After the end of World War II, there were talks of revival of motorsports. The Mercedes management at first, was not keen to participate and as such a Board decision was also made. But a sudden change in management, prompted Rudolf Uhlenhaut (who never owned a car and yet was responsible for creating the best sports car in Mercedes history) to start his work immediately, by fouth quarter of 1952. That development was this model - Mercedes Benz 300 SL - Transaxle Prototype. 

This new car had a special engine that was developed by Hans Scherenberg and Karl-Heinz Göschel with a power output of 215 hp. Uhlenhaut employed all his theories into the experimental vehicle that was based on a W194 chassis. This car had an enhanced rear axle through a single-joint swing axle having low pivot point and a transmission flange-mounted into the differential in trans-axle configuration. This new design resulted in excellent road handling characteristics. 

Though this car, also known as W194/11 was never used for racing, it helped Mercedes engineers to implement, improve and add it's features into the 300 SL. 

This experimental vehicle can be viewed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.