Mercedes Silver Arrow - A racing car full of tradition

The Mercedes Silver Arrow is truly a racing car full of tradition. The Silver Arrows from Mercedes have Mercedes Silver Arrows have won many victories. The models from the pre-war period in particular were the international racing mechanically and also in their adaptability thanks to an outstanding development ahead of their time. When one speaks of the "Silver Arrow era" in racing, everyone interested in racing racing enthusiast knows directly what is meant by this. The Mercedes models have the racing history. and advanced racing so that it is what it is today.

Insight into the history of the Mercedes Silver Arrow

If you're interested in racing, you're no stranger to the Mercedes Silver Arrows! But how did the term Silver Arrow come about in the first place? For this we need an insight into the history of the Mercedes Silver Arrow. Learn more about the Silver Arrows now: From their origins, to the records set, to the individual Silver Arrow models.

Mercedes Silver Arrow - Origin of the term

The origin of the term Mercedes Silver Arrow can be traced back to a regulation of racing at the time. at the time. At that time, 750 kg maximum weight was permitted for a racing car. The racing car W 25 by Mercedes was weighed in at the 1934 Eifel Race at. 751 kg. In order to be able to start the race with a the race with a vehicle that complied with the regulations, the race director of the Mercedes-Benz team to simply sand off the white paint of the vehicle. The result was a 750 kg light racing 750 kg racing car, which sparkled silver in its aluminium bodywork - the name Mercedes Silver Arrow was born and was to write racing history.

The Silver Arrows in racing

The Silver Arrows enjoy a legendary status in racing. Through ever more innovations, Mercedes succeeded in Mercedes to maintain its technological lead over its rivals. The carmaker's lightning the carmaker's ability to adapt to racing rules, coupled with the great skill of the Mercedes drivers, helped the the Silver Arrows to victory time and again.

Mercedes-Benz track records with the Silver Arrows

The Silver Arrows and their racing drivers have numerous track records to their name. For example Hermann Lang's outstanding average speed in the Mercedes-Benz W 125 on the AVUS was not broken until decades after the record was set. In the Mercedes-Benz W 194, too, the Lang and Rieß also set a record in Le Mans history in France. With an average speed of 155.575 km/h, the duo drove the Silver Arrow to the finish. These records had a decisive the image of Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz W 25 becomes the winning car

The Mercedes-Benz W 25 becomes a winning car because it is continuously modified and equipped with ever more with ever more powerful car engines. The very first race contested, the international Nürburgring in Germany on 3 June 1934, resulted in a victory for the Silver Arrow model. Silver Arrow model. The car reached a top speed of 280 km/h. In total eleven Grand Prix victories with the first model of the Silver Arrows and Rudolf Caracciola became the European champion.

Mercedes-Benz W 125, successor to the first Silver Arrow

The Mercedes-Benz W 125 becomes the successor to the first Silver Arrow. The development of the Mercedes-Benz W 125, under the same 750 kg formula of its predecessor the W 25, started in 1936 due to an unsatisfactory satisfactory racing season. Among other things, Rudolf Uhlenhaut was one of the authoritative designers. He undertook test drives himself, but was not allowed to take part in a race. In the previous model, a de-dion rear axle was used instead of a swinging or oscillating axle. instead of a swinging or oscillating axle. The new Silberpfeil was then used for the 1937 racing season. used. In a total of 12 grand prizes, the Mercedes car won six first, nine second and six third places. third places. In addition, the professional racing driver Caracciola became European champion for the second time in the W 125 Silver Arrow. At the same time, a fully disguised special racing car was developed, which had a 5.57-litre V12 racing car engine. With this model, top speeds of 370 km/h were possible. was possible. Manfred von Brauchitsch was behind the wheel of this Silver Arrow.

