The Mercedes-Benz W15 is an automobile produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1931 to 1936. Regarded today as a mid-size family car, it was given the chassis designation W15, and sold as the Typ 170 in four-door "Limousine" (sedan/saloon) and Cabriolet forms.
By 1934 differently configured cabriolets, a sports roadster, and a Kübelwagen (military light utility vehicle) were added to what had become for Mercedes an unusually a wide model range.
The Typ 170 made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 1931, where it was seen as the most important new model introduced that year. It was also the most significant creation of Hans Nibel, the manufacturer's high-profile Technical Director who had taken over the position from Ferdinand Porsche at the start of 1929.[1] Though the Typ 170 was discontinued in 1936 with the introduction of its successor W136 170, a few sales continued through the first few months of 1937.
A smaller Mercedes-Benz
With the economy still reeling from the successive after shocks that followed the Wall Street crash, Hans Nibel, the manufacturer's Technical Director, conceived of the 170 as a compact light-weight car.