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The W126 was the Mercedes-Benz S-Class produced between 1979 and 1991. The different models produced achieved combined sales of more than 800,000 units, making the W126 the most popular Mercedes-Benz S-Class to date. Available as a long- (SEL, SDL) and short wheel base (SE, SD) sedan, as well as a coupé (SEC).
[] History
The W126 replaced the 1970s-generation W116 (including the flagship Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9). It carried forward the self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an option on the 500-, and standard on the 560- models. Following the 1970s oil crisis, Mercedes-Benz made fuel efficiency a pertinent goal of the model, even in the large V8-engined models.
W126 is the bodycode given to the Mercedes-Benz S-class series, produced from 1979 until 1992. W126 sales were halted in 1992 for the US market. Mercedes-Benz South Africa continued producing them for some years, stopping in 1994.
The car was introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt on September 1979. Its appearance differed from the rest of the Mercedes fleet at that time, so some people did not appreciate the design right away. The objective of the design team, lead by Bruno Sacco, was to produce a car that was sleeker, more aerodynamic, lighter and faster than the previous model.
It ended up selling 415,000 units, the most of any Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicle. The car remained competitive in its segment during its production run.
The W126 generation was replaced by theW140 in 1992.
[] Models produced
The many W126 models (named according to engine size) include:
* 1979-1985:
o 280S/SE/SEL (World excluding US)
o 300SD ('81-'85, USA and Canada only)
o 380SE/SEL/SEC
o 500SE/(excluding US)
o 500SEL/SEC (for US and Canada '84 and '85)
* 1986-1991:
o 260SE (World excluding US)
o 300SE/SEL ('88-'91 US)
o 300SDL ('86-'87)
o 350SD/SDL ('90-'91)
o 420SE/SEL/SEC
o 500SE/SEL/SEC (World excluding US)
o 560SE/SEL/SEC (560SE n/a in US)
[] Technology and Features
Novel luxury features/options include:
* Airbags, as an additional measure of occupant protection. The driver side airbag premiered on 1985 models (standard on 500SEL and 500SEC, optional on 300SD, 380SE, and 380SL), and the passenger side airbag premiered in 1989.
* Traction control ASR to prevent wheelspin (a Mercedes first). Available on European models only until the 1990 when it was available to 560 SEL customers in the United States.
* Seat belt pretensioners ETR enabled all seat belts (with exception of rear center lap belt on sedans) to tighten when the car sensed conditions that could lead to an accident; such as sudden, forceful braking.
* Anti-lock braking system ABS brakes (as introduced by its predecessor, the W116)
* Self-leveling suspension There were 2 Versions for the Sedan, a Rear only hydraulic suspension using 2 nitrogen ballasts to automatically level the car, and a 4 wheel hydraulic leveling system that could be set in 3 positions. The coupes were only available with the rear-leveling from the factory. In the US, rear-leveling was standard on both the 560 SEC and the 560 SEL.
* Courtesy lights on the underside of the doors, to enable the occupant to see the ground when exiting the vehicle in the dark. And on sedan models, individual, rear cabin reading lamps aimed at the rear seat occupants' laps so as to avoid distracting the driver at night.
* 8-way powered, dual stage heated front seats, with two setting memory functions for both front occupants to retain positions of power adjustable steering column and seat position for driver; and seat position for front passenger.
* 2-way powered, dual stage heated rear "Chesterfield" bench seat (pre 1990 SELs) with 4-way manually adjustable rear headrests that was standard on flagship 500 SEL and 560 SEL models.
* As an option on the 500 SEL and 560 SEL, individual, power adjustable rear seats were provided with a burl walnut grained center console that replaced the center seat to allow for a 2 + 2 seating format.
* Fully automatic climate control system that used an interior temperature sensor to more accurately climatize the cabin. This sensor was mounted near the sunroof so that when the roof was ajar, the sensor would detect cool windchills and call upon the system to adjust heat flow accordingly.
* Exterior temperature sensor with display set in main instrument console below the speedometer to inform the driver of exterior conditions.
* Four-Speed automatic transmission with a topographical sensor that monitored the vehicle's position (whether on an incline or decline) and gas pedal position. The result was an extraordinary capacity to "hold back" acceleration when coasting down hill and to maintain the S-Class' position without using the brake pedal after coming to a complete stop on a steep incline. The transmission also featured a "limp home mode" in case of electronic failure and was programed to start in 2nd gear so as to permit smooth, wheel spin free launches.
* Cruise control that used the transmission's topographical sensor to appropriately add and cut back the throttle fluidly as needed in order to maintain the desired set speed. The result was a cruise control that was free of the sudden throttle inputs and undesired downhill excess speed that plague many current cruise control systems.
Whilst almost all of these features are available on modern luxury cars today, each in its own right was considered very significant in the 1980s. The harmonious and "matter-of-fact" way which these were combined, as well as their renowned durability, has added to the appeal of W126.
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