Mercedes-Benz C111 - the Ciento Once Prototype From 1970 to 2011 this car keeps coming back. Let's find out why.
The Old Becomes New Again
Mercedes Benz has had a number of performance and design prototypes. The 1970 C-111-ll, which first appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, was one of those prototype cars that was easy to fall in love with. The C-111-ll was equipped with a Wankel rotary-piston engine and a glass-fiber-reinforced body. The car was a show stopper.
Mercedes never put the C111-ll in production, but the company did solve some of the design issues associated with the rotary-piston principle. The Wankel rotary engine never could be an efficient fuel consuming engine due to combustion chamber issues inherent in the design. In 1976 Mercedes replaced the Wankel with a five cylinder turbocharged 190 horsepower diesel engine.
The 1979 version of the C-111-ll no longer had a diesel engine under the hood. A new gasoline 500 horsepower 4.5 litre V8 engine followed in its predecessor footsteps by reaching a speed of 251 mph. The body of this plastic skin beauty had a slim rocket-like appearance with two airfoils and massive spoilers.
The beauty and the performance of the C-111-ll prompted the San Antonio Benz tweaker GWA Tuning to breathe new life into this old formula. The recreation was appropriately named the Ciento Once, which is Spanish for one hundred eleven.
Careful Changes and Modern Updates Make the Ciento Once a Car for the 21st Century
Housed in a tubular space chassis the 408 horsepower Mercedes M120 V12 engine is a force to reckon with. The engine can be constantly admired through a glass on the rear deck. The mighty engine is married to a six speed Cima H type transaxle and a uniquely tuned exhaust.
The Ciento Once has a shorter wheelbase than the original 103 inches, but it still weighs around 1,400kg. The brakes are the same setup as the Mercedes S55. The upgraded suspension with coil-overs to adjust the height and ride make the Ciento Once a comfortable as well as fun ride.
The hand made all aluminum body has a electric operated rear adjustable wing that helps it grip the road. A front spoiler with a big intake and a rear diffuser make the Ciento Once an aerodynamic beauty.
The interior resembles the original, but has updates like carbon-fiber plaid-covered seats and instrumentation like the W120R MB. The brushed aluminum petals, illuminated door sills, and dashboard accents bring the interior together in 21st century style. The exterior is painted brilliant silver with black accents that match the interior, and the wheels are staggered GWA type A wheels; 19x9 front and 20x11 rears.