The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, formerly known as "special class" (, abbreviated as "S-Klasse"), is a series of full-sized luxury sedans and coupés produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The S-Class is the designation for top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models and was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116, and has remained in use ever since. The S-Class is the flagship vehicle for Mercedes-Benz, being positioned above the other Mercedes-Benz models.
The S-Class has debuted many of the company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, interior features, and safety systems (such as the first seatbelt pretensioners). The S-Class has ranked as the world's best-selling luxury sedan. In automotive terms, Sonderklasse refers to "a specially outfitted car." Although used colloquially for decades, following its official application in 1972, six generations of officially named S-Klasse sedans have been produced.
In 1981, the two-door, four-seat S-Class, designated as SEC, was introduced, sharing the petrol V8 engines with its four-door version, W126. After the introduction of a new nomenclature scheme, SEC was simply renamed as S-Class Coupé. For the 1996 model year, the coupé was separated from the S-Class line and named as new CL-Class (in line with other two-door models: CLK, SL, and SLK); however, the CL-Class was reintegrated into the S-Class model line (same with CLK becoming E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet). The first-ever S-Class convertible since 1972, internally named A217, was introduced and became a one-generation model only. After the end of W222 production in 2020, the successors to the C217 coupé and A217 convertible are not planned, citing the low demand for those models and stronger demand for SUV models.
__TOC__
History
Pre-World War II Mercedes-Benz followed a nomenclature scheme by which each model would have its own numeric code, tied to the displacement of its engine. The logic was that the bigger the displacement, the more prestigious the car will be. This overall scheme was kept in the postwar time, however as the tooling and production facilities were much more limited, Mercedes-Benz adopted a more practical approach of using the "S" suffix to denote a model that was "Special" or Sonder in German. The figurative use of the word in commerce is to denote a product that is more upmarket than the parent version.
Early usage of the S suffix was applied liberally, for example the 1949-51 170S denoted a W136 car with a more modern chassis and larger body in both sedan can cabriolet types, as opposed to the regular W136 170V and 170D. After 1951, the 170S became the W191 chassis code, as a sedan in petrol and 170DS diesel version. In 1953 a hybrid 170S-D and 170S-V became the discount models in the marque's lineup until 1955. This illustrates a how flagship model will make the transition to an entry model in space of just four years. Elsewhere the S could be applied to denote a separate bodystyle, like the top range two door W188 300S opposed to the W186 300 limousine. In other times it would be applied to differentiate a facelifted model, as was the case with the W180 220 gaining the S suffix in 1986.
A more or less consisted application came about in the 1968 upon the launch of the /8 series, when the S-labelled cars now had their own bodies, chassis and powertrains. This was formalised in 1972 when Mercedes-Benz officially branded its premiere range as the Sonderklasse that included the new W116 sedans and the W107 two door coupes and roadsters. Whilst over the following two decades, the S-Class became an established brand, the nomenclature continued to come under increasing pressure in the 1980s in the unnamed 'standard' range which not only included the predecessors of the E-class, but also the compact W201 sedan, restricted to just the 190 series from 1982 and the W463 off-road G-wagen that began to be sold through regular Mercedes-Benz dealers in 1989. (As opposed to the commercially sold W460 and W461). The belonging of the SL roadster in the S-Class was also questionable, particularly after the launch of the R129 model, which shared many chassis elements with the standard range W124.
The launch of the W201 successor, the W202 in spring of 1993 ultimately forced Mercedes-Benz to completely review the branding of its cars. The W202, unlike the W201, which envisioned to appeal to the younger generation, had more restrained contours to be marketed as a compact sedan, with a range of engines. For this a third, entry level, Compact, or C-Class was created, and to avoid confusion with the existing nomenclature, where C suffix denoted a Coupe body, a prefix was used instead, e.g. C 220. The clientele took the notion well, and in summer of 1993 Mercedes-Benz had the rest of the products undergo a major re-branding into set classes, which were de-facto already in existence: the G-Class, the SL-Class and the newly created E-Class, where the E prefix, was taken for the most commonly used Einspritz, or fuel injection models. (Mercedes Benz withdrew the last carburettors three years prior).
For the W140 S-Class in production this was limited to a formal re-badging, where attributes such as the fuel system, wheelbase and body style were abandoned. Extra information was sometimes affixed to the right-hand side of boot/trunk, denoting the diesel version (TURBODIESEL or later CDI), hybrid version (HYBRID), all-wheel-drive version (4MATIC), AMG or MAYBACH model. The second revision in 2015 allows the suffixes such as d (diesel), e (plug-in hybrid), and the h (mild hybrid) for several years before h was dropped. For 2018 model year, the model designation AMG and MAYBACH labels switched their position to the left.
