For 50 years, the name S-Class has had an excellent sound and reputation. It stands for automotive excellence in comfort, technology and design. It all began with the 116 model series, which Mercedes-Benz introduced in 1972 together with the new name. Since then, the S-Class has been an international synonym for top-of-the-range and luxury-class automobiles. The prestigious vehicles from Mercedes-Benz are in demand all over the world: the S-Class is the best-selling luxury saloon in the world. And the first S-Class has stood the test of time, as well-maintained examples have long since become popular and sought-after classics.
The 280 S and 280 SE models with six-cylinder engines and the 350 SE with an eight-cylinder engine kick things off. The premiere took place at the 59th Salon de l'Automobile in Paris from October 5 to 15, 1972, and the model range was expanded several times in the following years. In 1973, the 4.5-liter eight-cylinder engine made its debut in the S-Class in the 450 SE and at the same time in the 450 SEL with a wheelbase extended by 100 millimetres. This version, which was lengthened to gain space in the rear, was later also included in the sales program as the 350 SEL and 280 SEL. The highlight was the 450 SEL 6.9 presented in May 1975, a cultivated high-performance saloon with 210 kW (286 hp), which was exceptional five decades ago. In 1978, even the diesel engine found its way into the S-Class: the 300 SD, which was only available in the USA and Canada, was very popular on the North American continent.
A long tradition dating back to the brand's beginnings
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a long tradition. This goes back to the beginnings of the Mercedes brand at the start of the 20th century. Luxury, comfort and safety: luxury and luxury-class vehicles were the focus of the Stuttgart-based brand's product range long before the official designation S-Class was introduced in 1972. And with each generation of its top-of-the-range automobiles, Mercedes-Benz always provides convincing answers to the wishes and requirements of the time.
The "S" stands for "Special" or "Super"
The cover page of the press kit for the Paris Motor Show simply reads: "Mercedes-Benz presents: The new S-Class". This is the first time the brand has given such a designation to a segment of the passenger car range. Mercedes-Benz had already been using the "S" since 1949 after the Second World War: this abbreviation for "Special" or "Super" in the 170 S model presented in 1949 was intended to emphasize its special character, explained Dr. Wilhelm Haspel, then Chairman of the Board of Management and General Director of Daimler-Benz AG. Since then, there have been many model designations with this letter. From 1972, the S-Class then became the concise term for an entire model family. The E-Class as the definition of Mercedes-Benz automobiles in the upper mid-size class and the C-Class as the family name for the compact class did not follow until 1993, almost 20 years later.
Everything is new in the first officially named S-Class
The 116 model series is a completely newly developed generation of vehicles - the design, body, engines and chassis mark an innovative leap in the brand's history. The wheelbase has grown by 115 millimetres compared to the previous W 108/109 model series, while the overall length has only increased by 60 millimetres, which benefits the proportions and, of course, the interior. The width increases by 55 millimeters, while the height shrinks by 15 millimeters. A horizontal light unit for the first time and the low radiator grille emphasize the horizontal line. Some of the outside air is directed to the radiator via openings under the bumpers, which are fitted with rubber strips. The designers focus on the theme of "seeing and being seen": the A-pillars are covered to keep water away from the side windows. A headlight cleaning system is offered as an optional extra. A rain gutter guides water flowing over the roof around the rear window into the joint of the trunk lid. The rear light lenses are ribbed to reduce soiling.
A new level of safety
Mercedes-Benz has attached great importance to improved passive safety since the 1950s. With the body of the 116 model series, the level of safety has reached a new level. The calculated deformation capacity, commonly known as the "crumple zone", is significantly greater. Roof pillars, door pillars and sills withstand even severe collisions and also contribute to the protection of the occupants. The door hinges have been reinforced and the safety pin locks optimized. The fuel tank is no longer located at the rear, but above the rear axle and is well protected in this position in the event of a collision. The interior has also been redesigned with safety in mind. The dashboard has thick padding, switches are deformable or recessed, and the four-spoke steering wheel is fitted with a bumper and wide padding plate. The principle of a defused interior has been used in conjunction with the safety steering column in all of the brand's passenger cars since 1967.
The ABS anti-lock braking system, developed in collaboration with Bosch and introduced in 1978, is a groundbreaking world first: it guarantees the vehicle's unrestricted steering ability even in the event of emergency braking. This allows the vehicle to be steered around obstacles. This significant contribution to active safety becomes the standard in automotive engineering.
