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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Carpedia  ·  November 11, 2019

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class, aka Sonderklasse (Special Class), is the flagship model of the Mercedes-Benz fleet. Classified as full-size luxury sedan and limousine, it has been in production since 1972, with predecessors dating back to 1954. With every generation, the S-Class introduced technologies and innovations that would later become industry-standard. Well-known build quality, elegant exterior, and exquisite interior features are some of the reasons why the S-Class has been the world's best-selling luxury sedan. 

Two-door coupé variants were given different classifications throughout the years. Originally named SEC-Class, it was renamed to S-Coupé. CL-Class was a spin-off produced from 1996 till 2014 when it got designated back as the S-Coupé. Mercedes-Benz introduced an S-Class Convertible in 2016, codenamed A217.

Initially, the standard version of the sedan was labelled 'SE', while the long-wheelbase version was labelled 'SEL'. In 1993, Mercedes decided to change the naming convention, labelling both versions 'S', doing away with the 'E' as the einspritzung fuel injection system became standard. The number after the S determined the trim levels - a higher number represented more upscale variants.

History

W180 ‘Ponton’ (1954-1959)

The W180 was produced from 1954 to 1958 as a four-door sedan, two-door coupé, and two-door convertible. Due to the unibody-type, pontoon-shaped exterior, it was popularly called Ponton, a nickname that is used to this day. 

The first generation, codenamed 220a, was based on the W120 but had a longer wheelbase to fit the inline-six engine taken from the W187. The passenger cabin was longer, resulting in improved legroom, which also made the car more distinguishable from its inline-four sibling by an additional rear window. 

M180 single carburettor, inline-six petrol engine had the displacement of 2.2L, produced 63kW (84hp) of power, 157Nm of torque, and could reach 150km/h. It teamed up with a 4-speed manual transmission with column gearshift and rear-wheel-drive.

The 220s came as a replacement in 1956, with changes to the front bumper and a few minor features, improved inline-six engine, now producing 74kw (99hp) of power and 162Nm of torque. Coupé and Cabriolet models were also available, with some Cabriolet having folding rear seats to provide more luggage space. 

The total production numbers were: 25,937 (220a models), 55,279 (220s saloons), and 3,429 (cabriolet and coupe models). The W128 succeeded W180.

W128 ‘Ponton’ (1958-1960) 

Much like the 220s, W128 was available in the sedan, coupé or cabriolet versions, and in inline-six engine. It was marketed as the Mercedes-Benz 220 SE, and due to the mostly identical looks with the W180, it shares the nickname 'Ponton’. 2.2L petrol engine used the Bosch-made einspritz fuel injection, starting the trend of appending ‘E’ to emphasise it. It had an aluminium head and overhead camshaft producing 115 horsepower. Daimler-Benz constructed the 220 SE with a unitised body and fully-independent suspension, producing a total of 1974 sedans 830 coupés, and 1112 cabriolets. 

W111 and W112 ‘Fintail’ (1959-1971)

Produced in four-door sedan variant (1959 to 1968) and coupé and cabriolet variants (1961-1971), it featured distinctive tailfins, popular on American-made cars, earning it the nickname Fintail. The naming scheme was rather complicated for the Fintail, with multiple internal-codes: W110, W111, and W112.  

Passenger comfort and safety were the priority, with Ponton cabin becoming wider and squared off, and improved driver visibility. Here we can see the first of many S-Class innovations, like retractable seat belts, and more importantly, the front and rear crumple zones for absorbing impact energy. 

W112 was the most luxurious of the range, with power steering, air suspension, and automatic transmission as standard equipment. Fitted with a lot of chrome and 14-inch wheels, and a 3.0L inline-six engine, it cost almost twice as much as the top of the line W111 220SE. The engine produced 160hp, giving the car a top speed of 180km/h. Due to being considerably smaller than its predecessor (300 Adenauer) and its successor (600 Grosser), Mercedes made the Lang (Long) version to fill the gap, producing a total of 6748 standard and Lang versions. The automaker also produced 708 cabriolets and 2419 coupés, aiming both variants at upmarket clients.

