Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the common description for a series of large luxury flagship sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, now a division of Daimler-Chrysler.

Origin of the S-Class

While the exact beginning of the colloquial S-Class expression cannot be determined precisely, it always referred to the most spacious and largest luxury vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, except for the very limited production Mercedes-Benz 600 . In some cases it also applied to vehicles requiring premium fuel or "Super" due to higher compression ratio and output of the top-of-the-line engines.

Widely distributed, over time, these cars came to be considered desirable by people all over the world. They were commonly accepted as the Mercedes-Benz flagship. Though the term S-Class had been used as the colloquial term for decades, it was not officially adopted by Mercedes-Benz until the introduction of the W116 for the 1973 model year.

The S-Class grew out of the modest "Ponton" model, a six cylinder sedan known as the W180 /128 bodystyle. The line was introduced with the 220a, 219 (W105), 220S, and 220SE sedan, coupe, and convertible in 1954/1956. 1959 saw the introduction of the 220Sb (W111) with the new "Einheitskarosserie", which branched off in 1961 into the W110 featuring a shorter hood and wheelbase for the "economy" models 190c and 190Dc, and the 300 SE (W112]]), a short time successor to the "Großer Mercedes" 300/300b/300c/300d and predecessor of the "Großer Mercedes" 600 (W100). As the German economy grew, Mercedes-Benz saw the opportunity to build much larger vehicles, including the limited volume 1964 600 limousine (W100 series), which would then take the title of the "Großer Mercedes".

The W111 line continued in 1965 with the 230S sedan (still W111) alongside the new larger models W108/W109 250S / 250SE - which in 1968 grew to 280S and 280SE. The 300 SE was available in the W108 and in the W109 (LWB 300SEL) line until replaced by the 3.5 litre (in both long and standard bodies) and 6.3 litre V8 engine in the long body. (The W109 300SEL 6.3 is regarded as the world's first production "supercar.") These larger vehicles established the S-Class reputation that continues through to today.

The 1973 W116 saw the introduction of passive safety built into the design and the 1980 W126 brought aerodynamics to the previously brick shaped cars. The 1980's were synonomous with the W126 S-Class, a car which even today defines the image of the brand for many. The classic lines and proven durability of this car (two generations produced: pre and post-1985) make this a much beloved machine with thousands of owners. The W140 saw the car grow dramatically in its proportions, while the W220 saw a renewed focus on elegance.

The current S-Class, the W221, reverts back to the large, imposing image created by the W140, in an effort to regain some of its elite status which had somewhat diminished with the former W220 model, which came across, smaller, more elegant and perhaps, a little too friendly

All S-Classes are currently built in Sindelfingen, Germany.

S-Class Chronology

Naming Convention

As is typical for Mercedes, the name of the car consists of a small series of numbers and letters, often carried over from one bodystyle to the next.

For example, 500SEL denotes an S-Class car with an engine size of about 5,000ccm, with fuel injection (Einspritz) and long wheelbase (Lang). Note that the "S" in "SEL" is not the same as the "S" in "SL" (Sports Leicht) - the SL roadsters are not S-Class vehicles.

Currently, the S-Class is available in seven trim levels - the numbers are given in ascending order to denote more upscale models.

In 1994, the traditional naming convention (numbers, then letters) was reversed. From then on, the long-wheelbase models (formerly "SEL") and the regular length models (formerly "SE") are both labeled with the prefix of "S" regardless of length. For example, both 500SEL and 500SE are now labeled as S500.

Role of Autobahn

Germany has superhighways with no speed limit, known as the Autobahn. Driving very quickly for hours produces much more strain on the vehicle and requires careful engineering. As the most prestigious manufacturer in the home country of the Autobahn, Mercedes-Benz has been able to engineer vehicles suitable to this unique environment, often without regard to cost. The company in turn has been able to exploit this breeding as a marketing tool.

Vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 and Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 barely make sense outside of this context. The owner can't really impress onlookers with a remarkable bodystyle (like a Ferrari}, since these cars look deceptively like lesser models, yet are capable of some of the highest sustained speeds of any passenger vehicles of their era.

1959 Fintail

The W111 "Fintail" series debuted in 1959. Initially powered by a line of straight-6 engines (the M180 and M127), it set a new standard for luxury. The series was augmented with a line of 3.0 L cars in 1961, the W112.

A smaller Fintail line, the W110, was also produced at that time and became the predecessor to today's E-Class.

The Fintail was among the first cars in the world to have crumple zones and disc brakes, and for the top of range 300SE model, air suspension.{?}

1960s

With the W108/W109 series of 1965, these sedans received V8 power for the first time. The unusual 300 SEL 6.3 was based on this body type.

During this period, the designation SE is used for short wheel based models. Longer models (with more room in the back) are designated SEL. This designation continued until 1994.

1970s

The S-Class continued in the 1970s with the W116 series, produced from 1972 through 1979. This car had four wheel independent suspension and disk brakes. It was the first Mercedes model to be officially called S-Class after prior sedan models designated with an S, were unofficially called so earlier.

They were large luxury sedans. The new car was larger on the on the outside than the W108/W109 series it replaced, but had similar interior capacity, as the additional bulk was driven by new theories on car safety and occupant protection in a crash. It was one of the first cars to be available with ABS, airbag or a turbo diesel engine.

The most notable W116 was the high-performance, limited-production 450 SEL 6.9. This 8 cylinder model boasted the largest engine installed in a postwar Mercedes-Benz up to that time. Every 6.9 featured self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension and offered the ABS anti-lock braking system as an option from 1978 on.

Production totalled 473,035 units.

W126 1981

See Mercedes-Benz W126 for complete details.

The W116 S-Class was replaced by an all-new model in 1981, codenamed W126.

Most sales came from the Diesel (US) and straight-6 (Europe) models, but the V8 models were considered the best variants by contemporary journalists.

Although the top of range Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 of the previous generation was not directly replaced, the W126 carried forward the hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an option on the 500SEL. In 1983, the W126 re-introduced the airbag to the world, as an additional measure of occupant protection.

Abandoning the roadster based coupes, the W126 had a two door variant, the SEC coupé. The W126 line lasted from 1979 through 1991.

The 500SEL has an interesting place in US history, since American demand for this particular car drove the establishment of a large grey market. The detuned, yet very expensive standard US specification 380 SE/SEL/SEC was underpowered, according to contemporary reports, so 25,000 units per year of the parallel import vehicle were sold in the early 1980's.

Production totalled 818,036 units.

The W126 line was replaced by the W140 Mk VI S-Class in 1991.

W140 1991

See Mercedes-Benz W140 for complete details.

In 1991, Mercedes replaced the W126 S-Class with the W140. The very first W140 rolled off the assembly line on August 6, 1991. It was hailed by Mercedes-Benz as the best car in the world when launched. It also received severe derision for its staggering price, styling, size, reliability, and weight.

Production totalled 406,532 units, the lower total reflecting the inroads made by Lexus into the key US export market.

Design and Engineering

As with its predecessor the W140 was the first of the next generation of Mercedes-Benzs to feature the company's new design theme. The car was more aggressive, smoother and angular in appearance than its predecessor, but the design also featured slab contourless sides also seen on the first generation Toyota Avalon.

The new styling did not receive much praise from the motoring press, claiming that the only real success of the design was to disguise the size of the car, which was much larger than its predecessor.

As with each new S-Class the W140 was technologically advanced at its time of launch bringing in new innovations such as double-pane window glazing, which substantially reduced outside noise from intruding into the cabin while, self-closing doors and boot lid, electric windows which bounced back down when encountering an obstruction, rear-parking markers which appeared on the rear wings and a heating system which blew warm even after the engine was turned off. All these features did add to the car's substantial heft though.

For details like this, the W140 is often known as the last Mercedes to be "overengineered", a Mercedes trait that was costing the company in product delays and overbudgeting. For the consumer, the W140 cost a considerable 25% more than its predecessor, the W126.

