Mercedes-Benz Ultra-Luxury Sedan · 300

W189

The Adenauer Mercedes — W189 generation.

Production
1957–1962
Built
3,142
Body
Sedan & cabriolet
Chassis
W189
Mercedes-Benz Ultra-Luxury Sedan (W189)

The W189 300 d was the final evolution of the Adenauer Großer Mercedes line — a fuel-injected six-cylinder flagship that carried hand-built luxury into the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The 300 d adopted mechanical fuel injection from the 300 SL program, bringing a meaningful power and refinement gain to the formal saloon, cabriolet, and long-wheelbase bodies that had defined Mercedes-Benz state-car motoring since the W186. It was the last separate-frame Großer Mercedes before unitary construction took over the luxury range.

Built from 1957 to 1962, Mercedes-Benz produced 3,142 W189 cars. It closed the Adenauer chapter with the firm's most advanced six-cylinder technology — a dignified end to an era of formal, hand-finished flagship saloons.

W189 interior
Cabin details of the W189, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

7 model designations across 1957–1962 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W189.

ModelLata modelowePodwozieSilnikSkrzynia biegówRazem
300 d Sedan1958–1962189.010189.9813,074
300 d Sedan1958–1962189.011189.980uwzględnione powyżej
300 d Sedan1958–1962189.010189.981uwzględnione powyżej
300 d Sedan1958–1962189.011189.980uwzględnione powyżej
300 d Cabriolet1959–1962189.033189.98165
300 d Cabriolet1959–1962189.033189.980uwzględnione powyżej
300 d LWB1961189.010189.9803

* Opublikowana liczba produkcji obejmuje każdą serię tego modelu; źródło nie rozbija jej dalej.

W189 side profile
Studio profile of the W189 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

The equipment and body developments that made the fuel-injected 300 d the final Adenauer Mercedes.

  1. 1957
    • The 300 d replaced carburettors with intermittent inlet-manifold injection and produced 160 hp.
    • The Borg-Warner Detroit Gear automatic transmission became standard.
    • A 30-percent increase in glass area created the pillarless “full-sight” hardtop-saloon body.
    • Only the 3,150 mm long-wheelbase chassis was retained for regular production.
  2. 1958
    • ZF Saginaw power-assisted steering became optional in March on automatic-transmission cars.
    • The Cabriolet D returned to the range in December.
    • Behr air conditioning became optional in December.
  3. 1960
    • Three extended-wheelbase Pullman special bodies were completed.
    • A bespoke two-door estate served as a factory test-department measuring car.
  4. 1962
    • Production of the 300 d ended in March.
W189 rear three-quarter view
Rear three-quarter view of the W189.

Engines.

The M189 as fitted to the W189.

M189

Inline-6
  • 189.981 3.0 L · 2,996 cc

    162 PS

    119 kW · 160 KM przy 5,300 obr./min

    237 N·m

    175 lb·ft przy 4,200 obr./min

  • 189.980 3.0 L · 2,996 cc

    162 PS

    119 kW · 160 KM przy 5,300 obr./min

    237 N·m

    175 lb·ft przy 4,200 obr./min