‘The Mercedes C111-III proved that diesel engines weren’t just for lorries and tractors—they could also be for lunatics.’
The Mercedes-Benz C111 was the hypercar that never was.
A gullwing-doored experiment that smashed speed records and tested radical engines—rotary, turbo-diesel, even a twin-turbo V8—but never saw production.
Despite blank cheques from eager buyers, Mercedes kept it locked away.
Why? Because it wasn’t built to sell—it was built to experiment.
Here’s the full story of this mysterious, record-breaking icon.
The Legend of the Mercedes-Benz C111
A Playground for Innovation (1969-1979)
Unveiled at Frankfurt in 1969, the fibreglass-bodied, gullwing-doored C111 was a testbed for radical tech.
It looked futuristic, designed by Bruno Sacco, and its purpose was purely experimental.
The Rotary Rocket (1969-1970)
Early models had Wankel rotary engines, with the 4-rotor version producing 350bhp.
186 mph top speed, 0-62 in 4.9 secs—but unreliable, thirsty, and soon abandoned.
Diesel Meets Speed (1978)
C111-III used a 3.0-litre turbo diesel, proving efficiency could be fast.
Set nine world records, averaging 200 mph over 12 hours at Nardò.
The 500bhp V8 Monster (1979)
C111-IV packed a 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8, reaching 251 mph at Nardò.
A Ferrari-slayer, yet Mercedes never sold a single one.
The Hypercar That Never Was
Wealthy buyers begged for one, but Mercedes refused.
Fibreglass safety concerns meant it remained an experimental legend.
Legacy: A glimpse into the future that influenced AMG hypercars and turbo tech today.
Would it have been the McLaren F1 of its time? We’ll never know.
‘The rotary engine revved to the moon, sounded like an angry wasp, and drank fuel like an oil baron at happy hour.’