The W140 was supposed to feature air-suspension as an option but Mercedes was still perfecting the technology and chose to lauch air-suspension in the next generation S-Class, due out in 1998.

Like its predecessor, the car was available in two body lengths.

Once again, an SEC coupe was available, and in 1992 a V12 engine joined the lineup for the first time with the 600 SEL.

Second Generation W140 1993

Following the severe criticism of its styling the W140 was hastily facelifted in 1993 in order to make car look more stylised, even if it meant hiding the bulk of the car less successfully than the 1991 original. A new grille, headlights, bumpers, side rubbing strips and a new rear light design were added. The car looked more pleasing, but was still universally admired. The interior also received a major facelift. The door panels and dashboard were completely redesigned while the center-console only received a rather minor facelift.

The W140 S-Class was available in three wheelbase lengths:

2944 mm (115.9 in) SEC coupes

3040 mm (119.7 in) SE sedans

3139 mm (123.6 in) SEL sedans

Like all Mercedes-Benz lines, the W140 S-Class line was renamed in 1994 using the new "letter-first" nomenclature, dropping the named distinction between body styles. Though many of the vehicles carried on unchanged, it can be difficult to match the old and new models.

In 1994 all Mercedes model names were rationalized, with the SE/SEL/SEC cars becoming the S-Class. The alphanumerical designations were inverted, for example the 500 SE model becoming the S 500, while SEL models became S 500 Long and SEC coupés adopted the CL designation, although they were still part of the S family. Production of W140 models lasted through 1999.

The Mercedes-Benz W140 automobiles were produced from 1991 through 2000. They were sold as the SE/SEL/SEC (S-Class) luxury sedan and coupe, replacing the W126. The W140 was replaced by the W220 S-Class and C215 CL-Class for 2000. While the W140 drew criticism in Germany and Europe for its sheer size, it sold well in Asia and North America. Its build quality is considered to be the among the best Mercedes ever offered, which is also the reason for it having a cult following even today.

W220 2000

See Mercedes-Benz W220 for complete details.

In 1998 an all-new model was launched. Not only did the car maintain the lineage of previous S-Class sedans, but the W220 also had to overturn some of the negative elements of the previous S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz again claimed it was the 'best car in the world' when launched in 1998. The W220 faced stiff competition from rivals like the Audi A8 Mk II, BMW 7 Series Mk IV, Jaguar XJ Mk III, and Lexus LS/Toyota Celsior Mk III.

Production totalled 485,000 units, slightly more than the production totals from the W140.

Style

Unlike its predecessor, the W220 was no longer the first model to feature the company's new design theme for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz. This honor was given to the A-Class launched in 1997. The new S-Class incorporated the new styling cues and addressed the criticisms of the previous model's styling. Rather than being known as colloquially as 'the tank', the new S-Class was known for its rounded, graceful lines.

Despite being smaller, and therefore addressing another criticism of its predecessor, the new car was roomier inside while the dashboard carried over the new styling details first seen in the Mk I A-Class the year before.

Engineering

As with each new S-Class, the W220 was technologically advanced at the time of its launch, bringing in new innovations such as Airmatic air suspension, Active Ventilated seats (which use miniature fans in the seats to move air through perforations), keyless entry and ignition, radar-controlled distronic distance system and a cylinder deactivation system called Active Cylinder Control, which improves fuel consumption and reduces emissions.

4MATIC all wheel drive was introduced to the North American S-Class for 2002.

Engines

The models produced include the short wheelbase S 280, S 320 (which was later replaced by the S 350), and long wheelbase S 430, S 500, and S 600, the latter featuring a 500 PS (368 kW/493 hp) twin-turbo V12 engine from the Maybach 57/62. The two AMG models also produced are the S 55 and S65 AMG, the latter featuring the twin-turbo V12 engine producing 612 PS (450 kW/604 hp).

