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1956 Mercedes-Benz "Ponton" Coupe (W180/W128) Photos, engines & full specs

Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Premium Coupe
Production years: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960

MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) 1956-1960 10 Photos
MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) (1956-1960)

Three months after the introduction of the launch of the W180 Convertible, Mercedes-Benz launched a fixed-roof version of it named Coupe.

Since it shared most of its parts with its sibling, the 220 S Coupe was based on the same shortened chassis as the 220 A Sedan version. Thus, the German automaker expanded its lineup and provided customers with an elegant vehicle built not just for long travels but also as a boulevard cruiser. It was not built for speed, and that was easy to notice just by taking a look at its specs. But its owners didn't seem to care too much about that.

Since the Pontoon was designed with a crumple zone at the front, the Coupe carried over all the elements of its open-top sibling. That included the one-piece chromed bumper at the front, which was a radical design for those times. Another safety measure was the introduction of the turn signals placed on top of the fenders, which made them more visible to fellow drivers. Like the rest of the vehicles from those times, it sported round headlights surrounded by chromed rims. From its profile, the curved lines of the bodywork continued on the greenhouse, which didn't feature side windows behind the doors. At the back, the integrated taillights in the rear quarter-panels, the wide and curved trunk lid, and the single-piece bumper were just a few details that showed the design change in the Mercedes-Benz philosophy.

Inside, the automaker installed a pair of bucket seats at the front and a bench for two in the back. Still, there was hardly any legroom left for those rear-seated passengers. But the automaker knew this and offered the option to fold down the rear bench, thus transforming it into a storage area.

Under the hood, there was an inline-six engine with two downdraught carburetors that produced 106 hp in 1957. A year later, a single-point injection (the injector was in the manifold) was available and increased the output to 115 hp.

MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128) 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960
  2 gasoline engines
  • 220 S
  • 220 SE

MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128)
220 S

ENGINE SPECS - 220 S
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2195 cm3
Power:78 KW @ 5200 RPM
106 HP @ 5200 RPM
105 BHP @ 5200 RPM
Torque:127 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
172 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:99 mph (159 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):17 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:Manual, 4 Speed
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Drums
Rear:Ventilated Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:6.70-13
DIMENSIONS
Length:185 in (4699 mm)
Width:70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height:60.2 in (1529 mm)
Front/rear Track:56.3/57.9 in (1,430/1,471 mm)
Wheelbase:106.3 in (2700 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2976 lbs (1350 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3946 lbs (1790 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:254 g/km

MERCEDES BENZ "Ponton" Coupe (W180/128)
220 SE

ENGINE SPECS - 220 SE
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2195 cm3
Power:88 KW @ 4800 RPM
120 HP @ 4800 RPM
118 BHP @ 4800 RPM
Torque:142 lb-ft @ 3900 RPM
192 Nm @ 3900 RPM
Fuel System:Mechanical Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:99 mph (159 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):15 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:Manual, 4 Speed
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Drums
Rear:Ventilated Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:6.70-13
DIMENSIONS
Length:185 in (4699 mm)
Width:70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height:60.2 in (1529 mm)
Front/rear Track:56.3/57.9 in (1,430/1,471 mm)
Wheelbase:106.3 in (2700 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3042 lbs (1380 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3990 lbs (1810 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:254 g/km
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