Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen
| Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen | |
|---|---|
The W125 Rekordwagen on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Experimental, high-speed automobile |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes Benz |
| Production | 1937 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | MD 25 DAB/3 60 Degree V12 |
The Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen was an experimental, high-speed automobile produced in the late 1930s. The streamlined car was derived from the 1937 open-wheel race car Mercedes-Benz W125 Formel-Rennwagen, of which also a streamlined version was raced at the non-championship Avusrennen in Berlin.
Driven by Rudolf Caracciola and powered by a 563 kW (765 PS; 755 hp) V12, the car set a record of 432.7 km/h (268.9 mph) over the flying kilometre on 28 January 1938. This remained the highest speed officially timed on a public road for almost 80 years.