Sunday 29 January 2012

Remembering the world automobile day - Jan 29.

Today before 126 years back the world's first patented automobile from Benz rolled out and was regarded as the world's first automobile. Last year 2011 the 125th year of the first automobile was commemorated as the world automobile day. The first automobile was called as Benz motorwagen having a patent #37435. January 29, 1886 became the starting point of the automobile evolution as many new innovations were made successfully on the following years.
















                                                         The first patented automobile- Benz motorwagen.


Technical data for the Benz Patent Motor Car No. I model, 1886
  • Engine:
    Water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with horizontal flywheel,
    mounted at the rear
    Bore x stroke: 90 x 150 millimetres
    Displacement: 954 cm³
    Output: 0.55 kW at 400/min
    Fuel consumption: approx. 10 litres per 100 kilometres
     
  • Engine details:
    Fuel feed via an intake slide valve controlled via an eccentric rod; overhead exhaust poppet valve operated via a cam disc, rocker arm and pushrod; mixture preparation via Benz surface carburettor; evaporation cooling (thermosyphon principle); drip-feed lubrication system with grease cup; high-voltage electric ignition; started by turning flywheel
     
  • Chassis:
    Tubular steel frame; front wheel suspension on unsprung steering fork; real wheel suspension on rigid axle with fully-elliptic springs; toothed rack steering, centrally positioned steering lever; no footbrake, hand brake acting on countershaft belt disc; three wire spoke wheels, diameter front 730 mm, rear 1125 mm, all with solid rubber tyres
     
  • Power transmission:
    1 flat belt from engine to countershaft with idler and fixed drive discs and integrated differential, one chain from the countershaft to each of the two rear wheels
     
  • Transmission/gearshift/performance:
    1 speed, engaged by shifting the drive belt from the idler disc to the fixed drive disc
    Maximum speed: 16 km/h
     
  • Dimensions and weight:
    Wheelbase: 1450 mm
    Track width: 1190 mm
    Length: 2700 mm
    Width: 1400 mm
    Height: 1450 mm
    Kerb weight: 265 kg

The first car was very simple as you can see the technical specifications were very inferior to the current automobile technologies. Yet this simple car is an important milestone in the field of automobiles. Today the technologies are far more developing and compromising in every aspect. From 16 km/hr now we are reaching speeds more than 300 km/hr marks shows our evolution and development in the automotive industry. Newer technologies and advanced safety features makes commuting more safer, comfortable and faster way. I hope the chase still continues forever in the upcoming years.






Karl Benz with his patented motor car.






Ad for the Benz Motorwagen.