Stepping onto the Salinas Airport tarmac, amidst the sleek private jets of Monterey Car Week, a familiar sensation washes over me. It’s more than just the classic car aroma of warm oil, aged leather, and wool upholstery. It’s beyond the sight of the Becker cassette stereo’s silver faceplate and the feel of the large, ribbed steering wheel.
It’s the distinct feeling of transcending time itself.
Nearly a decade ago, coinciding with the launch of The Drive, I had the privilege to review a V8-powered Mercedes C111 concept at Pebble Beach. It was an unforgettable experience, a journey through time, driving a concept car designed in my birth year, embodying a future that never fully materialized. Now, I’m back, piloting another version of this iconic, tawny spaceship, feeling that same exhilarating blend of past and future.
The Design and Aerodynamics of the C111
The Mercedes-Benz C111, with only a handful ever produced, was conceived as both a design study and a technological proving ground. It pioneered the sharp “wedge” styling that would become a hallmark of concept cars and supercars for decades. Its sleek, aerodynamic silhouette was meticulously sculpted to minimize wind resistance, maximizing performance and handling.
The Wankel Engine and its Promise
Beyond its striking aesthetics, the C111 served as a testbed for the revolutionary Wankel engine, a rotary combustion engine promising enhanced power, efficiency, and reduced weight. This technology emerged at a crucial time when the automotive industry was facing growing pressure to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Initially unveiled with a 275-horsepower three-rotor fuel-injected Wankel, Mercedes-Benz later developed a 350 hp four-rotor version to achieve a target top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). This four-rotor variant is the model I had the pleasure of driving.
“This car was engineered around the Wankel engine,” a Mercedes-Benz Classic Center expert explained. “Therefore, experiencing this car with its engine, especially the final four-rotor iteration, provides the genuine C111 driving experience.”
Driving the C111: A Unique Experience
Certain cars leave an indelible mark. As a car-obsessed child in 1970s Detroit, cars like the C111 were the stuff of dreams, adorning posters and magazine pages. I’ve been fortunate to drive automotive legends, from a Duesenberg SSJ to classic Mercedes and Lamborghinis. Yet, sliding into the C111’s cockpit instantly transported me back to my 2015 drive.
The view over the sculpted fenders, the distinctive perspective in the rearview mirror, the unique dogleg ZF transmission, the weighty steering, and the warm air from the ventilation system – all came rushing back.
However, the unexpected revelation was the chassis balance and handling, the seamless integration of all components, and the sheer power delivery. Although I couldn’t fully explore the upper rev ranges due to its upcoming Concours display, the power delivery was nothing short of remarkable. Its 350 horsepower rivaled that of contemporary Ferraris, but in a significantly lighter chassis.
Nine years prior, I barely shifted the V8 C111 beyond second gear, surrounded by priceless classics on the 17-Mile Drive. But here, on the open runway, the C111 truly came alive, showcasing its eagerness, smoothness, and insatiable appetite for speed. And like all Wankel engines, a considerable thirst for oil and internal component longevity.
C111 as a Testbed for Innovation
“The Wankel engine, unfortunately, couldn’t meet Mercedes-Benz’s stringent durability standards,” the technician explained. “Consequently, the engine project was discontinued.”
Concept cars embody unrealized potential. The C111 was a mobile laboratory, exploring cutting-edge technologies. Beyond its engine experiments, it pioneered polymer body panels, turbocharging, and anti-lock braking systems. It was never intended for mass production, yet customers clamored for a road-going version, even offering blank checks. Driving the C111, I contemplated what might have been had the Wankel-powered marvel become a production supercar of its time, despite its unconventional engine.
“Engine-out servicing every 15,000 to 20,000 miles was typical for Ferraris of that era,” I remarked. “For a car with such advanced technology and performance, it wouldn’t have been an insurmountable issue.”
The technician nodded, then shrugged, “Mercedes,” he stated, “is not Ferrari.”
Timeless Appeal and Legacy
I am drawn to cars that defy their era, outliers that seem to exist outside the confines of time. Cars like the Citroën DS, the Dymaxion, and even Mercedes’ own 300 SL Gullwing. I shared this with the technician as our drive concluded – the idea that Mercedes once dared to dream beyond its pragmatic approach, that it could have embraced the unconventional Wankel and created a revolutionary supercar. He nodded again, with another knowing shrug.
The Mercedes-Benz C111 remains an enduring testament to innovation and daring design. It stands as a symbol of what could have been, and perhaps, what Mercedes-Benz might dare to dream again.
