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.

ModelloModel yearTelaioMotoreCambioTotale
380 SEC1981–1985126.043116.96311,267
420 SEC1986–1991126.046116.9653,680
500 SEC1981–1985126.044117.96330,184
500 SEC1986–1991126.044117.965incluso sopra
560 SEC1986–1991126.045117.96828,929

* Il dato di produzione pubblicato copre tutte le serie di quel modello; la fonte non lo scompone ulteriormente.

C126 side profile
Studio profile of the C126 — the proportions that defined this chassis.
C126 rear three-quarter view
Rear three-quarter view of the C126.

Engines.

The M116 as fitted to the C126.

M116

V8
  • 116.9633.8 L · 3,818 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hp a 5,500 giri/min

    299 N·m

    221 lb·ft a 4,000 giri/min

  • 116.9654.2 L · 4,196 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hp a 5,200 giri/min

    330 N·m

    243 lb·ft a 4,000 giri/min