Peerless Lineage
Tracing the Evolution of the S-Class

Article Gary Anderson
Photography Daimler Archives
 
From the first Mercedes Simplex 60hp in 1904 and Benz 24/40 in 1907, Mercedes-Benz has maintained a tradition of offering the most luxurious and comfortable automobiles available from any manufacturer. The tradition was exemplified by this selection of models produced between the world wars and then re-established in 1952 with the 300. By 1956, the top-of-the-line models were designated with the letter “S” in their names, and then with the W116 in 1972, the “S-Class” became a model series in its own right. With the introduction of the W222 model series for 2014, the tradition is proudly carried on, as always characterized by the highest possible achievements in safety, convenience and luxury.
 
The Benz 24/40 hp and the Mercedes Simplex in the first decade of the 20th century established the two companies, which would eventually merge, as producers of the finest production automobiles money could buy. Today the W222 S-Class introduces Intelligent Drive to the lexicon of expectations that Mercedes-Benz intends to surpass in safety as well as luxury.
 


1903 Mercedes Simplex 60 HP
The Mercedes Simplex established the company as a producer of the finest production automobiles money could buy.




1907 Benz 24/40 Landaulet
The 24/40 hp Benz landaulet stands in the long tradition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which dates back to the start of the 20th century. Since that time, the product line of the brands Mercedes and Benz – from 1926 Mercedes-Benz – has always comprised outstanding premium- and luxury-class models. They represent innovative, visionary automotive technology, generating the driving force for entire automotive development.

The 24/40 hp model, available in both chain-drive and shaft-drive system, was produced at Benz in the first decade of the last century as part of a whole series of newly developed products with 28, 35, 40 and 45 hp (21, 26, 29 and 33 kW) engines. They all featured a variety of technical features: they all had a four-cylinder engine with cylinders cast together in pairs. The laterally positioned camshaft was driven via spur gears. Two spark plugs per cylinder drew their current via magneto ignition. The four-speed transmission was operated via a sliding shift mechanism.

As was usual for that period, different body variants were available – hence also a landaulet version. The driver was left to sit out in the open, with little protection, while in inclement weather the ladies and gentlemen were able to sit beneath a well-upholstered folding roof. The vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection was originally delivered to the south of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it remained in service until 1966.



1928-1933 Nürburg (W08)
Introduced in 1928 and named for the new Nürburgring racing circuit, where a test model covered 20,000km in 13 days, the W08 was the first Mercedes-Benz with an 8-cylinder engine. Shown here is the elegant and luxurious Nürburg 500 Pullman saloon, a very popular model available from 1934 to 1939.
 

1930-1938 770 Grosser (W07)
The 770 “Grand Mercedes” was designed to be the ultimate in automotive engineering, a  prestige saloon for the most discerning clientele. The automobile was fitted with a powerful 8-cylinder supercharged engine, and beyond that, the production facility at Sindelfingen could accommodate every customer wish.

1951-1962 300 (W186/W189)
Now known familiarly as the “Adenauer” for its most famous passenger, the 300 was launched at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1951. It would be produced as a custom limousine in closed, partially open and open styles for 10 years. Exquisite two-door coupes and cabriolets would share many of the limo’s components.

1954-1959 220a Ponton (W180/W128)
The W180, produced in a variety of models from 1954, was the among the first cars in the world with a full unibody chassis, and was most often referred to as the “Ponton” for the flotation-tank shape of the fenders. The upscale 220 was the most luxurious production car made by Mercedes-Benz during the period.
 

1959-1965 220/300 (W111/W112)
The W111 and variant W112 in their sedan body style are still referred to as “finbacks” or “fintails” due to the distinctive shape of the back fenders. Produced at various price levels, the luxury versions shared with their less-expensive siblings the crumple-zone safety body pioneered by Béla Barényi.
 

1963-1981 600 (W100)
Overlapping the W111 in production, the 600 was the undisputed flagship sedan of the Mercedes-Benz fleet. With its 6.3-liter V-8 engine, it was capable of superlative performance, and affluent customers could even order the car in a 7- or 8-passenger version suitable for ferrying popes and heads of state.

1965-1972 250S-300SEL 6.3 (W108/W109)
Carrying over the high-powered 6.3-liter V-8, these full-size sedans used the same size body as the previous W111/112s, but were powered by the 6.3-liter engine originally designed for the 600s. With elegant, well-balanced lines and exceptional ride quality, they were equipped with the best in luxury appointments.

1972-1980 W116 S-Class (shown 450SEL 6.9)
Closely following the W109 luxury sedans with the same elegant, timeless styling, the W116 was the first  chassis series to carry the “S-Class” appellation. In addition to its obvious luxury characteristics, the W116 was known for its new safety systems, such as antilock brakes,  as well as innovative details.

1979-1991 W126 S-Class (shown 500SEL)
The next series in the S-Class succession was the W126, with more aerodynamic styling, as well as new light-alloy V-8 engines. Driver airbags, a radical innovation and initially combined with a pyrotechnic belt tightener, were added in 1981 and front passenger airbags in 1988.
 

1991-1998 S-Class (W140)
The W140 continued the convention that the S-Class would be the flagship of the line, with engineers focusing their attention on both maximum comfort and the introduction of new safety innovations. In 1995, the W140 was the first Mercedes with Electronic Stability Control, now standard on most automobiles.

1998-2005 S-Class (W220)
With the W220, Mercedes stylists completed the evolution from traditional squared-off elegance to modern coupe-like lines. The S-Class offered new safety innovations including Pre-Safe anticipatory occupant protection system as well as the optional 4Matic to guarantee optimum traction in all conditions.

2005-2013 S-Class (W221)
A multiplicity of assistance systems, including the new and improved Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control and Brake Assist Plus, another step toward accident-free motoring. In addition, the S400H in the lineup was among the first luxury hybrids as well as the first series-produced car using a lithium-ion battery.



2014 S-Class (W222)
2014 W222 S-Class is the latest in the top-of-the-line luxury cars produced by Mercedes-Benz and introduces Intelligent Drive to the automotive lexicon of expectations that Mercedes intends to surpass in safety as well as luxury.