The Mercedes-Benz W116 is a series of flagship luxury saloons produced from September 1972 to 1980. It was the first Mercedes-Benz model officially called S-Class and was chosen European Car of the Year in 1974.
Mercedes-Benz W116 at a glance
| Production | 1972–1980 |
|---|---|
| Role | first official S-Class |
| Engineering | shared with the W114/W115 but on a larger platform |
| Suspension | independent all round |
| Brakes | disc brakes on all four wheels |
| Design | Friedrich Geiger’s last design, finalised in December 1969 |
| First models | 280 S, 280 SE and 350 SE |
| Engines at launch | 2,746 cc six and 3,499 cc V8 |
| Long version | 280 SEL from 1973 |
| 4.5-litre V8 | 450 SE and 450 SEL from 1973 |
| Top engine | 6.8-litre V8 of 1975 |
| Award | European Car of the Year 1974 |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz W116.
History of the Mercedes-Benz W116
The W116 was the first S-Class to use the same engineering as the W114 and W115, but on a larger separate platform. It had independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. Development began in 1966, only a year after the W108 and W109 were launched, and the design was finalised in December 1969. It was the first Mercedes-Benz saloon with the brand-new corporate styling theme that lasted until 1997 and the end of the W140, a dramatic leap forward with an elegant and sporty character that continued the themes of the R107 SL, especially the front and rear lights and their ridged lamp covers. The W116 was Friedrich Geiger’s last design for Mercedes-Benz, a career that had begun with the 500K in 1933.
The car was presented in September 1972 with three models: the 280 S with a Solex carburettor and the 280 SE with Bosch D-Jetronic injection, both using the 2,746 cc straight six, and the 350 SE with the 3,499 cc M116 V8. After the oil crisis of 1973 a long-wheelbase 280 SEL was added.
The larger 4.5-litre M117 V8 was developed in answer to US emission rules and first fitted to the 350 SL and SLC for America in 1972, renamed 450 SL and 450 SLC in 1973. The 450 SE and 450 SEL followed for both American and international markets in 1973, with three-speed automatic gearboxes only, while the smaller 3.5-litre V8 could be had with a four-speed manual. The 4.5-litre cars had a plusher interior with velour or leather instead of the checkered cloth of lesser models, and the engine gave 225 PS in most markets, 190 hp in the United States and 200 PS in Sweden and Australia. The most notable addition came in 1975 with a 6.8-litre V8.
Design and features
- First S-Class: the model that made the name official.
- New styling: the corporate look that lasted until 1997.
- V8 power: from the 3.5 to the 6.8-litre engine.
- Plush 4.5 models: velour or leather interiors and standard automatic.
Mercedes-Benz W116 versions
- 280 S and 280 SE (1972): 2.7-litre six.
- 350 SE (1972): 3.5-litre V8.
- 280 SEL (1973): long-wheelbase six.
- 450 SE and 450 SEL (1973): 4.5-litre V8.
- 6.8-litre model (1975): the largest engine.
The W116 followed the W108 and W109 and preceded the W126; it is part of the S-Class line. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: 1979 W116 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 450 SE
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz W116, English Wikipedia: engineering, design, models, engines, award