Chassis with sports car genes
The chassis has technical parallels with the Mercedes-Benz C 111 super sports car, the research vehicle with Wankel engine that was never built in series production. The double wishbone front axle with zero steering roll radius and brake pitch support, which was tested there, improved the driving characteristics and largely eliminated sensitivity to one-sided pulling brakes. Despite the longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor, the 116 series has a smaller turning circle. A semi-trailing arm axle is used at the rear, which has proven its worth for good road holding in the "Stroke Eight" models and the SL/SLC of the 107 series. For the more powerful 450 SE/SEL and the 450 SEL 6.9, this design is further developed into a coupled axle. In these models, starting torque support ensures that the camber of the rear wheels and the suspension travel do not change during acceleration.
Engines with six and eight cylinders
As early as the mid-1960s, a new generation of smaller V8 engines was developed, similar in design to the M 100 engine from the Mercedes-Benz 600. The designation M 116 was chosen for the 3.5-liter version with an output of 147 kW (200 hp), while the 4.5-liter version with 165 kW (225 hp) was called the M 117. These V8 engines were already being used in the predecessor series W 108/109, in the Coupé/Cabriolet of the 111 series and in the SL/SLC of the 107 series before the market launch of the 116 series, driving the performance of these models to new peak values.
The M 110 in-line six-cylinder engine has two overhead camshafts and a displacement of 2.8 liters. It delivers 118 kW (160 hp) in the carburetor version and 136 kW (185 hp) with fuel injection. The engine made its debut in the "Stroke Eight" models at the beginning of 1972. The 300 SD, which was only offered in the USA and Canada, was powered by the OM 617 A five-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of three liters. The engine also comes from the "Stroke Eight" mid-range series, but is equipped with a turbocharger. It therefore achieves an output of 85 kW (115 hp). An important reason for the development of this engine is the fleet consumption in the USA, which is the average consumption of all car models of a manufacturer. With the help of the economical diesel, Mercedes-Benz complies with the legal requirements there.
Top model 450 SEL 6.9
When Mercedes-Benz presented the high-performance 450 SEL 6.9 saloon in 1975, it was one of the fastest vehicles ever: only very few sports cars at the time achieved a higher speed. The imposing saloon sped to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. A top speed of 225 km/h was specified, but trade journals measured even higher values in tests. As with its legendary predecessor, the 300 SEL 6.3 (W 109), the eight-cylinder engine was taken from the prestigious Mercedes-Benz 600 saloon (W 100 model series). However, the cylinder bore is enlarged from 103 millimetres to 107 millimetres with the same stroke. This results in a displacement of 6,834 cubic centimeters for the 450 SEL 6.9. The engine delivers 210 kW (286 hp) at 4,250 rpm and reaches its maximum torque of 550 Nm at 3,000 rpm. Mercedes-Benz takes a completely new approach to the suspension: following the air suspension of the 300 SEL 6.3, the 450 SEL 6.9 is equipped with hydropneumatics including level control. Price list no. 16, dated January 28, 1976, lists DM 69,930.00 as the base price for the top model in the 116 model series. By way of comparison, the entry-level 280 S model cost DM 28,848.90 at the time.
In September 1979, Mercedes-Benz presented the 126 model series as the next generation of the S-Class at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main. However, production of the 116 model series was not discontinued until the following year: A 300 SD is the last of 473,035 examples of the first S-Class to pass the final acceptance test in Sindelfingen. After all, 28,634 300 SDs were produced. Of the vehicles with the eight-cylinder M 116/M 117 engines, 156,548 were produced. The six-cylinder variants are particularly popular with buyers, with 280,473 vehicles built. The 450 SEL 6.9, of which 7,380 were built, occupies a special position.
The S-Class sets standards
All subsequent generations of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class have continued the tradition of automotive excellence in the full-size and luxury class with great success. The current 223 model series is the best-selling, most innovative and safest vehicle in its segment. Once again, it offers unique comfort and safety technologies. These include the DRIVE PILOT, which is available as an optional extra and offers the highest level of assistance and automation currently possible. Or the intelligent MBUX infotainment system, which, if desired, gets to know the driver over time and thinks along with them. The MBUX augmented reality head-up display in the windshield brings the latest display technology directly into the field of vision. DIGITAL LIGHT, the extended version of ATTENTION ASSIST and rear-axle steering all contribute to driving safety. The S 580 e with plug-in hybrid drive offers an electric range of up to 108 kilometers (S 580 e Sedan short | WLTP: Fuel consumption weighted combined: 0.9-0.6 l/100 km; electricity consumption weighted combined: 23.0-20.2 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions weighted combined: 20-14 g/km). Since 2014, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, positioned above the S-Class in the product portfolio, has also demonstrated what is technically feasible in automotive technology as a top product in the automotive luxury class. One thing has united all versions and generations of the S-Class since 1972: their market success - they are among the most sought-after cars in the world.
