117 years of high class: the history of the most luxurious Mercedes

In fact, the history of the most luxurious models from Stuttgart began long before 1972. And it includes more daring ideas and technological innovations than any other vehicle. 

Mercedes Simplex 60 hp (1903-1905)

This question is debatable, but still many experts point to the Simplex 60, created by Wilhelm Maybach for the first ever premium car. Introduced in 1903, it is based on the Mercedes 35, offering a 5,3-liter 4-cylinder overhead valve engine and an unprecedented 60 horsepower (a year later, Rolls-Royce introduced its first car with only 10 horsepower). In addition, the Simplex 60 offers a long base with plenty of interior space, a comfortable interior and an innovative heatsink. The car in the Mercedes museum is from the personal collection of Emil Jelinek, who inspired the appearance of this car and its godfather (Mercedes is the name of his daughter).

Mercedes-Benz Nurburg W 08 (1928 – 1933)

W08 debuted in 1928 and became the first Mercedes model with an 8-cylinder engine. The name, of course, is in honor of the legendary Nürburgring, which at that time was not yet legendary - in fact, it was discovered only a year earlier. W08 deserves to be said so, after 13 days of non-stop laps on the track, he managed to pass 20 kilometers without problems.

Mercedes-Benz 770 Grand Mercedes W 07 (1930-1938)

In 1930, Daimler-Benz presented this car as the absolute pinnacle of technology and luxury for that era. In practice, this is not a production vehicle, because each unit is ordered and assembled individually at the request of the customer in Sindelfingen. This is the first car with an 8-cylinder compressor engine. It also has a dual ignition system with two spark plugs per cylinder, a five-speed gearbox, a tubular frame and a De Dion-type rear axle.

Mercedes-Benz 320W 142 (1937-1942)

Introduced in 1937, this is a luxury limousine for Europe. The independent suspension provides exceptional comfort, and an overdrive was added in 1939, which reduced the cost and engine noise. An external built-in trunk has also been added.

Mercedes-Benz 300 W 186 and W 189 (1951-1962)

Today it is best known as the Adenauer Mercedes because among the first buyers of this car was Konrad Adenauer, the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The W 186 was unveiled at the first Frankfurt International Motor Show in 1951, just six years after the end of the war.

It is equipped with an advanced 6-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft and mechanical injection, electric adaptive suspension that compensates for heavy loads, fan heating and, since 1958, air conditioning.

Mercedes-Benz 220W 187 (1951-1954)

Along with the prestigious Adenauer, the company presented another luxury model in Frankfurt in 1951. Equipped with the same innovative 6-cylinder engine but also much lighter, the 220 has received many accolades for its sporty demeanor.

Mercedes-Benz W180, W128 (1954 – 1959)

This model, with the 220, 220 S and 220 SE versions, was the first major design change after the war. Today we know it as "Pontoon" because of its square shape. The suspension is lifted directly from the wonderful Formula 1 car - W196, and noticeably improves road behavior. Combined with advanced 6-cylinder engines and cooling brakes, this makes the W180 a market sensation with over 111 units sold.

It is the first Mercedes with a self-supporting structure and the first with separate air conditioning for driver and passenger.

Mercedes-Benz W 111 (1959-1965)

This model, painted by the ingenious designer Paul Braque, debuted in 1959 and went down in history as the "Fan" - Heckflosee due to its specific lines. However, they are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also fully functional - a goal for the driver to learn about the dimensions when parking backwards.

The W111 and its more luxurious version, the W112, are the first vehicles to use Bella Bareny's reinforced carcass structure, which protects passengers in the event of an impact and absorbs front and rear impact energy.

Gradually, the W111 received other innovations - disc brakes, a dual brake system, a 4-speed automatic, air suspension and central locking.

Mercedes-Benz 600W 100 (1963-1981)

Mercedes' first ultra-luxury model after the war went down in history as the Grosser. Equipped with a 6,3-liter V8 engine, this car reaches speeds above 200 km / h, and its later versions have 7 and even 8 seats. Air suspension is standard, and almost all cars are hydraulically operated, from power steering to opening and closing doors and windows, adjusting seats and opening the trunk.

Mercedes-Benz W 108, W 109 (1965 - 1972)

One of the most elegant large Mercedes models. Like its predecessor, it has a long base (+10 cm). Shown here for the first time is a deformable steering column to protect the driver. The rear suspension is hydropneumatic, SEL versions are pneumatically adjustable. At the top is the 300 SEL 6.3, introduced in 1968 with a V8 engine and 250 horsepower.

Mercedes-Benz S Class 116 (1972-1980)

In 1972, luxury Mercedes models finally received the name S-class (from Sonder - special). The debut car with this name brings several technological revolutions at once - it is the first production car with ABS, as well as the first car in the luxury segment with a diesel engine (and with the 300 SD since 1978, the first production car with a turbodiesel). Cruise control is available as an option, as is an automatic transmission with torque vectoring. Since 1975, the 450 SEL version has also been equipped with a self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension.

Mercedes-Benz S Class 126 (1979-1991)

Thanks to aerodynamics developed in a wind tunnel, the second S-Class has an air resistance of 0,37 Cd, a record low for the segment at the time. The new V8 engines have an aluminum block. The catalyst has been available as an option since 1985 and the serial catalyst since 1986. The 126 is also a driver's airbag since 1981. This is where seat belt pretensioners first appeared.

It is the most successful S-class car in history, with 818 units sold on the market in 036 years. Until the introduction of the BMW 12i in 750, it was virtually unmatched.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 (1991 – 1998)

The S-class of the 90s broke the elegance of its predecessors with more impressive baroque forms, which were very popular with Russian and early Bulgarian oligarchs. This generation introduced the electronic stability control system to the automotive world, as well as double windows, the brand's first production V12 engine, and a pair of rather odd metal bars protruding at the rear to make parking easier. It is also the first S-Class in which the model number does not correspond to the engine size.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220 (1998 – 2005)

The fourth generation, with slightly more elongated shapes, achieved a record drag coefficient of 0,27 (for comparison, the Ponton once had a goal of 0,473). In this car, electronic brake assist, Distronic adaptive cruise control, and a keyless entry system were introduced.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 (2005 – 2013)

The fifth generation introduced slightly more refined looks, an even more luxurious interior, as well as an unparalleled choice of powertrains, from the amazing 2,1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine popular in some markets, to the monstrous 6-horsepower twin-turbocharged 12-liter V610.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222 (2013-2020)

This brings us to the current generation of the S-Class, just a few weeks away from the start of deliveries of the new W223. The W222 will be remembered especially with the introduction of the first big steps towards autonomous driving - Active Lane Keeping Assist which can practically follow the road and overtaking on the highway, and Adaptive Cruise Control which can not only slow down, but also stop if necessary and then again. travel on your own.