Mercedes-Benz W116

Mercedes-Benz W116

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1972—1980
Assembly	Sindelfingen, Germany Barcelona, Venezuela (CKD)
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W108
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W126
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine	2.8L I6 3.5L V8 4.5L V8 6.9L V8 3.0L I5 turbodiesel
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,865 mm (112.8 in) SEL: 2,965 mm (116.7 in)
Length	4,960 mm (195 in) 5,060 mm (199 in)
Width	1,870 mm (74 in)
Height	1,410 mm (56 in) & 1,430 mm (56 in)
Related	Mercedes-Benz W114 Mercedes-Benz R107 Mercedes-Benz W123

For a complete overview of all S-Class models see Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz W116 was a series of flagship vehicles produced from September 1972^[1] through 1979. The W116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although earlier sedan models had already unofficially been designated with the letter 'S' - for Sonderklasse or "special class."

History

The 'new' S-class generation development began in 1966, which was only a year after the launch of the W108/09. This was the first Mercedes saloon to feature the brand new corporate styling theme which was to be continued until 1993 when the 190 was discontinued. The design was a dramatic leap forward, with more masculine lines that combined to create an elegant and sporty character. The basic design concept was actually inspired from the R107 SL-Class roadster, especially the front and rear lights.

The most notable W116 was the high-performance, limited-production 450 SEL 6.9, which was the first production car to use an electronic 4-wheel multi-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), as an option from 1978 on. This model boasted the largest engine installed in a postwar Mercedes-Benz up to that time, and also featured a self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension.

The 300 SD sedan (USA and Canada only) had a turbocharged 3.0 L I5 diesel engine developed from the record breaking C111 experimental vehicle.

The 450SEL was awarded European Car of the Year in 1974.

Production totaled 473,035 units. The W116 was succeeded by the W126 S-Class in 1979. The W116 was sold throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.

Models

The entry level six cylinder 280S was the only model in the range to incorporate a carburetor.

In 1975, the W116 was upgraded with a new fuel injection system to comply with revised exhaust emission standards in European markets. A slight power reduction was a result of this update. In 1978, a series of engine upgrades restored original performance levels with new fuel injection systems.

Chassis code	Model Years	Model	Engine	No. built[2]
W116.020	1973–1980	280 S sedan	2.8 L M110 I6	122,848
W116.024	1973–1980	280 SE sedan	2.8 L M110 I6	150,593
W116.025	1974–1980	280 SEL sedan	2.8 L M110 I6	7,032
W116.028	1973–1980	350 SE sedan	3.5 L M116 V8	51,100
W116.029	1973–1980	350 SEL sedan	3.5 L M116 V8	4,266
W116.032	1973–1980	450 SE sedan	4.5 L M117 V8	41,604
W116.033	1973–1980	450 SEL sedan	4.5 L M117 V8	59,578
W116.036	1975–1980	450 SEL 6.9	6.9 L M100 V8	7,380
W116.120	1978–1980	300 SD sedan	3.0 L OM617 I5 turbodiesel (USA and Canada only)	28,634

Technical data

Technical data Mercedes-Benz W116 ^[3] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)

