Museum & History

  • Mercedes-Benz S-Class (116 model series) (1972 - 1980).

In 1972, the luxury-class saloons with which Mercedes-Benz had been setting automotive standards for a number of decades were given their own name.

The new 116-series S-Class was characterized by a comprehensive safety concept with numerous detail innovations. In 1978, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class became the world’s first seriesproduced vehicle to be equipped with the ABS anti-lock braking system, which was designed to maintain vehicle steerability even under emergency braking conditions. A global sensation at the time, ABS is now standard equipment throughout the automotive industry.

Highlights.

  • First official use of the "S-Class" designation
  • Integral safety concept (four-spoke safety steering wheel, tank positioned above rear axle to protect it from collisions, safety door handles, generously sized headlamps and turn signal lamps, dirt-deflecting tail lights, dirt-deflecting side windows)
  • ABS (anti-lock braking system) available as an optional extra (from 1978)
  • Cruise control available as an optional extra (from 1975)
  • Double-wishbone front suspension
  • Coupled-link axle with anti-squat control (450 SE, 450 SEL, 450 SEL 6.9)
  • Automatic transmission with torque converter available as an optional extra (standard on 450 SE, 450 SEL, 450 SEL 6.9)
  • Self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension (450 SEL 6.9, from 1975)
  • First luxury class saloon with a diesel engine, first series production passenger car with a turbo-diesel engine (300 SD, from 1978)
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