Mercedes-Benz W116

The Mercedes-Benz W 116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980.Template:Sfn The W 116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although some earlier sedan models had already been designated unofficially with the letter S for "special class" (Template:Langx). The W 116 was selected as European Car of the Year in 1974.

History

1975 Mercedes-Benz 350 SE interior

New rear suspension

The W 116 is the first S-Class, to use the same engineering as the W 114/W 115, but used a larger, separate platform. The S-Class from 1965 and "Pagoda" SL from 1963 would be the last of the low-pivot swing axle and king pin/double wishbone front ends.

The W 114 and W 115 models from 1968 are the first post-war Mercedes-Benz production cars to use a new suspension design. The semi-trailing rear arm and ball-joint front end format first displayed in the W 114/W 115 would be used in all new Mercedes passenger car models until the development of the multi-link rear suspensions of the 1980s.

The W 116 has independent suspension and disk brakes on all four wheels.

New corporate styling theme

The W 116's development began in 1966, which was only a year after the launch of the W 108/W 109. This is the first Mercedes-Benz sedan to feature the brand-new corporate styling theme, which endured until 1997, when the W 140 was discontinued. The design, finalized in December 1969, was a dramatic leap forward, with an elegant and sporty character. The basic design concept continued the themes originally introduced on the R 107 SL-Class roadster, especially the front and rear lights. As with the SL, the W 116 received the ridged lamp covers which keeps dirt accumulation at bay; this was to remain a Mercedes-Benz design theme into the 21st century. The W 116 was Friedrich Geiger's last design for Mercedes-Benz; his career had started with the Mercedes-Benz 500K in 1933.

1972: 2.8 L 6-cylinder and 3.5 L V8 engines

The W 116 was presented in September 1972. The model range initially included two versions of the M 110 engine (straight-six with 2746 cc displacement) — the 280 S (using a Solex carburetor) and the 280 SE (using Bosch D-Jetronic injection), plus the 350 SE, powered by the M 116 engine (V8 with 3499 cc displacement). After the 1973 oil crisis, a long-wheelbase 280 SEL was added to the model range.

1973: 4.5 L V8 engine

The larger 4.5-litre M 117 V8 engines were developed in response to US emission regulations and initially fitted to the 350 SL and 350 SLC for the US market in 1972, which were renamed as the 450 SL and 450 SLC in 1973. Mercedes-Benz introduced the 450 SE and 450 SEL for both US and international markets in 1973. The 4.5-litre models were available with three-speed automatic gearboxes only, while the models with smaller 3.5-litre V8 engine could be ordered with a four-speed manual gearbox. The 450 SE and 450 SEL received a plusher interior, with velour or leather seats rather than the checkered cloth of the lesser models. The door cards had the velour or leather inserts.

The 4.5-litre M 117 V8 engines had Template:Cvt in most European and international markets, Template:Cvt for the US market, and Template:Cvt for Swedish and Australian markets. The 450 models received a plusher interior as well, with velour or leather seats rather than the checkered cloth of the lesser models. The door cards were also of a different design, with pads being pulled up around the windows.

1975: 6.8 L V8 engine

The most notable W 116 model was the high-performance 450 SEL 6.9, which was introduced in 1975. This model boasted the largest engine installed in a post-war Mercedes-Benz (and any non-American production automobile) up to that time, and it also featured self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension.

1978: 3.0 L 5-cylinder turbocarged diesel engine

Exclusive to the North American and Japanese markets was the 300 SD TURBO DIESEL, the world's first passenger car with a turbocharged diesel engine, which was introduced in 1978. No 300 SD TURBO DIESEL model was offered in Europe (where diesel engines were well-received and had tax advantages) until 1991, when the W 140 300 SD was finally introduced in Europe and international markets.

Production data

The 450 SE was named the European Car of the Year in 1974, even though the W 116 range was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in the fall of 1972. The W 116 became the first production car to use an electronic four-wheel multi-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) from Bosch as an option from 1978 on.

Production totaled 473,035 units. The W 116 was succeeded by the W 126 S-Class in 1979. The W 116 was sold throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.

Fuel injection

1978 M 110 Engine, twin cam inline 6 (2.8 litre) with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. The left cam drives the pump for the hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension.

