W116 S-Class Sedan

The W116 was the replacement for the W108/W109. It was produced in 1972-1980. The W116 was given a new name, the S-Class. The W116 featured elegant exterior styling. The grille expanded sideways. The headlights formed a large single piece at the front. A long strip of chrome highlights the side of the vehicle. Chrome also highlights the window edges and the wheel fenders. All the special details are highlighted in chrome. The car is painted in a glossy coat of paint. Where paint wasn't as unique in previous cars, the W116 featured glossy paint, a very rare feature at it's time. Many cars were lucky enough to receive any paint. Varnish was pure fantasy.
The interior was also 'the best'. Soft supple leather or luxurious velvet pampered the occupants of the W116 S-Class. A broad sweep of wood trim highlighted the dash. The dash was heavily padded to help cushion the impact in the event of a crash. These were the predecessors of the airbag. In the centre console housed the audio/radio system and the air conditioning system. The areas in the centre console not covered by tools or switches were covered with wood. Where there is an absence of wood, leather takes it's place.
New technology had been fitted onto the car. ABS(Antilock Brake System) is first fitted onto a car. A pioneer by Mercedes-Benz. By preventing the wheels from locking, the car doesn't skid, therefore shortening the brake distance. The passenger cell has been strengthened so that in the event of a crash, the crumple zones will crumple while the passenger cell does not flex. The fuel tank has been moved from the rear end to the rear axle to help protect it during a crash. Wraparound turn signals help other drivers to locate the car more quickly and easily and make necessary decisions earlier.
Various engines were offered including a special edition, 6.9Litre V8. However, this was at the time of the Oil Crisis. A 6.9Litre engine does not have a low fuel consumption, but this did not affect it. The 6.9 seemed so attractive. It was big, muscular, beefy, muscular, powerful, whatever way you wish to describe it, it sold well. Someone once said that he heard a 450SEL 6.9's engine roaring and thought it was a Ferrari passing by.

280S 2.8Litre Inline-6
280SE 2.8Litre Inline-6
280SE 2.8Litre Inline-6
350SE 3.5Litre V8
350SEL 3.5Litre V8
450SE 4.5Litre V8
450SEL 4.5Litre V8
450SEL6.9 6.9Litre V8
300SD 3Litre Inline-5 Turbodiesel

The 450SEL 6.9 was a Special Edition variant of the standard 450SEL models. It was designed to be a high-performance luxury sedan. The car featured hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system. It uses fluid filled struts and nitrogen filled pressure vessels. Where normal suspensions used a dampener and coil, in this special suspension, shocks were absorbed by the use of a hydraulic pump. Ride height could also be altered by pumping in hydraulic fluid or releasing it. This fluid was stored in a tank near the engine. Ride height could be adjusted by 50mm. This suspension allowed the car to have exceptionally nimble handling while retaining a superb ride. The automatic suspension was specially designed for the 6.9. A limited slip differential also improved handling. Limited slip differentials are usually only found in high performance sports cars. The SOHC(Single Over Head Camshaft) V8 engine was the best at it's time. It featured the latest fuel injection from Bosch. Also, the whole structure was made out of alloys, making it light and efficient. The engine, codenamed M-100 also featured a dry-sump lubricant. Dry-sump lubricants are only found in sports cars/supercars. This high-performance engine could have definately been fitted onto a sports car. On the racetrack, test driver said that handling was amazingly easy. The ride however, was so comfortable that he opened the sunroof and turned on the radio. The downside is that the 450SEL 6.9 was quite expensive. The most expensive Cadillac and a Full-Size Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five limousine cost around $16,000 each. The price of the 450SEL 6.9 was around $40,000. This was more expensive than most Rolls-Royce's at it's time. In the later years, 6.9s were sold for $53,000 each. The 450SEL 6.9 is indeed a very special vehicle.
The W116 S-Class Sedan is/was/will continue to be truly amazing. It's a legend, a legacy of Mercedes-Benz. The 450SEL 6.9, a very special car will always have a very special place in our hearts even if it doesn't have a place in my garage. The legacy of the S-Class continues.

variety of engines were offered. The name corresponded to the engine size. The 280SE and the 280SEL featured an Inline-6 engine. The other engines were V8s. There was the 350SE, 350SEL, 450SE, 450SEL and a special 450SEL 6.9 featuring a 6.9Litre engine. Also featured for the USA and Canada was a 3Litre Diesel engine. This S-Class featured many technological advancements. It pioneered the ABS, a strengthened passenger compartment, interior safety features such as impact cushions(the predecessor of airbags) and wraparound turn signals so that other drivers can notice the car more easily. The S-Class was definately the most advanced car of it's era.