The Mercedes-Benz C11 Group-C Prototype is Beautifully Engineered
The Mercedes-Benz C11 was a Group C prototype race car introduced in 1990 for the World Sportscar Championship. Built by Sauber as a successor to the Sauber C9, the C11 used the same Mercedes-Benz M119 5.0L Turbocharged V8 from the C9. It was the first time that Mercedes-Benz chose to put their name on the car, instead of simply using Sauber. The aluminium monocoque in the previous C9 was replaced by a more modern and rigid carbon fibre one. The C10 name was skipped because it was difficult to pronounce in German, so the new car was dubbed C11.
The C11 was the car that brought us Michael Schumacher. It’s predecessor, the C9, hit 248 mph (400 km/h) on the Mulsanne straight in 1989. That record has only been broken by another Group C prototype. Group C racing was and still is the pinnacle of ludicrous speed. Not even the almighty F1 car can touch the power and acceleration that Group C cars had.
Model: C11
Engine Location: Mid
Drive Type: Rear Wheel
Weight: 1995 lb | 904.9 kg
Engine Configuration: V
Cylinders: 8
Aspiration/Induction: Twin-turbocharged
Displacement: 4973.00 cc | 303.5 cu in. | 5 L.
Horsepower: 950.00 hp (699.2 kW)
HP to Weight Ratio: 2.1 lb (0.95 kg) / hp
HP / Liter: 190.0 bhp / Liter
Gears: 5 speed
Transmission: Manual
Top Speed: 402 km/h (250 mph)
Bringing this one back. It’s my favorite post and I made it almost a year ago — I can’t let it sit at the beginning of this blog.
(via function-over-form)
