Mercedes-Benz S-Class Generations: Through the Years

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was once said to be “engineered like no other car in the world” and as we look back through the years, it’s clear that’s true.

From a single idea, the Mercedes Benz S-Class, originally known as the Sonderklasse or Special Class, has grown into one of the most influential cars ever produced. Today, it hasn’t just survived, it’s thriving in its seventh generation. It’s only been able to accomplish such success because of an unflinching effort to constantly push the limits of what a car can do both inside and out. Today, we take a trip back in time to find out what made each S-Class so exceptional and how each built on the solid foundation of its predecessors.

First Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1972-1979)

1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class – netcarshow.com |  Shop Mercedes-Benz S-Class on Carsforsale.com

• The first Mercedes ever called the S-Class was unveiled in 1972 with the internal designation W116.
• Its design DNA dated back to the W111, W109, W108, and W180. Each were luxurious Mercedes sedans that ultimately led to the S-Class.
• It was the first vehicle to feature a crash-protected fuel tank.

• The 450SE featuring the larger motor won the European Car of the Year Award in 1974.
• The rare 450SEL features a hydropneumatic suspension.
• Mercedes also employed the first enhanced passenger cell with crumple zones.

• In 1978, the S-Class arrived on sale as the first car with anti-lock braking.
• Two main engines, a 3.5-liter V8 and a 6.9-liter V8 were put to use in the S-Class, but others like a turbo-diesel inline-5 and a 4.5-liter V8 also made appearances.
• Regardless of engine choice, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class delivered remarkable handling and ride comfort.

Second Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1979-1991)

• Internally known as the W126, this Mercedes-Benz S-Class quickly built on the foundation of the previous generation.
• In 1981, the S-Class won the Car of the Year award.
• An all-new Coupe version of the S-Class arrives on sale for the 1982 model year.

• The S-Class sedan is available in both standard and long-wheelbase versions that add just shy of six more inches of total length.
• No less than 11 different engines were used in this S-Class during its long production run.
• The USA market was most fond of the inline-6-cylinder engine, but a 3.8-liter V8 was also available.

• The V8 was so poorly accepted thanks to timing chain issues and a lack of power that Mercedes quickly replaced it with a 5.0-liter V8 in 1984.
• In 1985, Mercedes added a diesel 6-cylinder engine to the lineup for North America.
• Mercedes continues its pursuit of safety by adding a driver’s airbag and seat belt pre-tensioners to the S-Class.

Third Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1991-1998)

• Now in its third generation, this Mercedes-Benz S-Class was internally designated W140 or C140 depending on whether it was a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan.
• It was ahead of its time with wild features only found on modern cars, like self-closing doors, rear parking markers, and an advanced handling control system.

• The ECU made changes in real-time to traction control based on what feedback it was receiving from the brake and suspension sensors around the car.
• This generation marks the first time that a Mercedes-Benz S-Class is available with a V12.
• That 6.0-liter V12 engine made roughly 400 horsepower and was a direct answer to the BMW 750iL.

• It’s also the very last Mercedes-Benz S-Class that could be bought from the factory with a manual transmission.
• Mercedes continued to add creature comforts in the form of double-paned glass that kept the cabin quieter and a heating system that would continue to use warm air from the engine to heat the cabin even after the car was turned off.
• There was even an option to get a powered rearview mirror… for when reaching up to it and positioning it with your own hand was just too uncouth.

Fourth Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1998-2005)

• Mercedes moved into its fourth generation of the S-Class with a car designated the W220 and it was a major departure from tradition.
• Unlike every previous generation, this one more than any other is considered cheaper feeling inside than it should be.

• Built at a time when the company was focusing on technological excellence over material quality, the switches and surfaces of this S-Class are below average for a car costing this much.
• Nevertheless, there is a ton of cool technology inside this Mercedes-Benz S-Class including a sometimes troublesome Airmatic suspension.
• The W220 also features Pre-Safe, a system Mercedes uses to predict when an accident is imminent before it triggers protective measures like closing windows to keep drivers safer.

