Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › C11 · Factory competition · 1990

Mercedes-Benz
C11

Sauber-Mercedes C11 Group C prototype, six built according to the lead.

Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

Mercedes-Benz C11 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Mercedes-Benz C11 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
1990
Engine
Mid, longitudinally mounted, 90 degree V8 · 4,973 cc / 5.0 LFactory: 4,973 cc
Power
545 kW / 741 PSFactory: 545 kW
Top speed
400 km/hFactory: 400 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Sauber-Mercedes C11 was a Group C sports prototype with a twin-turbocharged five-litre Mercedes V8 and a carbon monocoque. A contemporary enthusiast source calls it one of the most extreme Group C cars ever built, with output limited by regulation restrictors.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

Peter Sauber used Mercedes-Benz's wind tunnel for a test and then signed an exclusive engine deal with the company. The engine was a street V8 that engine specialist Heini Mader turned into a Group C unit by adding two KKK turbochargers.

The specification page gives a 1990 production year and six cars built. The same page lists the engine as the M119 HL.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard C11.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM119 HL1 Independently researched
LayoutMid, longitudinally mounted, 90 degree V81 Independently researched
Displacement 4,973 cc / 5.0 LFactory: 4,973 cc1 Independently researched
Bore 96.5 mmFactory: 96.5 mm1 Independently researched
Stroke 85 mmFactory: 85 mm1 Independently researched
Compression ratio8.5:11 Independently researched
Valvetrain4 valves per cylinder, DOHC1 Independently researched
Fuel systemBosch Motronic MP 1.8 fuel injection1 Independently researched
InductionTwin KKK turbochargers1 Independently researched
Power 545 kW / 741 PSFactory: 545 kW1 Independently researchedSource also gives 730 bhp. Power at 7,000 rpm.
Power atNot yet verified
Torque 820 NmFactory: 820 Nm1 Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox5-speed manual, rear wheel drive1 Independently researched
Gears51 Independently researched
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque1 Independently researched
Front suspensionDouble wishbones, push-rod operated coil springs over shock absorbers, torsion bar stabilizer1 Independently researchedSource gives one entry for front and rear.
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesInternally ventilated discs1 Independently researched
SteeringRack-and-pinion1 Independently researched
Body constructionCarbon-fibre composite and Kevlar1 Independently researched
Wheelbase 2,770 mmFactory: 2,770 mm1 Independently researched
Length 4,800 mmFactory: 4,800 mm1 Independently researched
Width 2,000 mmFactory: 2,000 mm1 Independently researched
Height 1,030 mmFactory: 1,030 mm1 Independently researched
Front track 1,620 mmFactory: 1,620 mm1 Independently researched
Rear track 1,560 mmFactory: 1,560 mm1 Independently researched
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weight 905 kgFactory: 905 kg1 Independently researchedSource states 'Weight' without saying dry or kerb.

Performance

Maximum speed 400 km/hFactory: 400 km/h1 Independently researched
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    1990 Sauber Mercedes C11 Specifications Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com · 2014-06-02
    • Mercedes-Benz M119 HL 90&#186 V8 (Specifications)
    • Mid, longitudinally mounted (Specifications)
    • 4,973 cc / 303.5 cu in (Specifications)
    • 96.5 mm (3.8 in) / 85.0 mm (3.3 in) (Specifications)
    • Compression | 8.5:1 (Specifications)
    • 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC (Specifications)
    • Bosch Motronic MP 1.8 Fuel Injection (Specifications)
    • Twin KKK Turbos (Specifications)
    • 730 bhp / 545 kW @ 7,000 rpm (Specifications)
    • 820 Nm / 605 ft lbs @ 3,500 rpm (Specifications)
    • 5 speed Manual (Specifications)
    • Rear wheel drive (Specifications)
    • carbon fibre monocoque (Specifications)
    • double wishbones, push-rod operated coil springs over shock absorbers, torsion bar stabilizer (Specifications)
    • internally ventilated discs (Specifications)
    • rack-and-pinion (Specifications)
    • carbon-fibre composite and Kevlar (Specifications)
    • 2,770 mm (109.1 in) / 1,620 mm (63.8 in) / 1,560 mm (61.4 in) (Specifications)
    • 4,800 mm (189 in) / 2,000 mm (78.7 in) / 1,030 mm (40.6 in) (Specifications)
    • 905 kilo / 1,995 lbs (Specifications)
    • 400 km/h (249 mph) (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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