1978 Mercedes Benz 280 SE (Australian delivered) in 906 Graublau metallic (Grey Blue metallic)

In 1975, the W 116 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. The D-Jetronic fuel injection system fitted to the early 280 SE (1973–1974) had computers and MAP sensor that are prone to failure after more than 20 years of use. From 1975 onward they used the K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection system, a less complicated system that proved to be much more reliable in the long run with injectors costing significantly less than those used on the D-Jetronic system. The W 116 equipped with the K-Jetronic system used a cast-iron fuel distributor which can be prone to rust over time if moisture or water is present in the fuel. This was changed to an alloy fuel distributor in the following model W 126 and is not subject to corrosion.

Hydropneumatic suspension

W 116 was the first model from Mercedes-Benz to feature the hydropneumatic suspension system. While the principle is similar to Citroën's, Mercedes-Benz made some changes. The hydraulic pump was driven by the timing chain instead of a rubber belt for more reliability (Citroën's system would lead to loss of hydraulic power if the belt failed). Mercedes-Benz utilised the hard rubber dampers as temporary dampers in event of hydraulic failure. The height adjustment had a smaller range of height as compared to Citroën (40 mm versus 50 mm). Unlike Citroën, the car did not “sink” to the ground after shutting off the engine, and the driver did not have to wait for the hydraulic power to spool up and lift the car to the operating height.

The full hydropneumatic suspension system was fitted to the 450 SEL 6.9 as standard. In 1977, the self-levelling rear suspension system was offered for 450 SEL as an extra cost option outside the North American market.

North American sales

Mercedes-Benz 450 SE (United States)

North America was a key market for the W 116. The model range for the U.S. market for 1973 was 450 SE and 450 SEL. Initially both models were unique to the US market, carrying on the tradition of the 4.5 litre W 108/W 109 versions they replaced (and would become available in Europe only in early 1973). For 1975, the 280 S was launched as a response to the 1973 oil crisis. For 1977, the 280 S and 450 SE were dropped due to slow sales and replaced with the 280 SE. The 6.9 was added for 1978 with the MSRP of $38,230 and continued to be sold until 1980.

Malaise era

Due to the series of new federal safety and emission regulations in the 1970s, the W 116 were described by journalists as if a "beautiful car was beaten with the malaise ugly stick." Furthermore, the performance was being continuously hampered by the increasingly stringent emission control and fuel economy legislation. Upon launch, the M 117 engine for the US market developed a SAE net rating of Template:Cvt at 4750 rpm and Template:Cvt at 3000 rpm for a car with curb weight of Template:Cvt (450 SEL - Template:Cvt). In the final 1980 model year, the 450 SEL was producing Template:Cvt at 4200 rpm and Template:Cvt at 2500 rpm, weighing Template:Cvt (international model Template:Cvt at 5000 rpm, Template:Cvt at 3250 rpm, Template:Cvt).

300 SD Turbodiesel

The 300 SD "TURBO DIESEL", the world's first passenger car with a turbocharged diesel engine, was launched in the United States and Canada in 1978. It had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-five diesel engine developed from the C111 experimental vehicle. The 300 SD became a best seller and helped considerably raise Mercedes-Benz's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE). Mercedes-Benz would make S-Class models with the turbocharged diesel engines exclusively for the North American and Japanese markets until 1992.

450 SEL 6.9

The high-performance 450 SEL 6.9 version of the S-Class was built on its own assembly line by Daimler-Benz in Sindelfingen, Germany and based on the long-wheelbase version of the W 116 chassis. The model was generally referred to in the company's literature as the "450 SEL 6.9" but simply "6.9" for the US market. Despite the model designation, the actual engine displacement is 6.8 litres.

The 450 SEL 6.9 was first shown to the motoring press at the Geneva Auto Show in 1974 and produced between 1975 and 1980. It was billed as the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz car line and the successor to Mercedes-Benz's original high-performance sedan, the 300 SEL 6.3.

