When the world’s oldest and most accomplished carmaker sets out to make the best luxury car in the world, you can expect a lot. And that’s exactly what Mercedes did with the Sonder Class (Special) in the early 70s, a car that gave birth to a legend.
Now, making gargantuan flagship products for heads of state and royalty was something Mercedes already did really well. Cars such as the massive 1930s Nurburg, the 1950s 300 Adenauer and the 1960s stretched 600 Pullman all clearly point to this steady accumulation of engineering know-how.
What the first S-Class did was bridge the gap between Mercedes’s near-handcrafted limousines and its production models while still delivering the highest levels of comfort, luxury and technology. Although each generation has its own design language, every S-Class has pushed boundaries forward, setting new benchmarks and earning the title of “the best car in the world”, a phrase first coined by Autocar UK. Mercedes India has assembled them all to mark the arrival of the new S-Class.
Nothing else encapsulates the allure of the three-pointed star quite like the S-Class. What follows below is the evolution of a car that revolutionised the automotive industry.
W116 (1972-1979): The Pioneer
When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the W116 in 1972, it was not just the first Mercedes to officially wear the S-Class badge; it also set the trend that made it the new benchmark for the industry. Everything spoke the language of luxury.
The design was upright and commanding; there was a big focus on safety and a solid build that reflected Mercedes’s engineering ethos of the time. The metalwork still stands out as something special and especially tough even today. And like all S-Classes that followed, it set tech trends. The W116 introduced the world’s first production anti-lock braking system (ABS) in 1978, a technology that would later become universal. Inside, the cabin was a masterclass in restrained luxury, with build quality and comfort prioritised over flash, something that endures to a large extent even today.
- First Mercedes-Benz to use the S-Class nomenclature
- The first car to be built with a comprehensive integral safety concept
- Introduced the world’s first revolutionary ABS
- First production car with a turbocharged diesel engine
W126 (1979-1991): The ’80s Icon
The W126 arrived in 1979 and immediately became the car of choice for world leaders, captains of industry and anyone who wanted to make a statement of success. Its design was sleeker and more aerodynamic than the W116, with smoother lines that gave it a timeless elegance. Mercedes introduced airbags here, another world-first, reinforcing the S-Class’s reputation as the safest car money could buy. The W126 was also offered in coupe form, the SEC, which became a symbol of indulgence in the 1980s. What made the W126 unique was its sheer popularity and global appeal; it sold in vast numbers across the globe, and its blend of elegance, safety and snob appeal made it the definitive luxury car of its era.
- V126 (V is for long wheelbase): Enhanced efficiency and safety
- Got driver’s airbag and belt tensioner for front passenger (1981 onwards)
- Consistent weight reduction and aerodynamically enhanced shape defined new standards
- Anti-skid control (ASR)
W140 (1991-1998): The Over-engineered Giant
By 1991, Mercedes had decided that restraint was overrated, and the W140 was born. This was the S-Class at its most uncompromising, earning the nickname “Panzerwagen”, all thanks to its sheer size and weight. It introduced indulgent features such as double-glazed windows, soft-close doors and parking sensors, with little aerials popping up to help you park – luxuries unheard of at the time. What made the W140 unique was its unapologetic pursuit of perfection, regardless of cost or complexity. The W140 also marked the debut of the V12 engine in the S-Class, cementing its place at the very top of the luxury hierarchy. Some called it excessive, but this was the ultimate expression of Mercedes’s engineering might back then, a two-tonne calling card almost no one could ignore.
- First car to feature the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in 1995
- Parktronic electronic parking aid and auto-pilot satellite navigation system in 1995
- Introduction of Brake Assist System (BAS) in 1996
- Linguatronic voice control system
W220 (1998-2005): The Digital Dawn
In 1998, Mercedes responded to criticism of the W140’s bulk with the lighter, more elegant W220. Its design was slimmer, more graceful and more in tune with the digital age. The W220 debuted the COMAND infotainment system, Airmatic air suspension and Distronic adaptive cruise control – technologies that would later filter down to more affordable cars. Inside, the cabin was a showcase of modern luxury, with digital displays and the swooping aesthetic of the dash complementing the car’s more elegant stance.
The long-wheelbase version, the V220, was the first S-Class to be officially sold in India. What has stayed with Mercedes here is its reputation for huge rear-seat comfort, fantastic ride quality and the highest levels of isolation from the road – fundamentals that still hold the S-Class brand high. And what made the W220 unique was its ability to balance elegance with innovation, proving that the S-Class could evolve with the times without losing its essence.
- V220: Less weight, more comfort and safety
- Eight airbags, Distronic and standard air suspension aid comfort and safety
- Pre-safe occupant-protection system was introduced in 2002
- Introduction of automatic cylinder shut-off (S600) and 4Matic all-wheel drive system
- First S-Class to be manufactured in India
- First S-Class AMG model in the official model range
W221 (2005-2013): The Tech Titan
The W221, launched in 2005, was a bold, muscular interpretation of the S-Class. Its design featured pronounced and sporty wheel arches and a more assertive stance, reflecting Mercedes’s confidence in its flagship. But it was inside where the W221 truly shone, with technologies such as Night View Assist, lane-keeping systems and Active Body Control (active suspension) making it one of the most advanced cars of its time. The cabin, too, was luxurious and as solidly built as ever, yet fresh and contemporary with a focus on driver aids that made long journeys effortless. The W221 was also in some ways a return to more solidly built cars, with hardly a creak or groan audible even in high-mileage, 20-year-old examples.
- Improved Active Distance Assist Distronic Plus, Pre-Safe braking system and Blind Spot Assist
- Active Night View Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist
- The first car in the luxury class with a hybrid drive and a lithium-ion battery (not sold in India)
W222 (2013-2020): The Digital Flagship
By 2013, the S-Class had entered the digital age with the W222. Its design was sleeker and more refined, with full LED lighting and no incandescent bulbs anywhere. The Magic Body Control suspension scanned the road ahead to deliver unmatched comfort, while the fully digital dashboard set new standards for cabin technology. Mercedes also revived the Maybach sub-brand, offering an even more opulent version of the S-Class for those who demanded the very best. What made the W222 unique was its ability to redefine luxury for a new generation, combining digital sophistication with traditional opulence.
- First car entirely without traditional bulbs
- Road Surface Scan identified potholes in advance
- Magic Body Control adapts the chassis and suspension as per the Road Surface Scan
- Energising wellness control merged various in-car systems to boost wellness
- The Maybach S-Class was also introduced in 2014
Dipan Sur
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
Viraaj Bhatnagar