• Adaptive cruise control becomes available for the first time in a system Mercedes coins “Distronic”.
• No Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe arrived in this generation, but the SL55 and SL65 share some components with the sedan.
• The regular S-Class sedan could be had with a 500 horsepower engine, but it arrived in the form of a detuned version of the SL65s twin-turbo V12.

Fifth Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2005-2013)

• Perhaps the largest recovery effort ever for an automotive manufacturer, the W221 S-Class all but single-handedly changed the public perception of Mercedes.
• It did so in part thanks to going back to its roots a bit. The car was larger again and similarly shaped to the W140.
• Under the hood of this Mercedes-Benz S-Class could be found one of many engines including a hybrid V6, a diesel V8, or a gas-burning V12.

• This was the second straight generation without a coupe version built on the S-Class chassis.
• Even today, later cars from this generation are well regarded as modern and well-equipped thanks to advanced technology and great power.
• One feature buyers loved in the S-Class was the infrared night vision camera that allowed drivers to see better at night via a video feed in the center control stack.
• Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control improved over the previous generation as well and could now bring the S-Class to a complete stop when necessary.

• The top-of-the-line V12 powered S600 made 604 horsepower.
• The S-Class could be equipped with heated and ventilated front massaging seats.
• Rear passengers had sunshades, an optional fridge, and individual entertainment screens.
• Full phone integration was included for the first time that could display information like text messages through the infotainment system.

Sixth Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2014-2020)

• As the sixth generation (W222) came into fruition, Mercedes started to closely develop the S-Class in unison with its upcoming 2015 Maybach counterpart.
• Gone was the Active Body Control suspension of previous generations in favor of a new technology called MBC or Magic Body Control.
• MBC uses the vehicle’s stereo camera to detect irregularities in the pavement and react to them before the car could otherwise.

• Luxury improvements to this S-Class include heated armrests and scent dispensers built into the cabin itself.
• The infotainment system leverages a user interface Mercedes calls Comand which provides both physical controls, voice controls, and touchscreen navigation.
• Both diesel engines as well as gas-powered V6s, V8s, and V12s continue to be available depending on the trim level of the S-Class.
• Despite the wide array of different engines, all of them transmit power through a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

• The return of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe comes in the form of the C217.
• It featured both a seven-speed gearbox as well as a nine-speed unit designed for the rear-wheel-drive coupe.
• The top trim S65 AMG produced 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque thanks to its 6.0-liter V12.
• This is the last generation with a coupe version of the S-Class as Mercedes has no current public plans to reintroduce it with the current seventh generation.

Seventh Generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2020-Present)

• Mercedes continues in hot pursuit of only the most advanced experience a person can have behind the wheel of its flagship (W223) S-Class sedan.
• No coupe will be built as Mercedes focuses more on the AMG GT and the upcoming SL roadster.
• Technology is packed into the Mercedes-Benz S-Class dimensions in a way not previously thought possible, including a seriously trick gauge cluster.
• When the driver looks at the cluster, the S-Class can sense that and switches the display from a normal 2D layout to a 3D layout until the driver looks away.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach – mbusa.com |  Shop Mercedes-Benz S-Class on Carsforsale.com

• While there isn’t a V12 available at the moment, an inline-6 and a twin-turbo V8 are available.
• The base inline-6 makes 429 horsepower while the bigger V8 builds 496 hp.
• It seems likely that the V12 will return with an upcoming AMG S-Class or under the hood of the Maybach S-Class.
• Mercedes will also introduce the EQS in 2022, a fully electric sedan somewhat intended to carry the torch of the S-Class into an all-electric future.

Related Review Articles

2024 Hyundai Venue Review

Read more

2024 Volkswagen Taos Review

Read more

2024 Kia Soul Review

Read more