Mercedes-Benz Classic S-Class – always ahead of its time Tradition and future – from the Simplex to the S-Class Being a role model means leading the way. Since the ear- enclosed passenger compartment, offered a degree of liest days of the automobile, the top-of-the-line models motoring comfort unattained by conventional “motor car- from Mercedes-Benz have been the most well-known and riages”. In short, the Simplex 60 hp transformed the auto- famous ambassadors of German automotive engineer- mobile into a form of conveyance acceptable in polite ing. With groundbreaking innovations, they have set the society. Emperors and kings, industrialists and celebrities standards for passenger car development in general. This placed their orders with the Stuttgart-based company – tradition is still alive today and will, from the summer of the name Mercedes became a byword for luxury and com- 2013, find its continuation in a model series that carries fort on wheels. forward the prestigious name of the S-Class into the future. This reputation spurred generations of designers and The roots of this model series date back to the origins of engineers always to give their best – from the early years the Mercedes brand: in 1903, Wilhelm Maybach, chief of the motor car through to the new S-Class: over 110 designer at Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, developed the years of brand history, packed with innovations, patents Mercedes Simplex 60 hp, a new top-of-the-range model and ideas that have revolutionised the motor car. that was available also in the form of a luxurious touring saloon. It was an automobile worthy of every superlative – And the story is set to continue: just like each of its elegant and exclusive, stately and fast – an automobile predecessor models, the future S-Class will once again that opened up new perspectives for the high society be more than a car’s length ahead of its time, setting of the day and which, thanks to its lavish spaciousness, new standards in many areas of automotive engineering – seats in the style of comfortable armchairs and fully because being a role model means leading the way. Access additional information and videos on the various S-Class ranges. Here’s how: 1. Download the junaio augmented reality app onto your mobile device for free from the App Store or Google Play. 2. Launch junaio once installed. 3. Scan in the QR code opposite to launch the Mercedes-Benz Classic channel. 4. Hold your mobile device over the pages marked with the symbol in order to start the video. Introduction 1 The evolution of Mercedes-Benz luxury saloons 1903 – 1905 1928 – 1933 1930 – 1938 1937 – 1942 1951 – 1962 1951 – 1954 1954 – 1959 1959 – 1965 1963 – 1981 1965 – 1972 1972 – 1980 1979 – 1991 1991 – 1998 1998 – 2005 2005 – 2013 From 2013 Mercedes Simplex 60 hp Mercedes-Benz Nürburg Mercedes-Benz 770 Mercedes-Benz 320 Mercedes-Benz 300 Mercedes-Benz 220 Mercedes-Benz 220/ Mercedes-Benz 220 Mercedes-Benz 600 Mercedes-Benz 250 S Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 08) “Grand Mercedes” (W 142) (W 186 and W 189) (W 187) 220 S/220 SE to 300 SE long (W 100) to 300 SEL 6.3 (116 model series) (126 model series) (140 model series) (220 model series) (221 model series) (222 model series) (W 07) (W 180/W 128) (W 111/W 112) (W 108/W 109) The Mercedes Simplex The Nürburg 460 (W 08) In 1930, Mercedes-Benz Launched in 1937, the The Mercedes-Benz 300 Alongside the spectacular Introduced in 1954, the Launched in 1959, the Unveiled at the 1963 IAA The saloons of model In 1972, the luxury-class In 1979, the 126-series The 140-series S-Class The new 220-series S-Class The pioneering technical The best car in the world – 60 hp is an early example made its debut in 1928 as unveiled the 770 “Grand Mercedes-Benz 320 (W 186) is today known 300 model, Mercedes- 220 model, also known 220, 220 S and 220 SE International Motor Show, series W 108 and W 109, saloons with which S-Class impressed with of 1991 was presented of 1998 impressed not only innovations of the 221- each generation of the of Mercedes-Benz’s the first Mercedes-Benz Mercedes” (W 07) as the (W 142) was a modern primarily by its nickname, Benz presented a second internally as the 220 a “fintails” (W 111) owed the 600 model (W 100) which replaced the 6-cyl- Mercedes-Benz had been its aerodynamically opti- as the new flagship of the with its