Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan · 1st generation S

W116

The first car officially named S-Class.

Production: 1972–1980
Built: 394,779
Body: Sedan
Chassis: W116

The W116 was the first Mercedes-Benz range officially named S-Class — a new flagship that traded fintail nostalgia for a sober, authoritative design and a clear statement of where the firm's top saloon was heading.

The model line ran from six-cylinder 280 S and 280 SE through V8 350 SE and 450 SE/SEL, with the 450 SEL 6.9 as the range-topping performance flagship and the 300 SD introducing turbocharged diesel luxury to the American market. Safety structure, anti-lock brakes on later cars, and refined ride quality set a template the S-Class has followed ever since.

Some 394,779 W116s were built between 1972 and 1980.

W116 interior — Cabin details of the W116, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

8 model designations across 1972–1980 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W116, including the long-wheelbase SEL versions.

Malli	Mallivuodet	Valmistettu	Alusta	Moottori	Vaihteisto	Yhteensä
280 S	1973–1980	09.1972–07.1980	116.020	110.922	722.100 · 722.102 · 722.111	122,848
280 SE	1973–1975	09.1972–02.1976	116.024	110.983	722.101	150,593
280 SE	1976–1980	02.1976–07.1980	116.024	110.985	722.101	sisältyy yllä olevaan
280 SEL	1974–1975	04.1974–02.1976	116.025	110.983	722.101 · 722.103 · 722.112	7,032
280 SEL	1976–1980	02.1976–05.1980	116.025	110.985	722.101 · 722.103 · 722.112	sisältyy yllä olevaan
300 SD	1978–1980	05.1978–09.1980	116.120	617.950	722.120	28,634
350 SE	1973–1975	08.1972–01.1976	116.028	116.983	722.002	51,100
350 SE	1976–1980	01.1976–09.1980	116.028	116.985	722.002	sisältyy yllä olevaan
350 SEL	1974–1975	08.1972–01.1976	116.029	116.983	722.002	4,266
350 SEL	1976–1980	01.1976–06.1980	116.029	116.985	722.002	sisältyy yllä olevaan
450 SE	1973–1975	12.1972–11.1975	116.032	117.983	722.001	41,604
450 SE	1976–1980	11.1975–04.1980	116.032	117.986	722.001	sisältyy yllä olevaan
450 SEL	1974–1975	02.1973–11.1975	116.033	117.983	722.001 · 722.004	59,578
450 SEL	1976–1980	11.1975–06.1980	116.033	117.986	722.001 · 722.004	sisältyy yllä olevaan
450 SEL 6.9	1976–1980	09.1975–05.1980	116.036	100.985	722.003	7,380

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

Studio profile of the W116 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

The engine, emissions and safety milestones of the first officially named S-Class.

1972
- The 280 S, 280 SE and 350 SE launched the first range officially called S-Class.
- A double-wishbone front suspension introduced zero steering offset and anti-dive geometry.
- The fuel tank moved above the rear axle for improved collision protection.
1973
- The 450 SE and long-wheelbase 450 SEL added the 4.5-liter M117 V8.
- The long-wheelbase 350 SEL joined the range in November.
1974
- The long-wheelbase 280 SEL joined the range in April.
1975
- The 450 SEL 6.9 introduced a 286 hp M100 V8.
- Hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension was standard on the 6.9.
1976
- Bosch K-Jetronic replaced D-Jetronic on injected European models.
- The injection change brought slight output reductions.
- The V8 engines gained breakerless transistor ignition and hydraulic valve-clearance compensation.
1978
- The North American 300 SD introduced the turbocharged OM617 five-cylinder diesel.
- European injected-engine output returned to earlier levels in April.
- Bosch anti-lock brakes became optional in December.
1980
- Production ended between April and September.
- The final W116 built was a 300 SD.

W116 rear three-quarter view — Rear three-quarter view of the W116.

Engines.

The M110, M116, M117, M100 and OM617 as fitted to the W116.

M110

Inline-6

110.922 2.7 L · 2,746 cc
160 PS
118 kW · 158 hv / 5,500 r/min
225 N·m
166 lb·ft / 4,000 r/min
110.983 2.7 L · 2,746 cc
185 PS
136 kW · 182 hv / 6,000 r/min
238 N·m
176 lb·ft / 4,500 r/min
110.985 2.7 L · 2,746 cc
185 PS
136 kW · 182 hv / 5,800 r/min
238 N·m
176 lb·ft / 4,500 r/min

M116

116.983 3.5 L · 3,499 cc
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hv / 5,800 r/min
286 N·m
211 lb·ft / 4,000 r/min
116.985 3.5 L · 3,499 cc
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hv / 5,800 r/min
286 N·m
211 lb·ft / 4,000 r/min

OM617

Inline-5 diesel

617.950 3.0 L · 3,005 cc
111 PS
82 kW · 109 hv / 4,200 r/min
228 N·m
168 lb·ft / 2,400 r/min

M117

117.983 4.5 L · 4,520 cc
225 PS
165 kW · 222 hv / 5,000 r/min
378 N·m
279 lb·ft / 3,000 r/min
117.986 4.5 L · 4,520 cc
217 PS
160 kW · 214 hv / 5,000 r/min
360 N·m
266 lb·ft / 3,250 r/min

M100

100.985 6.8 L · 6,834 cc
286 PS
210 kW · 282 hv / 4,250 r/min
550 N·m
405 lb·ft / 3,000 r/min