The history of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class literally goes back to the very first gasoline-powered automobile ever made. And what today's flagship S-Class has in common with Karl Benz's 1886 Patent Motor Car is an unyielding commitment to technological excellence. The current Mercedes-Benz S-Class would astonish Dr. Benz, but he'd recognize the spirit that created it.
The S-Class actually looks modest compared to the lavish Mercedes models produced during the 1930s. But the devastation of World War II left Mercedes little choice but to abandon the construction of indulgent masterpieces like the 1928 SSK roadster and the glamorous 1934 500K sports car.
Instead, during the late 1940s and early '50s the company concentrated its limited resources on building excellent but modest machines like the rugged and modern "Ponton" midsize sedans. The larger Mercedes like the 300 and 300 S, on the other hand, languished during the 1950s with antiquated styling and minimal mechanical updates. The cars that would lead to today's Mercedes-Benz S-Class didn't appear until the 1960s were almost here.
Direct lineage of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts with the arrival of the six-cylinder W111 "Fintail" and W112 in 1959 and 1961, respectively. Powered by Mercedes' big inline-6s (ranging from 2.2- to 3.0 liters), these cars had modern envelope-style bodywork and a dollop of the intimidating technology that would be the S-Class hallmark.
The W108 model came online during 1965, with its W109 derivative having a slightly elongated wheelbase when sold as the 300SEL. A 3.5-liter V8 was offered by 1970, with a 4.5-liter V8 becoming part of the range only in the United States the next year. The first car to officially be known as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the slick W116 sedan, appeared in time for the 1973 model year and included the iconic 450SE and 450SEL.
The W116 is the template upon which all future Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans have been built: substantial, sophisticated, modern and powerful. Even when diesel engines have been aboard, every Mercedes-Benz S-Class looks as if it's ready to cross Germany at high speed and in serene comfort.