W108 and W109 (1965-1972)

Revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1965, W108 came in three variants, 250S, 250SE, and 300SE, while W109 came as 300SEL. The most notable design changes to the predecessor were the disappearance of the tailfins, lower body waistline, and increased windows and windshield, referenced as 'greenhouse'. It now had an upgraded suspension, reinforced rear axle with hydropneumatic compensator spring, disc brakes to both the back and the front, and 14-inch wheels. The W109 had a longer wheelbase and self-levelling air suspension, but aside from that, it was identical to the W108. 

In 1969, the 2.5L inline-six engine increased in capacity to 2.8L, with 250S and 250SE becoming 280S and 280SE to represent this change. 300SE was discontinued, while the 300SEL swapped to the same 2.8L engine as in the 280 models. Somewhat confusingly, W108 received another model named 280SEL, which had a longer wheelbase than the W109 but didn’t have the pneumatic suspension and other more luxurious features of the 300SEL. With that, the prior distinction between W108 and W109 by the wheelbase length became unreliable. 

Erich Waxenberger paired the 6.3L Mercedes-Benz V8 engine from the 600 Grosser with a standard W109, making the first Mercedes sleeper car. Eventually, it received its 3.5L V8 engine with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection. Its top speed of 200km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration in 10 seconds. In 1970, the same engine became available for W108's 280SE and 280SEL versions. 

As the two-door W111 and W113 Pagoda got phased out, the remaining W108 and W109 receive their final upgrade in the big-block 4250cc 168kW (225hp) engine. Throughout production, Mercedes aimed for the most exquisite model, using burled walnut for the dashboard and power windows as the most notable features. 

A total of 367,522 W108's rolled out of the production lines, in both variants of 280S and 280SE. W109, as the more luxurious model, only sold a few thousand units for every version, with 300SEL 3.5 selling the most at 9,483.

First Generation W116 (1972-1980)

Officially the first S-Class, the development of W116 began in 1966, just a year after the launch of W108 and W108. It was the trendsetter for future Mercedes vehicles, with a design that featured masculine, sporty, and elegant notes all at the same time. These design choices were present until 1993. Friedrich Geiger, the designer responsible for the works of art such as 500K, 540K, and the 300SL Gullwing, among many others, made W116 his last design before retiring.

Initially, S-Class came in two choices - M110 2.8L inline-six engine with Solex carburettor (280 S) and Bosch D-Jetronic injection (280 SE) as well as M116 3.5L V8 engine in the 350 SE. Due to the fuel crisis of 1973, a long-wheelbase variant of the 280 was added. M117 4.5L V8 with a power output of 165kW (221hp) joined in the same year, both as 450 SE and 450 SEL. These models came with velvet or leather seats, rather than the checkered cloth of the previous models. 450 SE won the European Car of the Year award in 1974 and becoming the first production car equipped with an electronic four-wheel and multi-channel ABS made by Bosch. 

The US received 300 SD sedan, a turbocharged 3.0L inline-five diesel engine, originally developed for the experimental C111. In 2013, a 300 SD from 1979 was used in the 24 Hours of LeMons at Carolina Motorsports Park. After 166 laps and an average speed for 54.8 MPH, S-Class won the highest prize, the Index of Effluency. It encountered no mechanical problems aside from tyre and brakes wear-related issues. It is still being used to this day due to its exceptional fuel economy of 18MPG or 13L per 100km.

1975 brought upgrades to the S-Class, most notably a new K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection, which was less complicated and more reliable than its predecessor. This change also helped reduce emissions to comply with the new European standards. In 1978, engines were upgraded to match the power of the previous D-Jetronic injection engines. 

Most notable of the W116 models was the limited production, 450 SEL 6.9, first introduced in 1975. It came with the largest engine in the post-war Mercedes era, as well as the largest non-US production engine with self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension. It was labelled as the new flagship and offered in minimal numbers. Popularly referred to as '6.9' to differentiate it from the 450 SEL, it had a power output of 210kW (282hp) and 549Nm of torque. The top speed specified by the manufacturer was 225km/h, but some journalists managed 241km/h in their tests. 

