The History of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class from 1951 to 2005

This week on TestDrive we're looking at the history of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class all the way back from 1951 until the 2005 model year.

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Our episode of TestDrive explores the history of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class starting from before the S-Class was even a name. Special thanks to Daimler AG for providing us a complete history of the S-Class including outstanding historical photos of the models we're discussing. The S-Class traces its roots back to 1951 when the W187 220 model was launched. Sedans, coupés, and two convertible versions were avaialble during the 3 year production run.

In 1954 the next top-end Mercedes-Benz passenger car was launched, known as the 'Ponton' model as it was the first vehicle in their portfolio to use a Ponton-type chassis design, more commonly known today as a form of unibody structure. The W180 Ponton was sold as the 220 model and featured new technology adapted from the W196R Formula One racing car driven by legendary racing car driver Sterling Moss.

The W180 II Ponton launched shortly after, bringing an optional 100 horsepower engine and two different models, the 220 S, and the significantly less prestigious 219. This 2019 was known internally as the W105. This generation saw a new hydraulic clutch system called 'Hydrak'. The first direct-gasoline injection model was launched later on as the 220 SE and boosted power to 115 hp and came with the internal designation of W128.

The Fintail Mercedes-Benz W111 brought some unique design characteristics inspired by American design trends at the time. This generation brought new safety technologies to the brand and the world, and helped to solidify it as one of the safest vehicles available at the time. The first true predecessor to the S-Class was introduced at this time as the W112, a 300 SE which came equipped with a 4 speed automatic transmission, power steering, air suspension, and dual-circuit brakes. A long version of the 300 SE was announced later on.

As we approach the end of the predecessors of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz launched the W108 in March 1965 as the successor to the popular Fintail. Updated engines and new technology was what distinguished these models from the Fintail, though the design and styling was relatively similar. Later in 1966 the W109 was announced, offering buyers their first taste of long wheelbase luxury that we'd come to know for the next 30 years. The 300 SEL 6.3 brought the L designation to the model line up along with a 6.3L V8 engine which provided enough power to make this Mercedes into a sports sedan.

The first true generation of the S-Class began with the W116. Three models were available to choose from including the 280 S, 280 SE, and 350 SE. Mercedes-Benz followed up the highly successful 6.3L with a new 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9. 7,380 units were produced with this enormous engine, making it more popular than the previous generation's special trim. This generation S-Class was also the first to receive a diesel engine option, and was manufactured specifically for export for the US and Canadian markets.

1978 also saw the introduction of the first-ever ABS, or Anti-Lock Brake System, co-developed between Bosch and Daimler-Benz. 473,035 models were produced during the W116's production run.

We catch up with the S-Class with the earliest model we've personally featured on TestDrive, the W126. The two examples we had were the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL and the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE. Over the course of the 12 year production run for the W126, 818,036 vehicles were built, making it the most successful S-Class produced. New safety and luxury technologies were launched on this vehicle, many of which consumer cars take for granted today.

The W140 succeeded the most successful model with a new design language and focus on aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. We had the chance to feature the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S 600 on a previous episode of TestDrive, and went over the details on the first production consumer V12 engine by Mercedes-Benz. Even more technological and safety innovations were created with this vehicle, even though it was the start of cost-cutting measures felt throughout Mercedes-Benz.

The S-Class we've driven the most was the W220, which we featured three separate times on TestDrive, the most recent being a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S 55 AMG. This new generation brought 4matic 4-wheel drive, an AMG performance model, and the split of the coupé and the CL-Class.

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