Mercedes-Benz W126 History

Mercedes-Benz introduced the W126 four-door S-Class luxury car in September, 1979 to replace the W116. The new W126 series was unveiled at the international motor show (IAA) in Frankfurt Germany. There were seven models in the new line up the 280SE/SEL, 380SE/SEL, 500SE/SEL and the 300SD.

The S-Class W116 was the best selling luxury sedan of its time and the new W126 was designed to keep Mercedes-Benz in that position for years to come. The new series provided improved ride, better handling, more power and increased fuel efficiency over it predecessor the W116. Much of these advancements were due to the use of new lighter alloys and new design techniques such as wind tunnels etc.

In 1981 the 500SEC coupe version was added.

In 1985 the W126 line was completely redesigned yet it still retained the W126 designation. The styling was updated, changes were made to the bumpers, molding and wheel treatments. Two new 6-cylinder engines along with new 4.2 and 5.6 liter V8 engines were introduced. The balance of the engines in the line up were also upgraded with the newer technology. This new sleeker more aerodynamic style was to be carried throughout the 1980s line up, quite a departure from the traditional boxy Mercedes-Benz look of the past.

Features and Options

Four-speed automatic transmissions with a topographical sensor to monitor the vehicle and gas pedal position. The transmission was the first to reduce acceleration on a downhill and maintain position without the use of brake pedal after coming to a complete stop on a steep incline. The transmission also featured a limp mode in case of electronic failure.  The transmission was designed to start in second gear for a smoother launch and could be switched on and off in European and North American models with a S/W switch to allow for a more performance orientated response when needed.

Anti-lock braking system, ABS (introduced in the W116) was optional until 1986 in all models except the 500SEL and 500 SEC which came with ABS as standard equipment .

Self-leveling hydro pneumatic suspension (from the 6.9 W116) . There were two versions offered:  rear only hydraulic suspension using two nitrogen ballasts to automatically level the car, and a four-wheel hydraulic leveling system. The coupés were only available with the rear-leveling system. In the US, rear-leveling was standard on the 560 SEC and 560 SEL and optional on the 500 SEC and SEL.

Mercedes-Benz was the first to offer a traction control system (TCS) or acceleration slip regulation (ASR) to prevent wheel spin. Available only on European models until 1990, and then offered on the 560 SEL in the US market.

Mercedes -Benz offered the first cruise control system that self adjusted to maintain a constant speed regardless of incline or decline in the road surface.

Two-way powered, dual stage heated rear "Chesterfield" bench seat (pre-1990 SEL) with four-way manually adjustable rear headrests standard on the 500 and 560 SEL models.

Driver side airbags were introduced on the 1981 models. The passenger side airbag was introduced in 1986 as an option (standard from 1985 on 500 SEL and SEC) and standard on all models in 1991.

Eight-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. The seat heaters were standard on the 560 SEL/SEC, and an option on other models.

Crumple zones to absorb impact during an accident.

Seat belt pre tensioners that provided a loose fitting belt under normal driving conditions and tightened when the car sensed conditions that could lead to an accident such as sudden braking.

A fully automatic climate control system that used an interior temperature sensor to adjust the interior heating or cooling.