Mercedes-Benz W55 Concept
Spacious, innovative and safe, compact models of the Mercedes A and B class with their high-score feature, and found with over 2.5 million customers as a result. Only an extraordinary example was built at the factory in Rastatt, and shows the class B in a new light: a B55 with a V8 engine and rear wheel drive.
The idea came to Rastatt Plant Manager, Peter Wesp. He gave some of his staff the task of creating a car very special Class B - but leave the creativity to decide what and how. Andreas Wurz, director of technical training, they immediately accepted the challenge. It took a very careful with this great compact design, he used a tape measure and came up with the idea that not only surprised and delighted his boss and colleagues, but also for apprentices, "In fact, you can install a V8 in the engine compartment. "
Spacious, innovative and safe, compact models of the Mercedes A and B class with their high-score feature, and found with over 2.5 million customers as a result. Only an extraordinary example was built at the factory in Rastatt, and shows the class B in a new light: a B55 with a V8 engine and rear wheel drive.
The idea came to Rastatt Plant Manager, Peter Wesp. He gave some of his staff the task of creating a car very special Class B - but leave the creativity to decide what and how. Andreas Wurz, director of technical training, they immediately accepted the challenge. It took a very careful with this great compact design, he used a tape measure and came up with the idea that not only surprised and delighted his boss and colleagues, but also for apprentices, "In fact, you can install a V8 in the engine compartment. "
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| 2011 Mercedes-Benz Concept B55 |
With colleagues from Matthias Rieger-manager of the section electrical / electronics, he assembled a team of twelve second year and third year students specialize in automobile mechanics and mechatronics.
A specification was developed:
* The spatial concept of the class B remains unchanged.
* Outside, too, was there to be only small indications of the work of conversion.
* The interior has been enhanced to meet the new class of vehicle being produced.
* The result of the conversion was largely suited to everyday driving.
HR, Martin has promised financial support Spicali, so the project a viable proposition in the first place. And a "victim" (Wurz) for the conversion was also found quickly: A, B 200 CDI, which was anyway a delegate to the training workshop for learning. While students completely disassembled the car, Wurz was in search of a suitable engine and found what he seeks. And make no mistake: the 5.5-liter V8 that develops 285 kW (388 hp) and 530 Nm of torque was transplanted in Class B with a seven-speed automatic transmission and engine control unit. The latter proved to be a headache later, as he had to be only to process signals from the rear axle.
A specification was developed:
* The spatial concept of the class B remains unchanged.
* Outside, too, was there to be only small indications of the work of conversion.
* The interior has been enhanced to meet the new class of vehicle being produced.
* The result of the conversion was largely suited to everyday driving.
HR, Martin has promised financial support Spicali, so the project a viable proposition in the first place. And a "victim" (Wurz) for the conversion was also found quickly: A, B 200 CDI, which was anyway a delegate to the training workshop for learning. While students completely disassembled the car, Wurz was in search of a suitable engine and found what he seeks. And make no mistake: the 5.5-liter V8 that develops 285 kW (388 hp) and 530 Nm of torque was transplanted in Class B with a seven-speed automatic transmission and engine control unit. The latter proved to be a headache later, as he had to be only to process signals from the rear axle.
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| 2011 Mercedes-Benz Concept B55 |
Wurz: "The power unit mounted V8 engine very well, and were even able to use the original engine mounts." There were serious problems with the administration, but again, the harmony has been restored with a series of changes. The exhaust system was a clever combination of various elements of spare parts, and took the form of a double tube emerging in the center of the back. This is where the only known B55 receives its typical its murmur - once the ignition key is turned every head in the area are guaranteed to turn simultaneously in the direction of the Class B
Intensive reading parts catalogs has also solved the problem of transplant second largest, that is, the drive axle in the rear. Apparently, the rear axle of an old E-Class series of 210 W is a very good geometry. Wesp plant manager gave the green light to enter, and Wurz and his colleagues designed a rack that extensive training and welding can be integrated in the class B of the body to receive the rear again. Elegantly hidden in the sandwich floor, the axis of the E-Class is also installed in Class B, without further modification.
It breaks the team also struck gold in the parts list, this time, C32 AMG listing. Perforated, ventilated brake discs measuring 345 x 34 mm were planted in the front, drilled and ventilated disc brakes 300 x 30 mm rear. System combined with an amazing 8.5 x 18 five-spoke AMG wheels shod with 235/40 ZR 18 tires sport designer Y in 9 x 18 front and 255/35 ZR 18 tires wheels Y-back. Maximum steering angle is limited to the front axle to fit. The team used a typical target range of the tuner means of suspension, the installation of a coil-over suspension of D & W.
Intensive reading parts catalogs has also solved the problem of transplant second largest, that is, the drive axle in the rear. Apparently, the rear axle of an old E-Class series of 210 W is a very good geometry. Wesp plant manager gave the green light to enter, and Wurz and his colleagues designed a rack that extensive training and welding can be integrated in the class B of the body to receive the rear again. Elegantly hidden in the sandwich floor, the axis of the E-Class is also installed in Class B, without further modification.
It breaks the team also struck gold in the parts list, this time, C32 AMG listing. Perforated, ventilated brake discs measuring 345 x 34 mm were planted in the front, drilled and ventilated disc brakes 300 x 30 mm rear. System combined with an amazing 8.5 x 18 five-spoke AMG wheels shod with 235/40 ZR 18 tires sport designer Y in 9 x 18 front and 255/35 ZR 18 tires wheels Y-back. Maximum steering angle is limited to the front axle to fit. The team used a typical target range of the tuner means of suspension, the installation of a coil-over suspension of D & W.
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| 2011 Mercedes-Benz Concept B55 interior |
When the interior was concerned, friends, training seminar, Sindelfingen, we were able to help, offering Alcantara, B and C pillars and roof lining, at the same time, a luxury material. Seats in leather / Alcantara combination were specialists at Johnson Controls, which are in place in Rastatt. Finishing has been added to B55 in the Rastatt plant paint shop. Trendy white with dark-painted radiator grille and headlights smoked glasses, Class B, cuts the imposing figure, but provides only a discreet sign PowerPack hidden under the hood.
The project is led by the foreman Wurz is particularly proud that 1620 kg, the weight of B55 is only about 180 kg more than the original car. This means that an impressive performance figures can be expected. Wurz: ". We have not made any measurements yet, but we need to manage a sprint to 100 km / h in under six seconds"
Factory Manager Wesper are also proud of the result: "The team of students has done a fantastic job and focused on the sporting genes of the class B than anyone could have imagined." Manuela Rasche Training Manager is also satisfied: "The B55 shows that our workshop can do and at the same time it clearly shows that we not only offer young people high-quality, professional training, but also very unusual and exciting project .." Could it be that other projects of this nature are planned for the future? Rasche, "We may be surprised ..."
The project is led by the foreman Wurz is particularly proud that 1620 kg, the weight of B55 is only about 180 kg more than the original car. This means that an impressive performance figures can be expected. Wurz: ". We have not made any measurements yet, but we need to manage a sprint to 100 km / h in under six seconds"
Factory Manager Wesper are also proud of the result: "The team of students has done a fantastic job and focused on the sporting genes of the class B than anyone could have imagined." Manuela Rasche Training Manager is also satisfied: "The B55 shows that our workshop can do and at the same time it clearly shows that we not only offer young people high-quality, professional training, but also very unusual and exciting project .." Could it be that other projects of this nature are planned for the future? Rasche, "We may be surprised ..."