.

The archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic hold a unique treasure trove from nearly 130 years of automotive history.

Development phases


Development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Development phases


Development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

That is what came next

The 123 model series

Exterior view of a Mercedes-Benz of the 123 series.

That is what came next

The 123 model series

A completely newly designed model range technically based on the S-Class

A completely newly designed model range technically based on the S-Class

Overview: history of the E-Class

Collage of the development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Overview: history of the E-Class

New dossiers of historical models at regular intervals: from 1931 to 2018