The first official “Mercedes-Benz S-Class” – internal designation W 116 – replaced the W 108/109 series and initially included three models, the 280 S, 280 SE and 350 SE. One noteworthy technical innovation introduced for the first time as standard in the sedans of the W 116 series was the double-wishbone front suspension with zero-offset steering and anti-dive control, which originally underwent testing in the C 111 experimental vehicle. This feature further improved handling characteristics. A new top-of-the-range model was presented in May 1975 – the 450 SEL 6.9. And from fall 1978, the S-Class sedans of the W 116 series became the first vehicles in the world equipped with a technical innovation of ground-breaking significance: The anti-lock brake system (ABS), which guaranteed the vehicle’s unrestricted steer-ing response even under emergency braking.

126 series (1979 to 1991)

In September 1979, Mercedes-Benz presented a new generation of the S-Class at the IAA in Frankfurt. The body was built according to the latest findings in safety research. Thanks to new design principles the passenger compartment could now withstand an “offset crash” at im-pact speeds up to 55 km/h. From 1981 the vehicle came with an air-bag for the driver and – following the model refinement package of 1985 – for the front passenger also. Also in 1985, the engine range underwent a restructuring. The most spectacular newcomer was a 5.6-liter eight-cylinder unit which generated 200 kW (272 hp). In addition, all models in the W 126 series now came equipped with 15-inch wheels and bigger brakes to match. During the twelve-year production period a total of 818,036 sedans left the production workshops in Sin-delfingen, making the W 126 the most successful premium-class model series in company history.

140 series (1991 to 1998)

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991 the company introduced the S-Class from the W 140 series. A newly developed double wishbone front axle, mounted on a subframe, provided front suspension – a sys-tem designed to isolate the body from audible and perceptible vibra-tions. Ride comfort was also improved considerably by the sound-proofing properties of the windows, the first time this feature had been used in a passenger car series. The 6.0-liter V12 engine was a com-pletely new design, and not only the first series-produced twelve-cylinder ever built by Mercedes-Benz for a passenger car, but also the most powerful Mercedes-Benz car engine, with a rated power output of 300 kW (408 hp). In June 1993 the model designations were changed so as to place the “S” in front of the three-digit number. At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1994, the S-Class sedans appeared with discreet stylistic revisions. With effect from December 1996 the S 280 and S 320 models with automatic transmission were also equipped with the dynamic handling control system ESP. At the same time another innovation – and world first – was put into operation: Brake Assist. At the start of its career and particularly in Germany, the largest ever S-Class did not have an easy time of it – despite having undeniable qualities. Nevertheless, by September 1998 a total of 406,532 sedans from the W 140 series had been built – 28,101 of them with diesel engines.

220 series (1998 to 2005)