Mercedes-Benz W 25 D

The Mercedes-Benz W 25 D, also called the Type 175, was a rear-engined concept car that Daimler-Benz made in 1931 and 1932. Streamlined shapes at the start of the 1930s encouraged designers to put the engine behind the rear axle, which freed space at the front and removed the propeller shaft, and Tatra under Hans Ledwinka was working along the same lines. Hans Nibel was given the task of developing a small rear-engined car in 1930. The front resembled the later Volkswagen Beetle and the oval rear window was divided by a fin on the engine cover. The letter D marks the three-cylinder OM 134 diesel engine of 22 kilowatts, which was dropped because it was too noisy. Twelve test cars were built.