Mercedes-Benz
SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht)

Why it matters

The SSKL ("Super Sport Kurz Leicht") was the final and fastest development of the Mercedes-Benz W 06 supercharged sports-car series, a purpose-built works racing car for 1931. Only four were built; they gave Rudolf Caracciola the 1931 Mille Miglia and helped him to the European hillclimb title.

How rare is it?

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

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Mercedes-Benz SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz SSKL)
  Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz SSKL)
  Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz SSKL)
  Photo: Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0
• Mercedes-Benz SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz SSKL)
  Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The archive says the SSKL was conceived under Daimler-Benz development chief Hans Nibel late in 1930 to counter lighter Alfa Romeo and Bugatti racers. Drilling lightening holes in the chassis and body substructure and thinning the frame saved 125 kg, bringing the ready-to-drive weight to 1352 kg. Engine designer Albert Heess raised output to 240 hp without and 300 hp with the supercharger, up from 180 hp and 250 hp in the SSK.

The four cars were entered in the order books as "SSK, 1931 Model"; the name SSKL came from the media a year later. After the Mille Miglia win in April 1931, the car won the Eifel race and the German Grand Prix, and Caracciola, Manfred von Brauchitsch and Hans Stuck dominated hillclimbs in 1932 and 1933.

In 1932 Brauchitsch had an SSKL fitted with a streamlined aluminium body designed by Reinhard von Koenig-Fachsenfeld; the archive says it cut drag by 25% and added about 20 km/h, and it won the AVUS race at an average of 194.4 km/h.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

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

Identification guide

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

The SSKL is recognisable by its lightening holes in frame, cross-members and detachable body parts, by a thinner-walled U-section frame with extra reinforcing plates around the engine and rear spring mounts, and by a supercharger that runs continuously unless disengaged by a lever below the steering wheel. The factory data lists type designation W 06 RS, engine M 06 RS, a 2950 mm wheelbase, 30 x 5.00 high-pressure tyres and a 1250 mm height. Because the cars were catalogued as "SSK, 1931 Model", the SSKL name alone is not proof of a genuine car.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Mercedes-Benz SSKL, 1931 (Classic M@RS, motorsport model text) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)

   • the total of four vehicles built
   • 300 hp/221 kW at 3400 rpm with compressor

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Mercedes-Benz Classic public archive: Mercedes-Benz 27/240/300 hp Type SSKL, 1930 - 1934 Level A

   • 4 SSKL vehicles built (designated 'SSK, 1931 Model' in the Daimler-Benz order books)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   SSKL 27/240/300 hp / W 06 RS, 1931 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)

   • Engine type : M 06 RS (Technical data)
   • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Technical data)
   • Total displacement : 7065 cc (tax classification: 7020 cc) (Technical data)
   • Bore x Stroke : 100 x 150 mm (Technical data)
   • Compression ratio : 7.0 (Technical data)
   • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / vertical, overhead (Technical data)
   • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft (Technical data)
   • Fuel system : 2 Mercedes-Benz updraught annular-float carburettors (Technical data)
   • carburettor engine with engageable Roots supercharger (Technical data)
   • Rated output : 240 hp, with supercharger 300 hp at 3400 rpm
   • with supercharger 300 hp at 3400 rpm
   • Rated torque : 70.2 mkg at 2000 rpm (Technical data)
   • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Technical data)
   • Gear ratios : diverse (Technical data)
   • Final drive ratio : diverse (Technical data)
   • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Technical data)
   • Frame design : U-section pressed-steel frame (Technical data)
   • Front-wheel suspension : rigid axle (Technical data)
   • Rear-wheel suspension : rigid axle (Technical data)
   • Brake system (foot brake) : mechanical, acting on front- and rear wheels (Technical data)
   • Steering : worm-and-nut steering, left or right-hand (Technical data)
   • Wheelbase : 2950 mm (Technical data)
   • Length : 4250 mm (Technical data)
   • Width : 1700 mm (Technical data)
   • Height : 1250 mm (Technical data)
   • Front / rear track : 1425 / 1425 mm (Technical data)
   • Kerb weight : 1500 kg (Technical data)
   • Maximum speed : 235 km/h (Technical data)
   • Fuel consumption : 27 - 32 l (Technical data)

   Accessed 2026-11-12