Mercedes-Benz Ultra-Luxury Sedan · 300 SE/300 SEL

W112

Top-of-the-line fintail with air suspension.

Production
1961–1967
Built
9,875
Body
Sedan, coupé & cabriolet
Chassis
W112
Mercedes-Benz Ultra-Luxury Sedan (W112)

The W112 was the fintail range's engineering flagship — a short-run luxury saloon that borrowed Heckflosse styling but added the technology expected of a top-tier Mercedes-Benz.

The 300 SE arrived with fuel injection and, critically, air suspension — Mercedes-Benz's first series production use of the system — along with four-wheel disc brakes and an automatic gearbox option. A long-wheelbase 300 SE L followed for buyers who wanted fintail presence with limousine accommodation.

By the end of 1967, 9,875 W112 saloons, coupés, and cabriolets had been built.

W112 interior
Cabin details of the W112, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

8 model designations across 1961–1967 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W112.

MalliMallivuodetValmistettuAlustaMoottoriVaihteistoYhteensä
300 SE Sedan1962–196304.1961–12.1963112.014189.9845,202
300 SE Sedan1964–196501.1964–07.1965112.014189.986sisältyy yllä olevaan
300 SE LWB196303.1963–12.1963112.015189.9841,546
300 SE LWB1964–196501.1964–08.1965112.015189.986sisältyy yllä olevaan
300 SE Coupé196302.1962–12.1963112.021189.9852,419
300 SE Coupé1964–196701.1964–12.1967112.021189.987sisältyy yllä olevaan
300 SE Cabriolet196302.1962–12.1963112.023189.985708
300 SE Cabriolet1964–196701.1964–12.1967112.023189.987sisältyy yllä olevaan

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

W112 side profile
Studio profile of the W112 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

The powertrain, suspension and long-wheelbase developments of the air-sprung 300 SE fintail.

  1. 1961
    • The 300 SE debuted with air suspension and power-assisted steering as standard.
    • Four-wheel disc brakes and a dual-circuit hydraulic system were standard.
    • A 160 hp light-alloy M189 injection engine powered the new flagship.
    • Full-length side chrome and wheel-arch trim identified the W112 body.
  2. 1963
    • A 100 mm longer-wheelbase saloon joined the range.
    • The long-wheelbase body omitted the standard car’s C-pillar vent trim.
    • A four-speed manual transmission became available.
  3. 1964
    • Higher compression and a six-plunger injection pump raised output to 170 hp.
  4. 1965
    • Fintail saloon production ended as the W109 300 SEL succeeded it.
W112 rear three-quarter view
Rear three-quarter view of the W112.