The two door version was split off into its own CL-class in 1996 in an attempt to create two parallel triumvirates consisting of the S-Class sedans, SL-roadsters and SLK compact roadsters on one side, and the C-compact sedans, CL luxury coupes and CLK compact coupes/cabriolets, also released in 1996. However both the CL and CLK were respectively reverted into the S-Class and E-class in 2017 and 2009 respectively.
{| class="wikitable floatleft" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Chassis
!Type
!Debut
|-
|W180||"Ponton" ||1954
|-
|W189||"Adenauer"||1957 Produced from 1972 through 1980, the W116 series featured four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes. The 280, 350, and 450 (4.5L version) models featured SE and SEL versions. Production of the W116 totaled 473,035 units. This was a groundbreaking sedan for Mercedes-Benz, and for the first time in the company history, the car had an obvious, blatant and outward emphasis on safety placed above a pure styling viewpoint. The overall design incorporated numerous safety features developed from the "safety research vehicles" in the mid-to-late 1960s to the very early 1970s.
These safety features were all newly introduced passenger-car "firsts" on a production vehicle: padded door trim around the windows, heavily padded steering wheel (later to be replaced by an airbag with the Mercedes-Benz abbreviation of SRS standing for the English-language term Supplemental Restraint System), more comprehensive safety padding on the dashboard and around the interior, dual asymmetric windshield wipers, headrests with a center depression to locate the occupant's head in a more central position during a rear impact, a rain-water management system to improve visibility consisting of deep channels on both sides of the windshield and flowing into deeply channeled rain gutters, including similar designs on the side mirrors, rounded body shapes along the edges, such as the tops of the front fenders, etc., designed to ameliorate pedestrian injuries, ribbed rear taillamp lenses which would remain clearer of dirt on the recessed areas, an easy-to-access first aid kit stowed in a recessed compartment on the rear parcel shelf prominently labeled with the universally recognized "cross" symbol which represents "first aid", and several other subtle safety features related to both active and passive safety. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a classic chauffeur driven car, and has frequently been used as standard by car hire companies. It is comfortable and safe as well as elegant looking; ideal for drives across the countryside or high class transport on a night out.
The W116 models were large luxury sedans. The W116 was larger on the outside than the W108/W108/W109 series it replaced, but had similar interior capacity, as the additional bulk was driven by several new and aforementioned engineering developments on car safety and occupant protection in a crash. The W116 introduced other improved passive safety features into the vehicle design, including a strengthened vehicle occupant shell. It was one of the first cars to be available with ABS, a driver's airbag supplemental restraint system (but not available at the vehicle's initial launch). Also, the W116 was the first mass production passenger vehicle offered with a turbocharged diesel engine.
The 450SE, then the most powerful model in the W116 lineup, was awarded European Car of the Year in 1974. At the New England Auto Show in 1972 held in the fall season in Boston, the Monroney Label of a 1973 450SE was right at $13,000. 1973 was the first model year of the W116 for the US market. Starting in 1975, the W116 was upgraded with a new fuel injection system to comply with revised exhaust emission standards in European markets. A slight power reduction was a result of this update, but in 1978, a series of further engine upgrades restored original performance levels under the new fuel injection systems. Between 1973 and 1977, 997 Special Edition W116 models were made on order by Mercedes. These cars incorporated stronger body paneling and suspension and was 50 kg heavier than its normal counterpart.
thumb|left|Large boxy rear lights of the 1970s W116, the first official "S-Class"
Engines
With the W116 models, the V8-engines of the 350/450 SE/SEL models were now regular options. Due to the oil crisis, fuel efficiency was a major concern for engineers, yet they still added the high-performance, limited-production 450 SEL 6.9. This 8-cylinder model, affectionately referred to as simply "the 6.9", boasted the largest engine installed in a postwar Mercedes-Benz up to that time. Every 450 SEL 6.9 featured a self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, and offered the ABS anti-lock braking system as an option from 1978 onwards. In the United States and Canada only, Mercedes-Benz introduced the economical but powerful 3.0-litre 5-cylinder turbo-diesel OM 617 A producing in 1978, sold as the 300SD.
Second generation (W126/C126; 1979)
thumb|left|Mercedes-Benz 380 SE short wheelbase
left|thumb|Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL long wheelbase
The W126 series premiered in September 1979, launching in March 1980 as a 1980 model and late 1980 as a 1981 model in the US and Australia replacing the W116 line. The W126 line featured improved aerodynamics and enlarged aluminum engine blocks. In Australia in 1981, the W126 S-Class won Wheels magazine's Car of the Year award. The W126 was manufactured from 1979 through 1991 with a mid-cycle update. Coupé models based on the S-Class were reintroduced with the W126 (380/500 SEC). Total sales of the W126 S-Class sedans reached 818,036 units, with an additional 74,060 coupes sold.
