Mercedes-Benz M121 engine

Mercedes-Benz M121
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz
Production1955-1967
Layout
Configurationinline 4
Displacement
  • 1.9 L (1,897 cc)
  • 2.0 L (1,988 cc)
Cylinder bore
  • 85 mm (3.35 in)
  • 87 mm (3.43 in)
Piston stroke83.6 mm (3.29 in)
Cylinder block materialCast iron
ValvetrainSOHC 2 valves x cyl.
Compression ratio8.5:1, 9.0:1
Combustion
Fuel systemTwin parallel Solex 38PDSJ carburetors
Fuel typeGasoline
Cooling systemWater cooled
Output
Power output75–110 hp (56–82 kW; 76–112 PS)
Torque output154 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft)
Chronology
PredecessorM136
SuccessorM115

The Mercedes-Benz M121 engine was a 1.9 liter single overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine introduced by Mercedes in 1955 and used in various model lines during the 1950s and 1960s. Rated at 56 kW (76 PS; 75 hp) at 5500 rpm in its base version, it replaced the 1.8 liter M136 introduced in 1935, offering improved performance over the M136's side camshaft design. The engine's first application was in the W121 Mercedes 190SL luxury roadster in May of 1955, in a high-performance 105 hp (78 kW; 106 PS) M121 BII version.

Applications included mid-size sedans, such as the 190, the 190SL roadster, and trucks such as the Unimog and L319 models. The M121 series was in production until 1967, when the M115 engine took its place.