TheMercedes-Benz MB100(Model type 631) is alight commercialcabovervan(M) made byMercedes-BenzEspaña S.A. from 1981 to 1996 at theirVitoria-Gasteizfactory in northernSpain.The third generation model was manufactured bySsangYongalongside the rebadged SsangYong version from 1995 to December 2003 in South Korea, with another rebadged variant manufactured byMaxusofSAIC Motorfrom 2009 to 2014 in China.
First generation (1981)
edit| Mercedes-Benz MB90-MB180 | |
|---|---|
 1986 Mercedes-Benz MB90 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | 1980–1986 |
| Assembly | Spain:Vitoria-Gasteiz |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle(M) |
| Body style | Van Minibus Pickup truck |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz N 1000/N 1300 |
The first generation model arrived in September 1980, and was initially available in two weight ratings: The MB100 and the heavier duty MB130.[1]Mercedes-BenzEspaña S.A. had obtained the Vitoria factory from Industrias del Motor S.A. (IMOSA) which had been making theDKW F1000 Lvan there. The F1000 L was a development of theDKW Schnellaster,but with a Mercedes-Benzdiesel engineinstead of the original DKWtwo-stroke petrol engine.This was further developed into theMercedes-Benz N1300,which then became the original MB100-series after yet another facelift. Elements ofFissore'soriginal trapezoidal design forAuto Unionwere still evident, for instance in the front door window profiles. The new design was offered as acargo van,apassenger van,and apickup truck.This model was entirely redesigned during 1986.
The model names (ranging from MB90 to MB180) reflected the payload in tens of kilograms. The MB100 (and the MB90, which arrived in 1985) were powered by the 2.0-litre OM615 diesel four-cylinder making 58 PS (43 kW), an engine built in Barcelona. The heavier MB130, 140, 150, and 180 models received the larger, 2.4-litreOM616 enginewith 72 PS (53 kW). The first MB100-series was not exported in any significant numbers.
The MB100-series was initially built by a company called MEVOSA, of which Mercedes-Benz held a 52.77 percent share as of November 1980. Spanish government industrial holding companyINIheld around forty percent, dropping to just over 25 percent in 1983.[2]With Mercedes having become the majority owner, they renamed the company "Mercedes-Benz España, S.A." in April 1981.[3]
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The MB100 still showed the roots of Fissore's 1963 design -
A variety of bodystyles were available, including this ice cream truck design
Second generation (1987)
edit| Mercedes-Benz MB100 (W631) | |
|---|---|
 Facelift model (1992–1996) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Also called | Mercedes-Benz Cityliner (Finland)[4] |
| Production | 1987–1996 |
| Assembly | Spain:Vitoria-Gasteiz(Mercedes-Benz España, S.A.) Philippines:Manila(Mercedes-Benz Philippines) Turkey:İzmir(BMC) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle(M) |
| Body style | Van Minibus Pickup truck |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.4 LOM616I4 (And also withAMGversion) 3.0 LOM617I5 (AMGversion) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,455 mm (96.7 in) (MB100) 2,680 mm (105.5 in) (MB140) |
| Length | 4,890 mm (192.5 in) (MB100) 5,340 mm (210.2 in) (MB140) |
| Width | 1,855 mm (73.0 in) |
| Height | 2,000 mm (78.7 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,710 kg (3,769.9 lb) (MB100) 1,725 kg (3,803.0 lb) (MB100D) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz Vito |
The new, very square looking MB100 (model type W631) was presented inMallorcain January 1987.[5]This was also when the Spanish-made vans were finally offered in Northern Europe, including Germany. Spanish market vehicles received different model numbers reflecting the payload in tens of kilograms, including MB100, 120, 140, and 180.
Most MB100 were powered by the 2.4 litre OM616 diesel four-cylinder making about 72 PS (53 kW), an engine also used in the Mercedes Benz 207D. This was later uprated to 75 PS (55 kW).[6]Also it has two versions byAMG— with inline-4 2.4-liter turbochargedOM616engine (95 hp) and with inline-5 3.0-liter turbochargedOM617(120-127 hp).[7]Later, a 2.9-liter inline-five diesel was added, as were petrol four-cylinder options after 1996. The AMG version was further distinguished by different headlights, grille, front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts andalcantaraseats.[8][9]
The MB100 was offered inGermanyfrom 1987 to 1996 as an extension of Daimler-Benz'scommercial motor vehiclerange.[10]In 1992 the MB100 was given a slanted radiator and an extended front end, intended among other things to enhance safety in a collision.[10]Heavier-duty versions were called the MB140 and MB180.
The MB100 was replaced by theMercedes-Benz Vitoin 1996, but remained available for export markets such as Brazil and Argentina until 1997 when theSprinterstarted to be made in Argentina.[11]In Germany, the MB100 developed a reputation for rust, slowness, and a weak chassis.[10]
BMCof Turkey assemble the MB100 for the local market. Later, they adapted the MB100's bodywork for their cabover series of Levend trucks, vans, and minibuses, although they installed it on a rear-wheel-drive chassis, using the 3-litreBD30direct injection diesel engine from Nissan.
