Modern Classic: Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The many generations of the S-Class, starting with the 1954 model. Photos: Mercedes-Benz

In 24 hours Mercedes--Benz will release the seventh generation S-Class while the history of the “Sonderklasse” (German for “special class”) stretches back 38 years to the W116 first generation which debuted in 1972.

But the lineage of this great car can be further traced back to the W180 “Ponton of 1954. Today let’s go back to 1954 and have a quick journey to the present.

Pre S-Class

Bunching the predecessor models to the 1972 S-Class we have the W180/W128 “Ponton” from 1954, then the W111/112 “Fintail” from 1959 and the W108/109 from 1965.

The W180 Ponton (due to its unibody construction) kicked things off with six cylinder engines that carried through in sedan, coupe and convertible forms. It morphed into the W128 later in the 1950’s.

From here we went to the W111/122 Fintail (due to its tail fin) in 1959 which had 2.2- and 3-litre six cylinder engines. Later on, four cylinder engines were added under the W110 model guise.

The W108/109 models of 1965 were squarer and bigger. No four cyclinder options were available, but six cylinders were supplemented with a 3.5- V8, 4.3- V8 and a 6.3-litre V8. Long wheelbase models were also added known as the “SEL”.

W116 1972 First Generation

The true S-Class began in 1972 with the W116 and boy it still looks today 38 years later. The W116 was even larger than the W108/109, already a step up from Fintail, and cemented Mercedes Benz’s image as the maker of the large luxury sedan. With its 2.8-litre six, 3.5 litre V8, 4.5-litre V8 and amazing 6.8-litre V8, it launched many safety features now taken for granted such as rounded body parts to cause less pedestrian injuries, headrests that kept an occupant’s head more locked into place in an accident, padded door trim and later, an airbag.

W126 1980 Second Generation

Probably my favourite of the Benz S Classes, the W126 is a timeless design that, especially, during its mid cycle facelift, looks sharp and luxurious even in 2020. Heated seats, passenger airbags and climate control were goodies offered.

Six cylinder engines and eight cylinder engines prevailed with the best engines being the 3- V6, 4.2- V8 and 5.6-litre V8. Whereas Mercedes sold under 500,000 of the first generation, the second generation botched over 800,000 sales. An exciting edition was an “SEC” two door coupe with pillarless windows.

W140 1991 Third Generation

If the W126 was the high point of the S Class timeline, the W140 was the low point. Seemingly an “inflated” (dimensions wise) look of the then E-Class, the third generation only notched 432,000 sales. The W140 was a quarter more expensive than the W126 and far heavier with features like double glazed windows, a self closing boot and novel “sticks” which popped up from the boot to guide parking. It was also longer.

It was criticised for being “too big” and mid cycle even had a facelift which aimed to trick the eyes into it looking smaller. It also introduced the 600SEL with a 6-litre V12 and spawned a coupe version, like the second generation.

W220 1999 Fourth Generation

Responding to the criticism of the W140, the W220 was smaller but offered more interior space. The W220 sold in similar numbers to the third generation, at 485,000 units, mainly due to the burgeoning mid class luxury sector that was in full steam in the early 2000s.

The W220 was an attractive car with many technology additions but it suffered in build quality compared to the third generation (which is largely seen as the high water mark of Benz quality).

The V12 continued on and an S63 with a 6.5-litre V8 also appeared. Highly desired is also the S65 which rocked a 450kW 6-litre twin turbo V12 which made it the world’s fastest production sedan. Gone was the coupe!

2006 Fifth Generation W221

The W221 went back more towards the size of the larger W140 third generation but introduced more powerful base engines including a hybrid 3.5-litre known as the “Blue Efficiency”. At the top end of town the V12 lived off and put our 463kW in S65 form. Radar cruise control, Brake Assist, bi-xenon headlights and night vision were technological additions. It’s “taxi butt” style rear boot attracted criticism but the W221 was otherwise relatively uneventful.

2014 W222 Six Generation

The W222 brought back the badly needed glamour to the S-Class, after the relatively forgetful W221. The S-Class Coupe from the second and third generations made a comeback. For the first time the S-Class also had a convertible. The interior was significantly more upmarket and included a head up instrument display, gesture control for key functions, Magic Ride Control (which could pre-empt the car’s body for bumps ahead). A plug-in hybrid S500 was introduced and the V12s survived another day.

2020 W223 Seventh Generation

Tomorrow the S-Class story rounds out with possibly its most important model, the W223. Incoming to an era of rapid change in consumer tastes and buying behaviour, plus rapid technological advancement, the S-Class must fight to remain relevant. It will also “fight” against Benz’ risk management strategy of an all electric “EQS” luxury sedan. Many say the W223 could be the last S-Class. Or could it be that the DNA of the S Class and EQS blend into the ultimate eight generation cocktail. I love the future!