Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé (C126) · SEC

C126

The grand coupé companion to the W126 S-Class.

Production
1981–1991
Built
74,060
Body
Coupé
Chassis
C126
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé (C126) (C126)

In an era when the S-Class sedan defined executive motoring, the C126 SEC stood apart — longer, lower, and wide-shouldered, a pillarless coupé that looked like it was doing 200 km/h even standing still in a Stuttgart car park.

Mercedes-Benz launched the C126 S-Class Coupé in 1981 as the SEC — S-Klasse, Einspritzung, Coupé — riding on the W126 platform with frameless side glass and a range of engines from the 3.8-liter V8 through the legendary 5.6-liter V8 that powered the 560 SEC. The SEC combined W126 safety and refinement with a silhouette that influenced Mercedes-Benz design language for a generation; inside, leather, wood, and a commanding driving position left no doubt about the car's rank.

Built from 1981 to 1991, the C126 SEC outlasted the W126 sedan and remains the most collectible mainstream S-Class of the 1980s — a grand coupé whose proportions and presence have never quite been equalled by its successors.

C126 interior
Cabin details of the C126, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

5 model designations across 1981–1991 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the C126.

MalliMallivuodetValmistettuAlustaMoottoriVaihteistoYhteensä
380 SEC1981–198510.1981–09.1985126.043116.96311,267
420 SEC1986–199110.1985–10.1991126.046116.9653,680
500 SEC1981–198510.1981–09.1985126.044117.96330,184
500 SEC1986–199109.1985–09.1991126.044117.965sisältyy yllä olevaan
560 SEC1986–199110.1985–10.1991126.045117.96828,929

* Julkaistu tuotantoluku kattaa kyseisen mallin kaikki sarjat; lähde ei erittele sitä tarkemmin.

C126 side profile
Studio profile of the C126 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

The engine revisions, safety equipment and exterior details that distinguish the two C126 series.

  1. 1981
    • The 380 SEC and 500 SEC debuted at the Frankfurt motor show.
    • The pillarless coupé used a wheelbase 85 mm shorter than the W126 saloon.
    • The Energy Concept revision recalibrated both V8 engines for lower consumption and stronger low-speed torque.
  2. 1985
    • The September facelift brought reshaped bumpers, deeper side skirts and 15-inch wheels.
    • The 420 SEC replaced the 380 SEC with the enlarged M116 V8.
    • The 560 SEC joined as the new flagship with the long-stroke M117 V8.
    • The 500 SEC adopted Bosch KE-Jetronic injection and electronic ignition.
  3. 1987
    • Higher-compression V8 engines increased output across the 420, 500 and 560 SEC range.
    • A front-passenger airbag became available in place of the glovebox.
  4. 1991
    • C126 production ended in September and October after 74,060 coupés.
C126 rear three-quarter view
Rear three-quarter view of the C126.

Engines.

The M116 and M117 as fitted to the C126.

M116

V8
  • 116.963 3.8 L · 3,818 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hv / 5,500 r/min

    299 N·m

    221 lb·ft / 4,000 r/min

  • 116.965 4.2 L · 4,196 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hv / 5,200 r/min

    330 N·m

    243 lb·ft / 4,000 r/min

M117

V8
  • 117.963 5.0 L · 4,973 cc

    231 PS

    170 kW · 228 hv / 4,750 r/min

    405 N·m

    299 lb·ft / 3,000 r/min

  • 117.965 5.0 L · 4,973 cc

    245 PS

    180 kW · 242 hv / 4,750 r/min

    400 N·m

    295 lb·ft / 3,750 r/min

  • 117.968 5.5 L · 5,547 cc

    272 PS

    200 kW · 268 hv / 5,000 r/min

    430 N·m

    317 lb·ft / 3,750 r/min