M149

Daimler-Benz introduced the 170 VS at the February 1938 winter trials: a two-seat off-road sports car, much lighter than the 170 VR it replaced, with bodywork in magnesium alloy and aluminum. Its engine was what set it apart from the ordinary 170 V. Where the standard 1.7-liter four was long in the stroke, the sports unit measured 80 × 95 mm — wider bore, shorter stroke — for 50 PS, or 60 PS with twin carburetors. The event itself was run by the Reich government as motorsport, and used to establish quietly how well series cars would cope with military duty.

Thirty of these cars were entered, divided between two specifications. The 170 SV had reinforced suspension and off-road tires; the 200 V ran a standard chassis and road tires. Both used the engine rebored to 2,007 cc, 53 PS on a single carburetor and 64 PS on two, for around 120 km/h. A handful of 200 V chassis were then given far prettier coachwork than their class warranted: 27 Sport Roadsters were built in 1938 and four more in 1939, small cars styled with something of the 540 K about them.