Mercedes-Benz engine legend celebrates 80th birthday
On November 30th 2007, Kurt Oblander, the legendary Mercedes-Benz engineer will celebrate his 80th birthday.
Mr Oblander was an engine developer at Mercedes-Benz from 1955 through to 1991 and was a key figure in the development of emission control, particularly the catalytic converter.
The M 100 eight-cylinder unit of the Mercedes-Benz 600 is one of Mr Oblander’s signature designs while the six-litre V 12 engine that made its mark in the SE/600 SEL S-Class models was his last triumph in 1991.
Perhaps his biggest achievement was his part in the development of the exhaust catalytic converter of which Mercedes-Benz was the first motor manufacturer to offer as standard from 1986.
On retiring from Daimler-Benz AG in 1991, after 36 years of work, he described his 12 cylinder engine in a passenger car, saying: "It is nothing special to build a steam-hammer engine with lots of power and torque. In a Mercedes-Benz, however, I want to have torque and power combined with high levels of comfort and refinement."
His love for the environment was continued in his capacity as a consultant of Daimler-Benz AG on environmental protection and nature conservation issues after he retired.
What are these icons ?