Technical data

Technical data Mercedes-Benz W 116 Template:Sfn (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)

Model	300 SD	280 S	280 SE 280 SEL	350 SE 350 SEL	450 SE 450 SEL	450 SEL 6.9
Type	W 116 D 30 A	W 116 V28	W 116 E 28 V 116 E 28	W 116 E 35 V 116 E 35	W 116 E 45 V 116 E 45	V 116 E 69
Chassis Code	116.120	116.020	116.024 116.025	116.028 116.029	116.032 116.033	116.036
Production Period	05/1978–09/1980	09/1972–07/1980	09/1972–07/1980 04/1974−05/1980	08/1972–09/1980 11/1973−06/1980	12/1972–04/1980 02/1973–06/1980	09/1975–05/1980
Units Built	28,634	122,848	150,593 7,032	51,100 4,266	41,604 59,578	7,380
Engine	OM 617 D 30 A	M 110 V 28	M 110 E 28	M 116 E 35	M 117 E 45	M 100 E 69
Configuration	Front-engine design, four-stroke
	Straight-five engine	Straight-six engine		90° V8 engine
Bore × Stroke	Template:Cvt × Template:CvtTemplate:Efn	Template:Cvt × Template:Cvt		Template:Cvt × Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt × Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt × Template:Cvt
Displacement	Template:CvtTemplate:Efn	Template:Cvt		Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt
Valvetrain	Duplex chain
	SOHC	DOHC		SOHC
Cooling System	Water
Electrical System	12 volt
1972/1973: 1st engine series
Engine Code		110.922	110.983	116.983	117.983
Fuel Feed		One 2-bbl Solex 4A1	Bosch D-Jetronic
Compression Ratio		9.0 : 1		9.5 : 1	8.8 : 1
Max. Power at 1 rpm		Template:Cvt at 5,500 USA: Template:Cvt at 4,800	Template:Cvt at 6,000 USA: Template:Cvt at 5,750	Template:Cvt at 5,800	Template:Cvt at 5,000 USA: Template:Cvt at 4,750
Max. Torque at 1 rpm		Template:Cvt at 4,000 USA: Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt at 4,500 USA: Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt at 4,000	Template:Cvt at 3,000 USA: Template:Cvt
1975/1976: 2nd engine series
Engine Code		110.922	110.985	116.985	117.986	100.985
Fuel Feed		One 2-bbl Solex 4A1	Bosch K-Jetronic
Compression Ratio		8.7 : 1		9.0 : 1	8.8 : 1
Max. Power at 1 rpm		Template:Cvt at 5,500	Template:Cvt at 6,000	Template:Cvt at 5,500	Template:Cvt at 5,000	Template:Cvt at 4,250 USA: Template:Cvt at 4,000
Max. Torque at 1 rpm		Template:Cvt at 4,000	Template:Cvt at 4,000	Template:Cvt at 4,000	Template:Cvt at 3,250	Template:Cvt at 3,000 USA: Template:Cvt at 3,000
1978/1979: 3rd engine series
Engine Code	617.950	110.922	110.985	116.985	117.986	100.985
Fuel Feed	Bosch injection pump Garrett turbine	One 2-bbl Solex 4A1	Bosch K-Jetronic
Compression Ratio	21.5 : 1	8.7 : 1	9.0 : 1	8.8 : 1
Max. Power at 1 rpm	Template:Cvt at 4,200 MY 1980: Template:Cvt at 4,350	Template:Cvt at 5,500	Template:Cvt at 5,800	Template:Cvt at 5,750	Template:Cvt at 5,000 USA: Template:Cvt at 4,250	Template:Cvt at 4,250 USA: Template:Cvt at 4,000
Max. Torque at 1 rpm	Template:Cvt at 2,400 MY 1980: Template:Cvt at 2,400	Template:Cvt at 4,000	Template:Cvt at 4,500	Template:Cvt at 4,000	Template:Cvt at 3,000 USA: Template:Cvt at 2,500	Template:Cvt at 3,000 USA: Template:Cvt at 3,000
Gearbox	4-speed automatic w/ column or floor shifter	4-speed manual w/ column or floor shifter			3-speed automatic w/ column or floor shifter
		optional 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic both w/ column or floor shifter		optional 3-speed automatic w/ column or floor shifter
Automatic Gearbox: Model (Type)	W4B 025 (722.1)			W3A 040 (722.0)	W3B 050 (722.0) (worldwide) W3A 040 (722.0) (USA & Japan)	W3B 050 reinf. (722.0)
Final Ratio	$\frac{43}{14}\approxeq$ Template:Round	$\frac{48}{13}\approxeq$ Template:Round		$\frac{45}{13}\approxeq$ Template:Round	$\frac{43}{14}\approxeq$ Template:Round	$\frac{45}{17}\approxeq$ Template:Round
Body Structure	Sheet steel, unibody (monocoque)
Length	SD · SE: Template:Cvt · with US bumpers: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt · with US bumpers: Template:Cvt
Width	Template:Cvt
Height	Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
Curb Weight	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt USA: Template:Cvt	SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt USA: Template:Cvt	SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt	SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt USA: Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt USA: Template:Cvt
Loaded Weight	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt	SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt	SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt
Wheelbase	SD · SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt				SE: Template:Cvt SEL: Template:Cvt
Track Front · Rear	Template:Cvt · Template:Cvt
Front Suspension	Independent, double wishbones, torsion anti-roll bar, anti-dive device
	Coil and additional rubber springs					Hydropneumatic
Rear Suspension	Independent, semi-trailing arm ("diagonal swing axle"), torsion anti-roll bar
	—				Anti-squat device
	Coil and additional rubber springs					Hydropneumatic
Brakes	Disc brakes (Ø 278 mm front, 279 mm rear), power assisted, from 1979 on request ABS
Steering	Recirculating ball steering, servo-assisted
Tyre/Tire Sizes	185 HR 14			205/70 VR 14		215/70 VR 14
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)	17.0 s MY 1980: 16.2 s	11.5 s	SE: 10.5 s SEL: 11.0 s	SE: 9.5 s SEL: 10.0 s	SE: 8.5 s SEL: 8.9 s	7.4 s
Top Speed	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt
Fuel Tank Capacity	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt
Fuel ConsumptionTemplate:Efn	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt		Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt
Template:Notelist

