Mercedes-Benz has been constructing full-size luxurious automobiles because the 1950s. The primary such mannequin was launched in 1954 because the W180, however it’s higher recognized to the general public because the Ponton. It was changed in 1959 by the W111 (later up to date to the W112), also referred to as the Fintail. In 1965, Mercedes-Benz launched the W108, which remained in manufacturing till 1972. This was when the German firm launched the W116; the primary full-size sedan formally known as the S-Class.
Developed for round three years, the W116 was thought-about an enormous leap ahead and impressed all the opposite vehicle traces that Mercedes-Benz provided on the time.
The primary S-Class additionally launched many security improvements, together with anti-lock brakes in any respect 4 corners, a high-strength physique construction, crumple zones entrance and rear, a padded dashboard with deformable switches and controls, and a steering wheel with an impact-absorbing cushion.
The low-slung, elegant exterior was backed by a snug, luxurious inside, and a snug suspension setup. The primary-gen S-Class was much more trendy that the up to date Cadillac and quicker than the Rolls-Royce out there on the time. Nonetheless, the cabin wasn’t as opulent as 1970s Cadillacs and Rolls-Royces, although the S-Class was notably costlier than its American rival.
The S-Class was launched with a wide range of six-cylinder and V-Eight engines.
The bottom mannequin, the 280 S, was powered by a 2.7-liter inline-six rated at 158 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. The 280 SE featured the identical engine, however the energy went as much as 182 horses and 176 pound-feet. The V-Eight fashions had been out there in 350 SE and 450 SE trims. These variations got here with 197 horsepower and 211 pound-feet and 222 horses and 278 pound-feet, respectively. Their American counterparts had been much less highly effective as a result of emission management gadgets that had been necessary on the time.
Mercedes launched probably the most spectacular model of the primary S-Class, the 450 SEL 6.9, in 1975. Not like different V-Eight fashions, powered by 3.5-liter and 4.5-liter engines, this variant featured a large 6.8-liter V-8. Rated at 282 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of twist, it was quicker and extra highly effective than another luxurious automobile in the marketplace. Within the U.S., the 450 SEL 6.9 got here with 250 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. This sedan wanted solely 7.Four seconds to hit 62 mph on its strategy to a high velocity of 140 mph. The Germans additionally provided a diesel model. Referred to as the 300 SD, it was powered by a five-cylinder oil burner that generated 120 horses and 170 pound-feet in its strongest model.
Temporary Mercedes-Benz S-Class historical past
Launched in 1972, the first-generation S-Class remained in manufacturing till 1980. That’s when it was changed by the extra trendy W126 technology. This technology spent much more years in the marketplace, being phased out a full 11 years later, in 1991. The W126 was adopted by the W140, a technology that additionally spawned a C140 coupe mannequin. The third-gen S-Class reached the top of the road in 1998 when Mercedes-Benz launched the W220 model. Bigger and extra superior than its predecessor, the W220 remained in manufacturing till 2005, however Mercedes didn’t supply a coupe model. The S-Class was as soon as once more redesigned for 2006 by the W221 technology, which rolled out the meeting line for seven years, till 2013. The present sixth-gen mannequin, also referred to as the W222, has been in manufacturing since 2013. This technology additionally marked the return of the coupe mannequin, offered because the C217. The seventh-generation S-Class, codenamed the W223, is ready to be unveiled in September 2020 and arrive into showrooms in 2021.
Let’s block adverts! (Why?)