In December 1980, the W126 introduced a driver side airbag, as patented by Mercedes-Benz in 1971, as well as passenger side airbags (in 1988), seat-belt pretensioners, and traction control. It was the first production car to feature an airbag standard, and as late as 1991 there were only a few other manufacturers in Europe who offered an airbag. The interior featured additional courtesy and reading lamps, along with heated seats and a more advanced climate control system. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard.
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. A new cruise control system was offered as well. Succeeding the roadster based coupes, the W126 introduced a two-door variant, the SEC coupé. The W126 S-Class received a mid-cycle update in 1985 that included both exterior modifications and engine upgrades.
Engines
The power plants on the W126 S-Class included straight-6 and V8 engines. Most sales came from the diesel model in Europe and straight-six models in the United States, although the V8 models were praised by contemporary journalists. The US initially received only the smaller of the two V8 engines, the 3.8 litre, which turned out to be a disaster, both due to timing chain repair issues, and to being severely underpowered, with 0- acceleration in a leisurely 11 seconds and a modest top speed of . The 5.0 litre engine was far more capable, with 0- acceleration in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of . During the W126 mid-cycle update in 1986, both the straight-6 and V8 engines were upgraded in several models to different displacement levels (six-cylinder upgraded from 2.8 L to 3.0 L, eight-cylinder upgraded from 3.8 L to 4.2 L, and 5.0 L to 5.6 L).
Third generation (W140/C140; 1991)
thumbnail|left|Mercedes-Benz S 420 short wheelbase
thumb|left|Mercedes-Benz S 500 long wheelbase
In 1991, the W140 series replaced the W126 line with the first production model assembled in April of that year. The W140 grew in proportions and featured two wheelbase lengths and a shorter-wheelbase W140 coupé. Production totalled 432,732 units.
The W140 cost 25% more than the W126 that it replaced and featured double-pane window glazing, self-closing boot lid and doors, electric windows with a jam-protection feature (lowering when encountering an obstruction), rear-parking markers in the US (which appeared on the rear wings when in reverse), and a heating system which emitted warm air while residual energy was available after the engine was turned off.
In 1993, Mercedes-Benz model nomenclature was rationalized, with the SE/SEL/SEC cars becoming the S-Class and alphanumerical designations inverted (e.g. both the 500SE and 500SEL became S500 regardless of wheelbase length). In 1995, the W140 received a minor face lift featuring clear turn signal indicator lenses on the front and rear as well as headlamps fitted with separate low- and high-beam reflectors for the US market. Following the mid-year face lift, the W140 coupe and sedan (Saloon) featured Electronic Stability Control. The W140 is heavily referred to or nicknamed as the "虎头奔" in China and the Mercedes "Shabah/شبح" (Meaning "ghost" when translated) in many Middle Eastern countries.
Fourth generation (W220; 1998)
thumb|left|Mercedes-Benz S 320 short wheelbase (Australia)
thumb|left|Mercedes-Benz S 600 long wheelbase (Europe)
Mercedes-Benz presented the W220 in July 1998, marketed as a sedan, only. Despite being smaller than the previous generation, the W220 offered more interior space. Production of the W220 totaled 485,000 units.
The W220 introduced air suspension, marketed as Airmatic, as well as a navigation system with center console-mounted screen display, along with its input control system, marketed as COMAND. Other options included keyless entry and ignition, a radar-controlled cruise control system marketed as Distronic and a cylinder shut-off system marketed as Active Cylinder Control. The all-wheel drive system was introduced to the North America market S-Class for 2003, and marketed as 4MATIC.
Consumer Reports classified the W220 model's reliability as "poor," its lowest rating, and called it one of the "least reliable luxury cars;" Edmunds gave the S-Class a 5 out of 5 reliability rating; and MSN Autos gave a rating of 9.0 out of 10. By March 2011, Consumer Reports revised its reliability ratings for the 2001 and 2002 S-Class to "average". Forbes described the W220 S500 as "built remarkably well." Early W220s in 1999 were recalled for issues with the trunk spring and the hydraulic fuel line; there were no recalls for the 2005 or 2006 model years.
In 2002, Mercedes-Benz introduced the world's first preemptive safety system on the W220 with a system marketed as Pre-Safe. The W220 received an exterior refresh with updates to the front fascia. The grille angle was adjusted to a slightly more upright position, and the xenon-discharge headlamps were given a new transparent housing, replacing the earlier opaque versions. The front bumper's lower air intakes were also restyled. In 2005, the S-Class was the first vehicle to receive a TÜV Institute environmental certificate from the German Commission on Technical Compliance for environmentally friendly components.
left|thumb|Introduced in 2003, the S 65 AMG offered the most powerful engine ever available in the S-Class.