Mercedes-Benz	280 S (W116 V28)	280 SE (W116 E28)	350 SE (W116 E35)	450 SE (W116 E45)	450 SEL 6.9 (W116 E69)	300 SD (W116 D30A)
Produced:	1972–1980	SE: 1972 - 1980 SEL: 1974 − 1980	SE: 1972 - 1980 SEL: 1973 − 1980	1972–1980	1975–1980	1977–1980
Engine:	6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted		90° 8-cylinder-V engine (four-stroke), front-mounted			5-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted
Bore x Stroke:	86 mm x 78.8 mm		92 mm x 65.8 mm	92 mm x 85 mm	107 mm x 95 mm	90.9 mm x 92.4 mm
Displacement:	2746 cc		3499 cc	4517 cc	6834 cc	3005 cc before 1979,2998 cc after 1979
Max. Power @ rpm:	160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @ 5500 USA: 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) @ 4800	185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) @ 6000 USA: 142 bhp (106 kW; 144 PS) @ 5750	200 PS (150 kW; 200 hp) @ 5800	225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp) @ 5000 USA: 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) @ 4750	286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) @ 4250 250 bhp (186 kW; 253 PS) @ 4000	1979: 110 bhp (82 kW; 112 PS) @ 4200 1980: 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) @ 4350
Max. Torque @ rpm:	225 N·m (166 lb·ft) @ 4000 USA: 143 ft·lbf (194 N·m)	238 N·m (176 lb·ft) @ 4500 USA: 149 ft·lbf (202 N·m)	286 N·m (211 lb·ft) @ 4000	377 N·m (278 lb·ft) @ 3000 USA: 240 ft·lbf (325 N·m)	550 N·m (410 lb·ft) @ 3000 USA: 360 ft·lbf (488 N·m)	1979: 168 ft·lbf (228 N·m) @ 2400 1980: 170 ft·lbf (230 N·m) @ 2400
Compression Ratio:	9.0: 1	9.0: 1	9.5: 1	8.8: 1	8.8: 1	21.5: 1
Fuel feed:	One 2-bbl Solex 4A1	Bosch D-Jetronic, from 07/75 K-Jetronic			Bosch K-Jetronic	Bosch injection pump Garrett turbine
Fuel tank capacity:	96 L (25.4 US gal; 21.1 imp gal)					82 L (21.7 US gal; 18.0 imp gal)
Valvetrain:	DOHC, duplex chain		SOHC, duplex chain
Cooling:	Water
Gearbox:	4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic (4-speed auto on the 6cyl 280) rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.92:1 or 3.69:1 (V8: 3.46:1 & 3.07:1)			3-speed automatic rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.07:1	3-speed automatic rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 2.65:1	4-speed automatic rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.07:1
Electrical system:	12 volt
Front suspension:	Double wishbones, coil and additional rubber springs, stabilising bar 6.9: Double wishbones, hydropneumatic damping, stabilizing torsion bar
Rear suspension::	Diagonal swing axle, trailing arms, coil springs, stabilizing torsion bar 6.9: Diagonal swing axle, hydropneumatic damping, stabilizing torsion bar
Brakes:	Disc brakes (Ø 278 mm front, 279 mm rear), power assisted, from 1979 on request ABS
Steering:	Recirculating ball steering, manual or servo-assisted
Body structure:	Sheet steel, monocoque (unibody) construction
Dry weight:	1,660 kg (3,700 lb) USA: 3,770 lb (1,710 kg)	1,665 kg (3,670 lb) SEL: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) USA: 3,750 lb (1,700 kg)	1,725 kg (3,800 lb) SEL: 1,760 kg (3,900 lb)	1,790 kg (3,900 lb) SEL: 1,825 kg (4,020 lb) USA: 3,843 lb (1,743 kg)	1,985 kg (4,380 lb) USA: 4,285 lb (1,944 kg)	1,815 kg (4,000 lb)
Loaded weight:	2,130 kg (4,700 lb)	2,130 kg (4,700 lb) SEL: 2,165 kg (4,770 lb)	2,195 kg (4,840 lb) SEL: 2,220 kg (4,900 lb)	2,250 kg (5,000 lb) SEL: 2,285 kg (5,040 lb)	2,420 kg (5,300 lb)	2,215 kg (4,880 lb)
Track front/ rear:	1,521 mm (59.9 in) / 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase:	S/SE: 2,865 mm (112.8 in) SEL: 2,965 mm (116.7 in)
Length:	4,960 mm (195 in) 5,060 mm (199 in)
Width:	1,870 mm (74 in)
Height:	1,410 mm (56 in) − 1,430 mm (56 in)
Tyre/Tire sizes:	185 HR 14		205/70 HR 14		215/70 HR 14	185 HR 14
Acceleration 0-100 km/h:	11.5s	10.5s	9.5s (10.0s SEL)	9.3s (9.9s SEL)	7.4s	17.0s 16.2s (from 10.1979)
Top speed:	190 km/h (120 mph)	200 km/h (120 mph)	205 km/h (127 mph)	210 km/h (130 mph)	225 km/h (140 mph)	165 km/h (103 mph)
Fuel Consumption (guideline DIN 70030: determined at 3/4 of top-speed (not more than 110 km/h), plus 10 %):	12.5 litres per 100 kilometres (22.6 mpg-imp; 18.8 mpg-US)		13.0 litres per 100 kilometres (21.7 mpg-imp; 18.1 mpg-US)	14.5 litres per 100 kilometres (19.5 mpg-imp; 16.2 mpg-US)	16.0 litres per 100 kilometres (17.7 mpg-imp; 14.7 mpg-US)	10.6 litres per 100 kilometres (26.6 mpg-imp; 22.2 mpg-US)
Price at introduction, Germany USA[4]:	DM 23,800 $ 15,057 (MY 75)	DM 25,500 $ 19,411 (MY 77)	DM 28,900 $ ----	DM 34,000 $ 13,396 (MY 73)	DM 70,000 $ 39,377 (MY 77)	DM ---- $ 26,265 (MY 79)

Features

1975–1980 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL (Australia)

Interior of the W116 6.9

The W116 S-Class incorporated a broad variety of Mercedes-Benz safety innovations.^[5]

• Anti-lock brakes were first featured on the W116 S-Class. This system prevents the wheels from locking while braking. The system improves steering control during hard braking situations, and to shorten brake distances.
• Strengthened body structure. The W116 featured a more stable security passenger cell with a stiffened roof frame structure. High strength roof and door pillars, along with other reinforced zones, provided enhanced vehicle occupant protection.
• A padded dashboard, deformable switches and controls, and a four-spoke steering wheel with impact absorber and broad impact cushion aimed to reduce occupant injury during collisions.
• The fuel tank was no longer fitted at the rear end, but was now placed above the rear axle for added protection.
• Wraparound turn signals made it easier to communicate with nearby drivers.

References

1. ^ Garnier, Peter, ed (date 21 September 1972). "News". Autocar: 19. 
2. ^ Oswald, Werner (2003). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. pp. 80, 86. ISBN 3-613-02131-5. 
3. ^ Oswald, Werner (2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5. 
4. ^ US prices: Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002, Krause Publication, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8, p. 538-541
5. ^ "W116 S-Class enthusiasts page". W116.org. 2008-06-27. http://www.w116.org/. Retrieved 2010-10-01. 

External links