Mercedes-Benz W15

The Mercedes-Benz W15 is an automobile that Mercedes-Benz produced from 1931 to 1936, sold as the Typ 170 in four-door saloon and cabriolet forms and now regarded as a mid-size family car. It made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 1931 and was the most significant creation of Technical Director Hans Nibel, a conscious attempt to broaden the range down market after the company had become known for large expensive cars. It was the first Mercedes-Benz with all-round independent suspension, using two transverse leaf springs at the front and two half swing-axles at the back, a layout later spread across the whole range. Its six-cylinder 1,692 cc engine gave 23.5 kW. A sports roadster and military light utility versions were added by 1934, and the W136 170 succeeded it in 1936.