Features

Mercedes-Benz 280 SE (France)

Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL (Australia)

The W 116 S-Class incorporated a broad variety of Mercedes-Benz safety innovations.

• Four wheel anti-lock brakes were first featured as an option on the 1978 W 116. 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 W 116 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.
• Deformation zones (crumple zones) in the front and rear.
• 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.

Shanghai SH771

In China a copy of the Mercedes-Benz W 116 was built in 1974 as the Shanghai SH771 by Shanghai Automobile to replace its old 1950s Shanghai SH760. It had some styling differences from the Mercedes-Benz W 116 and used the 5.6 liter V8 from the Hongqi CA770 luxury car. Never produced, only 30 SH771s were built, and were used for testing until 1978. Beijing did not approve of full-scale production for the SH771.

References

Bibliography

General

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Barrett: Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz
• Template:Brooklands: On Mercedes 1971-1979
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Häußermann: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Hofner: Die S-Klasse von Mercedes-Benz
• Template:Hofner: Mercedes-Benz Automobile
• Template:Hofner: Mercedes-Benz Typenkunde
• Template:Mercedes-Benz (Koch)
• Template:McComb: Mercedes-Benz V8s
• Template:Meredith: Mercedes-Benz Saloons
• Template:Niemann: Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz
• Template:Nitskey: Mercedes-Benz Production Models Book 1946-1995
• Template:Deutsche Autos
• Template:Oswald: Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Rocke: Das große Mercedes-S-Klasse-Buch
• Template:Rocke: Das neue große Mercedes-S-Klasse-Buch
• Template:Mercedes-Benz (Koch)
• Template:Schlegelmilch: Mercedes
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Mercedes-Benz since 1945
• Template:Taylor: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1972-2013

Workshop manuals

• Template:Chilton: Mercedes-Benz: 1968-73
• Template:Mellon: Mercedes: Coupes 1974-84 Repair Manual
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion

External links

• International M-100 Group — Factory-authorized site with information on all M-100-powered Mercedes-Benz automobiles, (including technical forums and maintenance information). The Brock Yates article can be found here as well
• A Mercedes for the '70s: The W116 Series S-Class — A site mixing the history of the full-scale W116 with that of its many miniature replicas.
• Classic Car driver review
• Golden Brown: Four Days in a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 – Feature (Car and Driver)