For sale: 1992 600 SEL W140 Mercedes
Specifications
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In this section of the guide, we outline the mechanical and performance specifications of the Volvo 242 GT. This is split into two main sections, reflecting the changeover (in most markets) from the 2.1L to the 2.3L engine, as there were several significant differences between them. Please contact us if you have any further information you think could benefit this section of the guide.
SERIES 1 VOLVO 242 GT MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine and driveline:
Early 242 GTs (and so far as we know, all US models) had the B21 series engine, being either the B21E or B21F. US exported cars were equipped with the lambda probe and catalytic converter B21F engine, and our understanding is that the US market never received the later B23 (2.3L) engine (which resulted in reduced power specifications). The specifications of the B21 engine are as follows:
- Bore and stroke: 92.0mm x 8.00mm
- Cylinders: 4
- Capacity: 2,127cc
- Claimed Power: 90kw / 120 hp @ 5,500 RPM (US cars were 101hp @ 5,200 RPM)
- Claimed Torque: 170NM @ 3,500 RPM (US cars: 111lb-ft @ 2,500 RPM).
- Compression Ratio: 9.3:1
- Aspiration: Bosch K-Jetronic electronic fuel injection
- Power to weight: 42.31
Transmission:
All cars were fitted with the M46 4-speed manual transmission, which had hydraulic overdrive. Gear ratio's are as follows:
| First | 3.71 |
| Second | 2.16 |
| Third | 1.37 |
| Fourth | 1.00 |
| Fourth overdrive | 0.80 |
| Final drive ratio (diff ratio) | 3.91 |
Performance:
- Fuel consumption: Between 8.1 and 9.6 km/litre (22.9 - 27.1 mpg)
- Standing 400m: 18.6 seconds
- 0-110km/kr: 16.2 seconds
- Top speed: 170 km/hr
Handling:
- Suspension:
- Firmer "DeCarbon" gas shock absorbers were fitted to the rear of the car. Standard oil shock absorbers were fitted to the front.
- Front: Independent McPherson Struts with 21mm anti roll bar. All springs were at least 30% stiffer than the standard DL/GL/GLE 200 series cars.
- Rear: Live axle with trailing arms with coil springs and panhard rod (the same as the DL/GL/GLE 200 series cars). volvoadventures.com and several articles suggest the series 1 GT was fitted with a 21mm anti roll bar at the rear (which later increased to 23mm for 1979). Volvo242GT.se suggests that the rear roll bar on early cars was 25mm, and that in the US market it was 18mm). If anyone can confirm these differences, please get in touch.
- 5mm thick reinforcement plates mounted to the front shock strut towers.
- Wheels and tyres: 5.5JX14 fitted with 185/70HRX14 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 tyres. No full size spare was provided (instead, a deflated space saver was applied).
- Steering: Rack and pinion (power steering as standard)
- Brakes: Front: 263mm ventilated discs. Rear: 281mm solid discs.
Dimensions and weight:
- Wheelbase: 2,640mm
- Front track: 1,400mm
- Rear track: 1,350mm
- Length: 4,900mm
- Width: 1,710mm
- Height: 1,440mm
- Ground clearance: 140mm
- Kerb weight: 1,360kg
- Fuel tank capacity: 60L
SERIES 2 VOLVO 242 GT MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Later 242 GTs (from 1979) in most markets outside of the US were fitted with the more powerful B23 engine, with the following specifications (most of which were taken from from the Driveline Magazine, 1979)..
Engine and driveline:
- Bore and stroke: 96.0 x 80.0 mm
- Cylinders: 4
- Capacity: 2,316cc
- Claimed Power: Bosch fuel injection
- Claimed Torque: 10.0:1
- Compression Ratio: 104kw @ 5,750 RPM (some sources claim 105kw)
- Aspiration: 191 NM @ 4,500 RPM
- Power to weight: 13.1kg/kw
- Specific power output: 44.9kw/litre
Performance:
- Fuel consumption: 12.9l/100km
- Standing 400m: 17 seconds
- 0-100km/kr: 11.5 seconds
- Top speed: 180km/hr
- Braking from 100km/hr: 41m
Transmission and driveline:
All cars were fitted with the M46 4-speed manual transmission, which had hydraulic overdrive. Gear ratio's are as follows:
| First | 3.71 |
| Second | 2.16 |
| Third | 1.37 |
| Fourth | 1.00 |
| Fourth overdrive | 0.80 |
| Final drive ratio | 3.73 |
Note, it is documented among enthusiasts that some of the Australian delivered 242 GTs were converted to an automatic transmission by a local volvo engineering company, but all were originally 4-speed manual cars as per the M46 specifications above.
Handling:
- Suspension:
- Gas filled high pressure shock absorbers were fitted all round
- Front: Independent McPherson Struts with 21mm anti roll bar. The front springs were 30% stiffer than the standard DL/GL/GLE 200 series cars.
- Rear: Live axle with trailing arms with coil springs and panhard rod (the same as the DL/GL/GLE 200 series cars). However, the GT was fitted with a 23mm anti roll bar in the 1979 year, but went to a 21mm bar for the 1980/81 years.
- Wheels: 5.5JX14 20 spoke light alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli 185/70HRX14 or 5 spoke Virgo light alloy wheels witted with 195/60HR15 Pirelli tyres.
- Steering: Rack and pinion (power steering as standard).
- Brakes: Front: 263mm ventilated discs. Rear: 281mm solid discs.
Dimensions and weight:
- Wheelbase: 2,640mm
- Front track: 1,400mm
- Rear track: 1,350mm
- Length: 4,900mm
- Width: 1,710mm
- Height: 1,440mm
- Ground clearance: 140mm
- Kerb weight: 1,360kg
- Fuel tank capacity: 60L
Vehicle location
Australia , Victoria , Bayswater
This ultra-rare Australian delivered W140 600 SEL V12 was advertised on carsales in December 2023, asking just $26,500. While the car has reasonable Ks on the clock (315,000), we still think that something like this (and with this colour combo) would be higher - but there's some time to go before people catch onto the collectability of this all time greatest S-class.
This is of course the SEL (being the long wheel base sedan), with the extra long rear door, and the SEL badging which was gone by 1993 (carried over from the W126 sedans). The seller at the time noted that the car had a lot of work done including its head gaskets (can't have been cheap), suspension components, engine mounts, breaks etc etc.
See the original listing here - a very nice original and early S class: top of the line..