In what year did Mercedes-Benz introduce the first production diesel passenger car, the 260 D? The answer is 1936.
Mercedes-Benz presented the 260 D, internally designated W 138, at the 1936 Berlin Motor Show. It is widely recognized as the first diesel-powered passenger car built in series production. The model used the 2.5-litre OM 138 four-cylinder diesel engine, which produced about 45 horsepower and emphasized fuel economy rather than speed.
The story has a small date-related wrinkle: Mercedes-Benz assembled 13 pre-production cars in 1935, and production ran from 1935 to 1940. However, the public introduction of the production model occurred in 1936, making that the correct answer to this question. Early examples were especially attractive to taxi operators because diesel fuel economy reduced operating costs.
The 260 D was offered in several body styles, including sedans, landaulets and cabriolets. Nearly 2,000 were built before wartime production priorities ended the model; Mercedes-Benz resumed diesel passenger-car production with the 170 D in 1949.