Engines
The W220 was available with more engine options than the W126 or W140. The range started with smaller 2.8 (Singapore) then 3.2L V6 motor, which was superseded by an enlarged 3.7 L V6 in the S350. The S430 was powered by a 4.3 L V8 and the S500 was powered by a 5.0 L V8. The S55 AMG was outfitted with a supercharged 5.4 L V8 motor, the S55 AMG 2000/2001 was outfitted with the naturally aspirated 5.4 L V8 motor. The S600 was outfitted with a 5.5 L M275 V12 biturbo engine, the S600 2000/2001 was outfitted with the naturally aspirated M137 5.8 L V12 engine.
In 2001, Mercedes produced a very rare S 63 AMG with a 5 speed automatic transmission and a modified version of the M137 V12 engine (displacement went up from 5.8 to 6.3 litres, 6258 cc) making at 5,500 RPM, and of torque at 4000 RPM. 70 examples were manufactured and marketed in Europe and Asia.
In 2003, Mercedes debuted the S 65 AMG, powered by a bi-turbocharged M275 AMG V12 engine and a 5 speed automatic transmission, it produced at 5100 RPM, and of torque at 4000 RPM. Acceleration from 0 to was officially rated at 4.4 seconds (0 to in 4.2 seconds), the car was limited to .
Fifth generation (W221/C216; 2005)
thumbnail|left|Mercedes-Benz S 550 short wheelbase (Japan)
thumb|left|Mercedes-Benz S 350 4MATIC long wheelbase (Europe)
The W221 was introduced in the autumn of 2005 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, with sales starting in autumn of 2005 and export to other markets beginning in 2006. Again there was a big change in design. The W221 S-Class made its North American premiere at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, and it features three newly developed engines with up to 26% power increase. The interior is completely new, all materials have been upgraded and make for a more luxurious ride, and the center console transmission gear lever has been replaced with a column-mounted shifter. New technological features on the W221 include an infrared Night View Assist feature and the latest Mercedes-Benz pre-collision system. The W221 features sharper exterior styling (most notably wide fender arcs) and technological improvements. The W221 is the second consecutive generation of the S-Class to be solely produced in a sedan body style.
Models sold in North America are the S450 (2008– , SWB and Canada only), S400 Hybrid (2010– ), S350 Bluetec 4MATIC (2012– ), S550, S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG; other models to be sold outside North America include the S280, S350, S300, S420 CDI and S320 CDI. The first W221 model released in North America and Japan was the S550 (called S500 outside North America), with the S600 arriving in the following spring.
In the US for the 2010 model year, the S-Class received a facelift across the entire model line in mid-2009, with a new S400 Hybrid version. Daytime LED running lights were fitted to the outer edges of the bi-xenon lamp units. The rear end was accented with a total of 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two taillights. Gone are the body-coloured strips through the tail lamps. Other noticeable changes at the front of the car are a more pronounced arrow-shaped grille, a new front bumper with a light-catching contour, and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes. New, sleeker rear-view door mirrors with LED turn signals were also added. The exhaust tailpipes of all S-Class variants were visibly integrated into the rear bumper. The wheels were updated to more modern-style ones. Safety is also improved on most Mercedes-Benz models with the orange-coloured light reflectors mounted on the sides of the bumpers. The C-Class look at the front is removed. Some shiny chrome is added to the bottom of the doors and bumper.
The S550 can accelerate from 0– in 5.4 seconds. Despite weighing , the S65 AMG completes in 4.2 seconds. The S600 makes the same sprint in about 4.6 seconds.
thumb|left|2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid (Germany)
The brakes continue to become more advanced with the new Brake Assist Plus system monitoring for an impending collision and increasing braking if needed, while the Distronic Plus radar-guided cruise control can now bring the car to a complete stop. This system works in outdoor conditions; a test demonstration by Mercedes-Benz in a crash-test hall resulted in embarrassment for the company when a new S-Class crashed into the back of a stationary W220 S-Class. This incident was later attributed to the radar system malfunctioning inside the radar-reflective (i.e. radar-confusing) steel test building where the event was filmed.
Upscale department store Saks Fifth Avenue offered 20 special-edition S600 sedans for sale in its 2005 Christmas catalog. All 20 cars, priced at US$145,000 each, were sold on November 22, 2005, in under seven minutes. The Saks-edition S600 sedans were finished in a mocha black exterior with an almond beige interior and were the first examples of the S600 to be sold to private owners. The S600s came with nearly every option standard. In 2007, Automobile Magazine named the W221 S-Class as one of its 2007 "All-Stars" over rivals from Lexus and BMW, and Car and Driver selected the S550 as the winner in a five-way comparison test of flagship luxury sedans, as did Motor Trend Magazine in July 2009 in a three-way comparison test, with the other two competitors being the BMW 750Li, and Audi A8L 4.2 Quattro. The W221 S-Class was also the recipient of several other motoring awards (see following).