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Spanish market Mercedes-Benz MB180 of the original design, high roof van model -
The original (1987–1992) design -
Rear view (facelift model) -
The Turkish-made BMC Levend's bodywork was derived from the MB100
Third Generation (1996)
edit| Mercedes-Benz MB 100 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SsangYong |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1995–December 2003 (South Korea) 2009–2014 (China) |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan |
| Body style | 4-doorvan 4-doorminibus |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.3 LM111petrolI4 2.9 LOM602dieselI5 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz Vito SsangYong Rodius/Stavic Maxus G10 |
In 1999,DaimlerChryslerAustralia/Pacific introduced the MB100 and the MB140 (Model type 661), a larger derivative of the MB100, to theAustralianandPacificmarkets.[12]These vans were manufactured under licence by theSsangYong Motor Company,which also made arebadgedversion called theSsangYong Istana.[citation needed]The Pacific market MB100D and MB140D both used a licensed version of the naturally aspirated 2.9L OM602 I5 motor from Mercedes mated to a 5 speed manual transmission while the MB100 and MB140 used a licensed Mercedes M111 2.3L petrol engine mated to a 5 speed as well. There were bothvanandminibusversions with the bus versions having sliding windows, rear concealedair conditioningin the ceiling and convenience lights for the comfort of passengers. In some markets, for exampleSingapore,there was also an electric step which would slide out when thesliding doorwas opened for the convenience of passengers. They were made in both right and left hand drive depending on the market it was in and depending on seat arrangement, could accommodate up to 15 people. In late 2004, Shanghai Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing Co., Ltd. took over a major stake in Ssangyong's automobiles division and started manufacturing a redesigned version of the Pacific market MB140.
Rebadged variants
editTheSsangYong Istanawas a 2, 9, 12 and 15 seaterminivanandminibus.It was a licensed rebadged version of the Mercedes-Benz MB100 'Bus' variant. It comes with most of the options of the MB100 as well.[13]The name "Istana" isMalayandIndonesianfor "palace", which is the name of the presidential residences in bothSingaporeandIndonesia.
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SsangYong Istana manufacturer's plate -
A SsangYong Istana in Cambodia 2008 -
A Mercedes-Benz MB 140 D in Bangkok -
Daewoo Istana in Chile -
A SAIC Maxus Istana -
San xing SXZ6492 in China
References
editNotes
edit- ^"September 1980: New van models from Spain".M@RS – The Digital Archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic.Mercedes-Benz AG. Archived fromthe originalon 2021-05-14.
- ^Mendizabal, González de Langarica."Mercedes-Benz España - Factoría de Vitoria"[Vitoria Plant].Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia(in Spanish). Eusko Ikaskuntza. Archived fromthe originalon 2017-12-07.
- ^"4 November 1980: Daimler-Benz realigns Spanish operations".M@RS – The Digital Archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic.Mercedes-Benz AG. Archived fromthe originalon 2021-05-14.
- ^"Mercedes-Benz Cityliner".Helsingin Sanomat(in Finnish). Helsinki. 1989-12-10. p. A12.Retrieved2021-08-10.
- ^"1955 to 1994 Vans for every purpose: Mercedes-Benz MB100".Mercedes-Benz Ireland Vans.Daimler AG. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-08-11.
- ^"Mercedes-Benz Vans: Our Achievements – Mercedes-Benz-Vans.ca".Mercedes-Benz Vans.Retrieved2021-12-25.
- ^Petrány, Máté (2018-02-16)."This Diesel Van Is the Strangest Vehicle in AMG's History".Road & Track.Retrieved2021-12-25.
- ^"It Is A Mystery And A Legend: The AMG MB 100 D".ThrottleXtreme.2018-04-13.Retrieved2024-10-20.
- ^"This Diesel Van Is the Strangest Vehicle in AMG's History".2018-02-16.
- ^abcLingner, Heinrich (2021-05-09)."Ein Transporter nicht nur für Hähnchen-Griller"[A Transporter not only for chicken grillers].Auto Motor und Sport,Youngtimer(in German). Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co.KG. Archived fromthe originalon 2021-05-12.
- ^"Mercedes-Benz Classic - Vans - 1994-2005 - 1996: The Mercedes-Benz Vito".Retrieved2010-10-14.
- ^"AutoWeb: Mercedes Unveils A New Vision In Vans".Australia: Web Publications Pty. 1999-11-26. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-11-19.Retrieved2010-10-14.
- ^Vaston-AvtoArchived2012-07-15 atarchive.today(in Russian)
Bibliography
edit- Röcke, Matthias (2008).Mercedes-Benz Transporter: Postwar to Present Day.Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag.ISBN9783868520682.
- "Mercedes-Benz MB100 Panel Van Specifications"(PDF).Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia: DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific Pty. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-07-06.Retrieved2010-10-14.
External links
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