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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC - Nobel Prize for the feasible

Name: Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC 1993
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on October 5, 2023

Text:

Bruno von Rotz, translated by DeepL

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Mercedes-Benz AG

Archiv Daimler AG

Daniel Reinhard

Mercedes-Benz AG

Archiv Daimler AG

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - according to AR, 6.3 seconds were enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - "the headlight cover lenses were chosen to be larger for stylistic reasons", wrote AR at the time

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - the top speed is limited to 250 km/h

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - equipped with a very comfortable chassis

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - relatively little lateral inclination in bends

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - 189.5 cm wide and 143 cm high

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - looks more manageable from the driver's perspective than it appears to be due to its size and weight

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - the exhaust pipes are discreetly concealed under the bumper

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - ... but 2.3 tons cannot be completely denied

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - hardly any wind and engine noise in the interior

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - more powerful than you would think at first glance

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - "The continuous longitudinal beading lends the flank a welcome lightness", noted the Automobil Revue in 1993

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - with lowered side windows, the coupé almost becomes a convertible

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - the headlights in particular caused a stir among observers

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - independent design for the S-Class Coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - relatively bulky rear end

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - comparatively small steering wheel in the 2.3-ton coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - the interior largely corresponds to the S-Class saloon

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - a smooth start

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - many buttons on this largely fully equipped model

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - four-speed automatic with typical Mercedes backdrop

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - electrically adjustable seats and three storage options

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Headrests also in the rear, electrically folding and unfolding

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Loudspeaker in the door panels

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Interior lighting

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Sliding glass roof

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - relatively bright interior thanks to generously proportioned windows

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - the rear windows cannot be lowered completely

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Seatbelt remover at work

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - 394 hp from the V12 at 5200 rpm

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - View of the 5987 cm3 V12 cylinder

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - impressive engine with corresponding space requirements

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Nameplate

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - clearly labeled filler neck for the windshield washer fluid

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - all neatly color-coded

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Notes on the air conditioning system

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Access to the headlights ...

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - ... through a service hatch

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - the front is reminiscent of the R129

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - recessed windshield wipers

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Air vents

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - 16-inch wheels

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - solidly built

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - solid door handles

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - aerodynamic refinements in the frameless side windows

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - V12 as a status symbol

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - only the early models were labeled "SEC"

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Remote control via infrared sensor

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Help with parking, extending dipsticks

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1993) - Dipsticks from the driver's perspective

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Mercedes Benz 500 SEC (1982) - Bruno Sacco created one of his masterpieces with the coupé of the W 126 series

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Mercedes Benz 500 SEC (1981) - Coupé of the W 126 series

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Design discussions

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - design drawing from 1987, still relatively far removed from the production version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - early design drawing from 1985 with stepped rear design

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - design drawing with substantial deviations from the later production model and unrealistic tire cross-section

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Design drawing from 1986

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - design variant from 1987 with huge rear window

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - design drawing from 1987 with visible interior

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - near-series design drawing from 1987

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - first sketches in the mid-eighties

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - design drawing already close to series production

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - scale clay models are created from the sketches

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Design discussion with Prof. Peter Pfeiffer (second from left)

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - model with still clear edge below the C-pillar

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - model with the familiar Mercedes Gulli rims

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - near-production model

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Design discussion on the close-to-production 1-to-1 mock-up

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - close-to-production 1-to-1 visualization

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SE (1991) - Sedan in the wind tunnel, significant improvement in drag coefficient compared to its predecessor

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Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL (1991) - V140 long-wheelbase version of the new S-Class

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL (1991) - the four-door model has a significantly different front design to the Coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL (1991) - pure luxury

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL (1991) - Sedan of the V140 series with long wheelbase

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - 8-hole forged alloy wheels at extra cost

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Coupé character without continuous B-pillar

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - then called S 600 from June 1993

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - headlight shower and sunroof were also standard equipment

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - the front section is characterized by the SL radiator grille

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - the most powerful version with 394 hp

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - integrated rear lights

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - gladly presented on the golf course

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - in the color "brilliant silver"

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - painted in "Brilliant Silver Métallic"

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - with velour trim, leather available at no extra charge

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - through the bend with low side inclination

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - with open side windows

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - and a 500 SEC in red

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - doesn't look so wide due to its height of over 1.4 meters

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Mercedes-Benz S 600 (1994) - largely unchanged design, but new name from 1993

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - front section with SL radiator grille, "brilliant silver" color

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - luxury for four

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - all electrically adjustable, incl. seat cushion depth and lumbar support

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - the headrests are (electrically) height-adjustable

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - two individual seats in the rear

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - lots of wood in the interior - the veneers were elaborately glued with an aluminum carrier layer so that they could not break or splinter

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - standard burl wood interior

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Steering wheel with driver airbag

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - automatically dimming interior rear-view mirror, infinitely variable between 80 and 6%.

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - many buttons in the center console, auxiliary heating was available at extra cost

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - with complete equipment

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Mercedes-Benz S 600 (1995) - with innovative Autopilot System (APS) as a navigation aid

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Mercedes-Benz S 600 (1995) - Directional information on the display of the APS radio

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Mercedes-Benz S 600 (1995) - CD and CD player for APS system in the trunk

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Mercedes-Benz CL 600 (1996) - knitted velour replaces the previously foil-laminated parts

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - electric seat belt reminder for the front seats

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - the window regulators with automatic low and high speed control and guaranteed stop in the event of resistance

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - the headlight covers are larger than they should be due to the size of the lights

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - Dipsticks to facilitate parking maneuvers

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Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC (1992) - reference to the V12 engine on board

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Mercedes-Benz S 600 (1994) - Coupé with and without ESP

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Summary

Some simply considered the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC to be the best car in the world, while others thought it was too big, too ostentatious, too clumsy or altogether superfluous. To this day, this controversy has not come to an end - a good reason to take a closer look at the coupé, which is now over 30 years old. This driving report tells the story of the S-Class coupé of the 1990s and shows it in current and historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Carved from the solid
Based on the S-Class saloon
Design Bruno Sacco
War of the buttons?
Complex electrics
Unrivaled?
Minor metamorphoses
Effortless gliding
Rarely seen

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

With a base price of over 219,000 francs or DM, the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC was the most expensive car from Sindelfingen and a car that made a splash, and not just because of its design. The new coupé was not lacking in presence when it was officially unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show at the beginning of January 1992. Incidentally, it was the first time that a new model had been launched outside of Europe and showed just how important the American market was to the Stuttgart-based company. The press release for the motor show announced the coupé with creatively chosen words: "The new coupé impresses with its cultivated, understated appearance. Its complete equipment makes driving an aesthetic pleasure. Although its technical home is in the corresponding saloons - the engines, chassis and other technical equipment are largely identical - the timelessly elegant design clearly emphasizes its independent character."

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