The Mercedes-Benz W128 Coupe 220 SE, produced between July 1958 and August 1959, represents a refined iteration of the “Ponton” series, a pivotal design era for the German automaker. This two-door coupe, positioned as a luxury vehicle, offered a more sporting and elegant alternative to the four-door sedan within the 220 SE range. While not a high-volume seller compared to its saloon counterpart, the W128 Coupe is highly regarded by collectors for its distinctive styling and sophisticated engineering, embodying the post-war German economic recovery and a growing desire for personal mobility. The “Hydrak” designation refers to the optional four-speed manual transmission with hydraulic clutch, a feature aimed at providing smoother gear changes.
Mercedes-Benz W128 Coupe 220 SE: A Detailed Overview
The W128 series marked a significant departure from the pre-war Mercedes-Benz aesthetic, embracing a more streamlined and modern “pontoon” shape – hence the nickname. The coupe variant further accentuated this modernity with its lower roofline and more graceful proportions. The 220 SE, specifically, represented an upgrade over earlier Ponton models, featuring fuel injection which improved performance and refinement. The car was primarily sold in Europe, and while not officially imported in large numbers to the United States at the time, it represents a significant piece of Mercedes-Benz history and a precursor to the company’s future success in the luxury coupe market.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the 220 SE Coupe is the M127 I inline-six cylinder engine, displacing 2.2 liters (2195 cm3 or 133.95 cu. in.). This engine, equipped with multi-port manifold fuel injection, produced 115 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 186 Nm (137.19 lb.-ft.) of torque at 3800 rpm. While these figures may seem modest by modern standards, they were competitive for a luxury car of its era. The engine’s power-to-liter ratio stood at 52.4 hp/l. The engine is longitudinally mounted at the front of the vehicle, driving the rear wheels. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) took approximately 15 seconds, and 0 to 60 mph was achieved in around 14.3 seconds. The top speed was rated at 160 km/h (99.42 mph). The weight-to-power ratio was 12.2 kg/Hp, and the weight-to-torque ratio was 7.5 kg/Nm. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.9 l/100 km (21.6 US mpg, 25.9 UK mpg, 9.2 km/l).
Design & Features
The W128 Coupe’s body style is a classic example of late 1950s automotive design. Its two-door coupe configuration, combined with a relatively long wheelbase (2700 mm or 106.3 in.) and a spacious interior, offered a comfortable and stylish grand touring experience. The car seated five passengers, although rear seat space was somewhat limited due to the sloping roofline. Stylistically, the car featured integrated headlights, minimal chrome trim, and a generally clean and uncluttered appearance. Safety features, while rudimentary by today’s standards, included robust construction and all-around visibility. The optional Hydrak transmission provided a smoother driving experience, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. The fuel tank capacity was 62 liters (16.38 US gal, 13.64 UK gal). The car’s dimensions were 4700 mm (185.04 in.) in length, 1790 mm (70.47 in.) in width, and 1530 mm (60.24 in.) in height.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | Ponton |
| Generation | W128 Coupe |
| Type (Engine) | 220 SE (115 Hp) Hydrak |
| Start of production | July, 1958 |
| End of production | August, 1959 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Coupe |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 10.9 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (US mpg) | 21.6 US mpg |
| Fuel consumption (UK mpg) | 25.9 UK mpg |
| Fuel consumption (km/l) | 9.2 km/l |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 15 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 15 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 14.3 sec |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h |
| Maximum speed (mph) | 99.42 mph |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 12.2 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 7.5 kg/Nm |
| Power | 115 Hp @ 4800 rpm |
| Power per litre | 52.4 Hp/l |
| Torque | 186 Nm @ 3800 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 137.19 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm |
| Engine layout | Front, Longitudinal |
| Engine Model/Code | M 127 I / 127.980 |
| Engine displacement | 2195 cm3 |
| Engine displacement (cu. in.) | 133.95 cu. in. |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 80 mm |
| Cylinder Bore (in.) | 3.15 in. |
| Piston Stroke | 72.8 mm |
| Piston Stroke (in.) | 2.87 in. |
| Compression ratio | 8.7:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 2 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | SOHC |
| Kerb Weight | 1400 kg |
| Kerb Weight (lbs.) | 3086.47 lbs. |
| Max. weight | 1830 kg |
| Max. weight (lbs.) | 4034.46 lbs. |
| Max load | 430 kg |
| Max load (lbs.) | 947.99 lbs. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 62 l |
| Fuel tank capacity (US gal) | 16.38 US gal |
| Fuel tank capacity (UK gal) | 13.64 UK gal |
| Length | 4700 mm |
| Length (in.) | 185.04 in. |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Width (in.) | 70.47 in. |
| Height | 1530 mm |
| Height (in.) | 60.24 in. |
| Wheelbase | 2700 mm |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 106.3 in. |
| Front track | 1430 mm |
| Front track (in.) | 56.3 in. |
| Rear track | 1470 mm |
| Rear track (in.) | 57.87 in. |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Rear wheel drive |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Type of gearbox | manual transmission Hydrak |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone, Transverse stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Trailing arm |
| Front brakes | Drum |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Steering type | Cone worm with recirculation balls |
