Mercedes-Benz W196
Fuel injection, desmodromic valves and magnesium-alloy bodywork made this Mercedes-Benz the car to beat in 1954 and 1955.
- Power
- 257 bhp
- Top speed
- 180 mph
- Est. value
- $26m
About the Mercedes-Benz W196
Rudolf Uhlenhaut's W196 debuted at the 1954 French Grand Prix at Reims, where Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling finished first and second in the enclosed 'Type Monza' streamliner. Its 2,496 cc straight-eight used desmodromic valves and direct fuel injection adapted from the DB 601 aero engine, and sat behind the front axle in a welded aluminium tube spaceframe clothed in Elektron magnesium-alloy bodywork. Fangio and Stirling Moss won nine of the 12 races it entered and both Drivers' Championships it contested. Both drivers found it tricky, with a tendency to snap oversteer, though Fangio said that you were almost sure to finish. Mercedes-Benz withdrew from racing at the end of 1955.
Mercedes-Benz W196 specs
The Mercedes-Benz W196 produces 257 bhp (192 kW) and 247 Nm (182 lb-ft) of torque. It has a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Model | W196 |
| Years | 1954–1955 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | Germany |
| Engine | 2.5L naturally aspirated inline-8 (Mercedes-Benz M196) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,497 cc (2.5 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 257 bhp (192 kW) at 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 247 Nm (182 lb-ft) |
| Top speed | 180 mph (290 km/h) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual transaxle |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 700 kg (1,543 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 367 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Mercedes-Benz W196 worth?
A typical Mercedes-Benz W196 is estimated to be worth $26,200,000 (about £19,540,000).
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Mercedes-Benz W196 rarity in CarSpot
The Mercedes-Benz W196 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Mercedes-Benz W196 fun facts
- Its three wins in streamlined 'Type Monza' form, all for Juan Manuel Fangio, remain the only Formula One races won by a closed-wheel car.
- In 2013 Bonhams sold Fangio's 1954 German and Swiss Grand Prix-winning W196 for a then world-record £19.7 million with premium; it is the only one in private hands.
- Leaves clogged its low-mounted air intake at the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix, costing it the race and prompting a move of the intake to the top of the bonnet.
