 The brand name used the first initial of the French variant of Benz's first name, "Carl".In 1909, the "Blitzen Benz" was built in Mannheim by Benz & Cie.The bird-beaked vehicle had a 21.5-liter (1312ci), engine, and on 9 November 1909 in the hands of Victor Hémery of France, the land speed racer at Brooklands, set a record of 226.91 km/h (141.94 mph), said to be "faster than any plane, train, or automobile" at the time, a record that was not exceeded for ten years by any other vehicle.