The N56 was a heavy duty low-frame 3-axle truck produced from 1928 with either an 8.5 or 7-tonne payload. The wheelbase of both models was the same, with the difference in the two versions being the load platform length at 7.4 and 6.7 metres respectively. The chassis was used for both trucks and buses.

Two engines were available - the 7.8 litre petrol six-cylinder M 36 with a rating of 100hp, or the 8.6 litre diesel six-cylinder OM 5 which produced 70 horsepower. 

1930 saw Mercedes' commercial vehicle naming system changed, and the N 56 became the L 8500 for trucks and O 8500 for buses. The first letter displayed the vehicle type (L for lastwagen (truck) or O for omnibus) and the following four digits indicated the payload capacity in kilograms. At the time of the name change the power outputs from both engines were increased to 110hp for the M 36 and 85hp for the OM 5. Also in 1930 production of the 7-tonne payload variant came to an end.


In 1932 more changes were made when the 120 horsepower M 78 petrol and the equally powerful OM 79 diesel were introduced to the L 8500, although production of the model ended the next year. In 1934 however, production of the L 8500 model was reinstated and it was driven by the 12.5 litre OM 54 diesel engine which produced 150 horsepower, but manufacturing ended in 1936.

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