The extremely rare, V8-powered S 63 AMG was produced in 2001 only. An undisclosed number were sold exclusively through AMG in European and Asian markets.

W221 2005/6

See Mercedes-Benz W221 for complete details.

The W220 S-Class was replaced by an all-new W221 model in the autumn of 2005, with export to other markets beginning in 2006. The W221 was introduced to the North American market at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January.

The W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, and it features a more luxurious, Maybach-like appearance, as well as three newly developed engines with up to 26 percent power increase. The interior is completely new, all materials have been upgraded and make for a more luxurious ride, and the center-mounted transmission has been replaced with a column-shifter.

The 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission is standard, except on V12 engines, where the 5-speed Sequentronic is maintained. 4MATIC four wheel drive will become available in the fourth quarter of 2006. One major mechanical change is the elimination of brake by wire technology in favor of conventional hydraulic power assist. The brakes continue to become more advanced, however, with the new Brake Assist Plus system monitoring for an impending collision and increasing braking if needed, while the Distronic Plus cruise control can now bring the car to a complete stop.

Models sold in North America are the S 450, S 550, S 600, S 63 AMG and S65 AMG; other models to be sold outside North America include the S 350 and S320 CDI. The first W221 model released in North America was the S 550 (called S 500 outside North America), with the S 600 arriving in the following spring. Upscale department store Saks Fifth Avenue offered 20 special-edition S 600 sedans for sale in its 2005 Christmas catalog. All 20 cars, priced at ^*]145,000 each, sold on November 22, 2005 in under seven minutes. The Saks-edition S 600 sedans are finished in a mocha black exterior with an almond beige interior and are the first examples of the S 600 to be sold to private owners. The S 600s come with nearly every option standard.

Years	Model	Engine type	Displacement	Fuel	Power	Torque
2006–present	S 350	V6	3.5 L	Gasoline	272 PS (268 hp/200 kW)	350 N·m (258 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 450	V8	4.7 L	Gasoline	340 PS (335 hp/250 kW)	460 N·m (339 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 500 (S 550)	V8	5.5 L	Gasoline	388 PS (383 hp/285 kW)	530 N·m (391 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 600	Twin-turbo V12	5.5 L	Gasoline	517 PS (510 hp/380 kW)	830 N·m (612 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 63 AMG	V8	6.2 L	Gasoline	517 PS (510 hp/380 kW)	630 N·m (464 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 65 AMG	Twin-turbo V12	6.0 L	Gasoline	612 PS (604 hp/450 kW)	1000 N·m (737 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 320 CDI	Turbo Diesel V6	3.0 L	Diesel	235 PS (232 hp/173 kW)	540 N·m (398 ft·lbf)
2006–present	S 420 CDI	Turbo Diesel V8	4.0 L	Diesel	314 PS (310 hp/231 kW)	730 N·m (538 ft·lbf)

Safety

Road accident statistics on a model-by-model basis from the UK Department of Transport show that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the safest cars on the UK roads (measured in terms of chance of death in an accident) —between three times safer than the safest Volvo and BMW 7 Series models and only matched by the Jaguar XJ series and Land Rover.

S-Class Robots

In the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz built the world´s first robot cars, together with the team of Professor Ernst Dickmanns at Bundeswehr Universität München. A culmination point was achieved in 1995, when Dickmanns´ re-engineered autonomous S-Class robot took a long trip from Munich in Bavaria to Copenhagen in Denmark and back. On highways (autobahns) the robot achieved speeds exceeding 175 kilometres per hour. It suggested and executed maneuvers to pass other cars. The car´s abilities left a big impression on many observers, and heavily influenced robot car research and funding decisions world-wide.

Awards

The S-class was the Australian Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1981 and again in 1999.

External links

Highlights of robot car history with emphasis on a pioneering S-Class robot car of 1995 by Ernst Dickmanns

References

Model Timeline

Consumer Guide. 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class/CL-Class Snapshot. Retrieved December 21, 2003 from http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/prices/index.cfm/id/37669

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