The price of the 6.9 was almost three times that of top-level Cadillacs but less than most Rolls-Royces. While it certainly was a luxurious car, it was not near the level of what Rolls-Royce and Cadillac had to offer. Still, it found its place as a sleeper luxury car, with the '6.9' badge being the only distinctive characteristic to separate it from the rest of W116. It used more modern technology and beat out the competition in speed and general performance, as well as interior space. 

Just like its predecessors, W116 brought a variety of safety innovations, including the previously mentioned ABS improved control and reduced braking distance during hard brakes. It boasted of enhanced crumple zones, a padded dashboard, and a four-spoke steering wheel with impact absorber and broad impact cushion that helped enhance occupant safety.

Second Generation W126 (1980-1991)

Plans for the next generation of S-Class began in October 1973, only three years into production of W116. Primary goals were improving the fuel efficiency, handling, and ride, aiming to retain the prestige and bestselling numbers of the previous models. It had enhanced aerodynamics due to sleeker design, use of alloys, and a wind tunnel.

W126 was officially revealed at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung in Frankfurt in September of 1979, after six years in development. The initial lineup consisted of seven models in standard and long-wheelbase variants. A coupé version codenamed C126 and marketed as 500SEC was revealed at the same motor show two years later, as a single model. 

Four years after release, Mercedes updates the entire model range, with changes to the bumpers, side covers, and adding larger wheels, but most notable changes were to the engines. W126 was a very successful model, selling a total of 892,123 units, making the W126 the most popular S-Class ever produced. 

Safety features include airbags (driver and passenger), traction control system, seatbelt pretensioners, anti-lock braking system (ABS), crumple zones, fluted taillights, a third brake light, use of high strength low alloy steel.

Comfort features include courtesy lights on the underside of the doors, 8-way power/dual-stage/heated front seats, 2-way power/dual-stage/heated rear 'Chesterfield' bench seat, power-adjustable rear seats, fully-automatic climate control, and exterior temperature sensor with LCD.

Four-speed automatic transmission that could sense whether the car is going uphill or downhill, as well as monitor gas pedal position - this allowed the vehicle to restrain the power on a downhill, as well as hill-hold, maintain the position of the car after a full stop on an incline. Due to the capability to start in second gear, it offered a smooth start, which could be switched on and off on the European models. It proved beneficial in winter conditions in preventing wheel spin. 

Self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension first used on the W116 6.9 was carried over, offering smooth ride as well as rigidity for sportier behaviour. Cruise control used the same technology as the transmission (topographical sensor) which allowed the car to automatically adjust the throttle to maintain speed, which further improved comfort. 

Engine options came in inline-five diesel, inline-six petrol and diesel, and V8 petrol engines, paired with 4-speed 4G-Tronic automatic transmission, or a choice between 4-speed and 5-speed manual. Diesel engines came in a 3.0L I5, 3.0L I6, and 3.5L I6 variants, while the petrol range started at 2.6L I6, and went all the way to 5.5L V8. All petrol engines were able to break the 200km/h top speed, the diesel engines only managing 175km/h and 195km/h.

The popularity of the W126 cannot be emphasised enough, with many celebrities, politicians, and world leaders having one, or an entire fleet. For their needs, the S-Guard version was created, with bulletproof glass, stretched wheelbase, and armoured body panels. While S-Class and Mercedes-based fleets are mostly associated with notorious leaders of the past, one of the most notable drivers of a W126 was Nelson Mandela, who owned a 500 SE in colour red.

Third Generation W140 (1991-1998)

At the Geneva Motor Show of 1991, Mercedes-Benz showed the public the new flagship S-Class, with sales starting shortly after. It was available in Standard and Long wheelbase, as well as the Coupé version. Class restructure of 1993 finally phased out the injection nomenclature. From that point onward, every model would have an 'S' designation, followed by a number, and 'L' if it was a long-wheelbase version. In 1996, coupé models were separated into their own, CL-Class. A total of 432,732 units were produced through the eight-year production run.

W140 continued the trend of innovations including:

All the technical and design choices set Mercedes back $1 billion, as well as the departure of its chief engineer Wolfgang Peter. 

