1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
First generation · W116 1972–1980
The first car officially badged 'S-Class' (Sonderklasse). A safety-focused flagship that introduced the 450 SEL 6.9 V8 and, in 1978, the world's first anti-lock braking system (ABS) as an option.
Photo: “1972 Mercedes-Benz 350 SE (W 116) sedan (2015-07-24) 01” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain . Cropped to 16:9.
The 1972 model year
Overview
The W116, launched in 1972, was the first Mercedes-Benz officially marketed as the 'S-Class' (from the German Sonderklasse, 'special class'). A safety-focused full-size luxury sedan, it set the template for the flagship line: the latest engineering and safety technology in the company's most prestigious car.
Specifications
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Production
- 473,035
Year over year
What changed
- First car officially badged 'S-Class' (Sonderklasse).
- Safety-led design; the flagship-debuts-new-tech pattern begins here.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- A 1970s flagship: rust, hydraulics, and the complex 6.9-liter V8's systems are the chief concerns on survivors.
Worth knowing
Notable
- The 450 SEL 6.9 was the high-performance V8 flagship; ABS became optional in 1978.
Sources
Other First generation years
Explore the W116 generation → All First generation · W116 years →