Mercedes-Benz W 154, development and new challenges

There was a new challenge in the development of the Mercedes-Benz W 154: the rules and regulations were changed - from a restriction on the weight of the car to a restriction on engine capacity. 3 litres of displacement were permitted with a compressor. Without the compressor, the limit rose to 4.5 litres. Mercedes took took up this new challenge and opted for a twelve-cylinder car that was powered by two Roots blowers. with a pressure of up to 2.2 bar. At the start, this model of the Mercedes Silver Arrows had an initial output of 450 hp. The shape of the W 154 was considerably flatter and more streamlined than that of its of its predecessor. As a result, the speed figures almost reached those of the significantly more powerful W 125. more powerful W 125. The result was six victories in nine races and a hat-trick for Caracciola. Caracciola, who became European champion for the third time in a row. In 1939, the W 154 brought home another five of seven victories - in this year Hermann Lang was the most successful driver of the Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz W 165, the result of eight months of development

The rules for the Tripoli Grand Prix in 1939 were changed again: Only vehicles in the Voiturette class (engine capacity restricted to 1.5 litres) were allowed to take part in the prestigious race. take part. The Mercedes-Benz W 165 was the result of eight months of development of a completely new car. car. In April 1939, the first test drives took place at the Hockenheimring. On 7 May 1939, the 13th Tripoli Grand Tripoli Grand Prix was concluded with a commanding one-two victory. The Mercedes-Benz W 165 thus joined the ranks of the successful joined the ranks of the successful Silver Arrows. The success of the Mercedes model could not be further extended by the Second further by the Second World War. After the war, the Mercedes-Benz W 165 would have been would have been eligible for further races, but Mercedes decided against using the car. car.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, the Silver Arrow with the 2,500 cc naturally aspirated engine

The Mercedes-Benz W 196 R was developed due to Formula 1 rules and the incompatibility of the current racing car were developed. Prior to this, outstanding success had been achieved in 1952 with the 300 SL W 194 sports car. achieved. However, the sports car was based on the series-production six-cylinder engine and was therefore not eligible for the Formula 1 race. The Formula 1 rules for 1954 and 1955 allowed engines of 750 cm³ with supercharger or 2,500 cc without supercharging. This was half of the previous rule at the time.

Uhlenhaut and Nallinger, who were responsible for the development of the vehicles, chose the 2,500 cc naturally aspirated engine. One innovation of the W 196 was direct petrol injection, which had previously only been used in two-stroke engines. The Mercedes-Benz W 196 was used for the first time on 4 July 1954 at the French Grand Prix in Reims. French Grand Prix in Reims-Gueux. Here Mercedes-Benz was able to achieve a double victory. This was only the beginning, because with the W 196 Mercedes won almost everything there was to win. The model is milestone in motor sport and the Silver Arrows were often described as superior, sometimes as invincible. invincible. After that, the factory withdrew from racing. From then on Mercedes focused on series development.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, the sports car version of the Silver Arrow

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR was the sports car variant of the Silver Arrow W 196, which was developed for the newly introduced World Sports Car Championship. The 300 SLR is an open two-seater with a trellis frame, which were very similar to those of the Formula 1 car. The start for the model was the Mille Miglia on 1 May 1955. Miglia on 1 May 1955, which was won directly with a track record. The 24-hour race of Le Mans race, because the most serious accident in the history of motor sport had occurred during the race. in motorsport history. Eighty people died in this tragic event. The Grand Prix of Kristianstad Mercedes won the Kristianstad Grand Prix with a double victory and also won all the following tournaments, so that Mercedes became the world sports car champion.

The Mercedes Silver Arrow today

Since the 2010 season, the Mercedes factory team has once again been participating in the Formula 1 World Championship. Initially, only isolated race victories were recorded, but after the introduction of hybrid engines, Mercedes achieved its former dominance: a total of 51 victories in 59 races. races. The driver for Mercedes Lewis Hamilton won two drivers' titles, while Nico Rosberg became 2016 became world champion. Mercedes was able to build on the successes of yesteryear.