Originally, it was supposed to have air suspension as an option, but Mercedes decided to improve that technology further and equip the next generation with it. W140 instead used a rear hydropneumatic suspension like its predecessors. Facelift update brought Electronic Stability Control as an optional feature, while the cars came equipped with Acceleration Slip Regulation as standard on more models as the years went by. 

Powertrain options feature 2.8 to 7.3 litre petrol engines and 3.0 to 3.5 litre diesel engines, paired with 4-speed and 4-speed automatic (G-Tronic) and 5-speed manual gearbox. Power output ranges from 142kW on the weaker end to 386kW from the 7.0L 48 Valve engine. 

CAN bus makes its first appearance in the W140, as well as front axle double-wishbone suspension, rear independent multi-link suspension, adaptive damping system, and self-levelling suspension. 

Safety features introduced on the W140 became widely used in the following years on the more affordable cars from Mercedes and other manufacturers, as the technology cost dropped. Some of these features include a braking system that would distribute more braking power to the back, improving stopping distance, and the brake assist system, which would engage in critical situations to boost the braking force to the maximum. Electronic Stability Program or ESP, now part of standard equipment on any vehicle, originated on the S 600 Coupé. Xenon lights, side airbags (pioneered by Volvo) and seat occupancy sensors, as well as automatic windscreen wipers, are some of the other features. 

Comfort features include double-paned soundproof glass, electrically-operated exterior mirrors, parameter steering which helped maneuver at low speed-sensitive situations, Parktronic sonar system, heated seats, rear-view mirror with automatic-dimming. Other options are dual-zone climate control, electric rear sunshade, GPS, and voice control. 

Fourth Generation W220 (1998-2005)

Design on the W140 successor began in 1992, under the leadership of Steve Mattin, and was design fully 29 months before the start of production in August of 1998, while the Cl-Class coupé production began in 1999. Compared to W140, the new S-Class has a slightly smaller external dimension but more interior space, especially in the long-wheelbase variant. It sold a bit more units compared to its predecessor at 485,000 units, with production ending in 2006. 

Facelift of 2002 made changes to the front-end, mainly the grille, transparent headlamp housings with sealed-beam projectors, as well as revised taillights. Interior changes feature improvements to the COMAND system and minor design updates.

Powertrain options come in 2.8L to 6.0L petrol engines and 3.2L to 4.0L diesel engines, paired with five-speed and seven-speed automatic transmission. European market favoured S 320 CDI, making it the most popular model, and the first time S-Class achieved broad appeal with a diesel-powered model. 

Long wheelbase S 500 was the most popular version, produced in over 108,000 units with additional 13,000 of all-wheel drive units, and over 21,000 Standard wheelbase units for a total of roughly 140,000 throughout production. The Pullman version is a 'stretch' limousine with a wide range of well-appointed equipment, including AMG Advanced Mobile Media System, with 10.4-inch LCDs, internet access, and video support. The Pullman came in S 500 and S 600 variants as a collaborative work between Mercedes and AMG. It was 100cm longer than the Standard S-Class, provides seating for up to seven passengers, and includes a bar.

S 55 AMG comes with changes focused on performance as well as sportier design. It was equipped with a 5.4L V8, initially producing 265kW (355hp) but upgraded in 2003 with a supercharger, raising the power to 368kW (493hp). Its 13-inch brake discs at the back and 14.2-inch at the front provide enough stopping power. Active body control with automatic level control and sport mode, 18-inch AMG alloy wheels and ventilated seats with massage were among other improvements.

Much like the 5.4L, S 65 AMG offers a sportier variant of the S-Class, this time with a 6.0L V12 twin-turbocharged engine, which produce an output of 450kW (604hp). It had a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.4 seconds, which is quite impressive for a vehicle weighing 2.300kg. It had a 5G-Tronic 5-speed torque converter automatic transmission to manage the 950Nm of torque produced.

Technological innovations include airmatic air suspension, active ventilated seats, keyless entry and ignition. Distronic was the first radar-assisted autonomous cruise control system active cylinder control deactivated cylinders in S 500 and S 600 models to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Safety features include pre-safe, collision avoidance and response system, ESP and brake assist, front and rear side curtain airbags (total of eight). LED brake lights, which illuminate faster than regular bulbs. 

Fifth Generation W221 (2006-2014)

At the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz revealed their new flagship in the W221 S-Class. Its design was more imposing than its predecessor, further emphasised by the increase in every dimension. Interior uses leather, wood, and metal almost exclusively, phasing out most of the plastic used on the W220. Design of the interior is luxurious but not cluttered, providing an elegant and practically minimalist appearance, despite being packed with features. COMAND multimedia and tuning system, and HVAC climate system control most of the features, gear shift lever has been removed and placed on the steering wheel, in stalk or paddle variant. The W221 model sold a total of 270,000 units. 

Safety features on the W221 include ESP, ABS, brake assist, Speedtronic, Distronic radar-controlled cruise control, Pre-Safe, Bi-Xenon headlights, night view Assist, adaptive brake lights, seatbelt pre-tensioners and eight dual-stage airbags. Superb handling is the result of Airmatic - air suspension, adaptive damping system and active body control. 

Comfort and quality of life features include rain-sensing wipers, fully-automatic climate control system, active ventilated seats, speed-sensitive parameter steering, electric park brake, multi-contour seats, electrically-operated rear-window shade, and rear side window sunshades, self-closing doors and boot-lid, keyless go and smart key entry, fibre-optic ambient lighting, parking assist, advanced parking guidance, infrared and noise reflecting glass, tyre pressure warning system.

S 600 Guard and S 600 Pullman Guard were present again, offered to the high-class clientele. They can resist small-arms projectiles, fragmentation grenades and other lower grade explosive. Run-flat tyres, self-sealing fuel tank a fire-extinguishing system, auto-closing doors, panic alarm system, and a rear camera provide an additional layer of protection and escape window. An emergency fresh air system protects the occupants from chemical attack. Despite weighing 4,200kg, S 600 Guard can reach a top speed of 210km/h.

As with previous generations, a wide range of engines is available in both fuel types. 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission, in standard and Sport variant, was paired with all engines except S 600, which retained the 5G-Tronic automatic transmission. 7G-Tronic came with DIRECT SELECT, allowing the driver to control the transmission electronically via level on the right-hand side of the steering column.

Petrol models: 

Diesel models:

Sixth Generation W222/C217/A217 (2013-present)

The current generation began production in 2013, featuring streamlined design characteristics of the other Mercedes models. FlexRay optical fibre data bus technology debuted with the W222, a system that interconnects all electrical and electronic systems, COMAND Online interface, MBC road scanning active suspension, as well as many driver assistance systems. Magic Body Control (MBC) is an update to the Active Body Control of the previous model, equipped with road scanning capabilities, actively responding to road imperfections and holes with each wheel. 

S-Class also received a C217 coupé and A217 cabriolet models, unifying the fleet once again under the same name. They were available in front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive layout, with seven-speed and nine-speed automatic G-Tronic transmission. 

Mercedes-Maybach sees a return in 2015, with the S 500 and S 600 models set to compete with Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII and Bentley Mulsanne. The rear bench is replaceable with two reclining seats, with optional air-conditioning, heating, and massage built into both the back and the front seats. Pullman Guard is based on the Maybach S 600 and comes with all the luxury options a car can have, as well as bulletproof, chemical-proof, and explosive proof protection. They were paired with V12 BiTurbo petrol engine, 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive.

The 2018 facelift model introduces new alternator, Energising Comfort Control, and updated autonomous driving technology. Grille was changed to have a different type for six-cylinder, eight-cylinder, and twelve-cylinder long-wheelbase versions. Headlights and tail lights received updated LED illuminating system. Some of the engine models received an update, new six-cylinder petrol and diesel models were added, and finally 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission for certain models.

Powertrain options were streamlined, featuring fewer diesel options due to stricter emissions regulations. The transmission comes in 7-speed and 9-speed automatic ‘G-TRONIC’ variants, 9-speed automatic AMG Speedshift MCT in the S 63 AMG 4Matic+, 7-speed automatic AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic in the S 65 AMG, and finally 7G-Tronic Plus in the Maybach S 650. 

In Australia, the following options are available: 


Author: Luka Kusic
 
 
 


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