coupé-like styling series S-Class launched in S-Class has earned itself unique tradition of luxury- series-produced passenger ultimate in automotive luxury-class touring car. the “Adenauer Mercedes”. luxury-segment saloon (W 180), was the first their nickname to their became the new flagship inder “fintails” in 1965, setting automotive stand- mised form and syste- Mercedes-Benz brand. In but also with weight 2005 included a multiplic- this epithet anew. Thus, class automobiles. This car to feature an 8-cylin- engineering. This luxurious Its swing axle chassis with Konrad Adenauer, the first at the 1951 International Mercedes-Benz 6-cylin- distinctive rear fins. These saloon of the Mercedes- were characterised by ards for a number of dec- matic weight savings developing this model, the savings combined with fur- ity of assistance systems, “perfection down to the spacious and luxurious der engine. The name prestige saloon for the independent wheel sus- chancellor of the Federal Motor Show in Frankfurt: der model to feature a were officially known as Benz brand. It was also their timelessly elegant ades were given their own through the use of, for ex- engineers and technicians ther enhancements in such as the new and im- last detail” was once touring saloon from 1904 “Nürburg” was a refer- most discerning clientele pension made for safe Republic of Germany, the 220, which likewise unitised-body design. Its “sight lines” on account a vehicle worthy of every styling and generously name. The new 116-series ample, new light alloy V8 focused their attention safety and comfort. 2002 proved DISTRONIC PLUS again the challenge that is from the private col- ence to the Nürburgring was fitted with a powerful driving and a comfortable was among the first us- featured a cutting-edge modern, spacious “ponton of their function as a park- superlative: its 6.3-litre proportioned windows. S-Class was characterised engines. The new S-Class on maximum comfort – not saw the introduction of adaptive cruise control faced the developers of lection of Emil Jellinek, race track, which had 8-cylinder compressor ride. ers of this new flagship 6-cylinder engine and was body”, which Mercedes- ing aid. V8 engine offered an Like their predecessor, by a comprehensive safety was also a trendsetter in least through larger dimen- the PRE-SAFE anticipa- and Brake Assist Plus, the forthcoming model whose daughter Mercedes been inaugurated just one engine designed to deliver Mercedes-Benz model of enthusiastically embraced Benz had launched just extremely impressive per- they were available in a ver- concept with numerous terms of design. sions and double glazing tory occupant protection which brought the S-Class series. gave her name to the year earlier. The back- effortlessly superior per- From 1939, an additional 1951 and was henceforth by the market. six months earlier in the This new generation of formance as well as a sion with a 10-cm-longer detail innovations. for optimised acoustic in- system, which prepares another step closer to Stuttgart-based automo- ground to this choice of formance. overdrive unit reduced only ever to be seen being mid-range 180 model, luxury-segment saloons top speed in excess of wheelbase. In 1978, the Mercedes- The airbag, now a key ele- sulation. This generation passengers for a possibly realising the vision of safe, This new luxury saloon tive brand. name was a spectacular engine speed and fuel con- chauffeured around in a Its impressive performance offered hitherto unknown marked quite a special 200 km/h. A special highlight was Benz S-Class became ment of automotive safety, of the S-Class also intro- imminent collision by au- accident-free motoring. from Mercedes-Benz will endurance trial in which This new model, which re- sumption while enhancing Mercedes-Benz 300. caused the specialist standards of spacious- milestone in automotive the 300 SEL 6.3, which the world’s first series- made its debut in the duced a pioneering safety tomatically initiating mea- merge top-flight mobility Presented in 1903, the a 460 model covered a presented a continua- both travel comfort and press to make reference ness and comfort. history, as these were Alongside the five- to six- was launched in 1968. produced vehicle to be S-Class of 1981, thereby innovation to the world of sures designed to ensure The Mercedes-Benz S 400 with responsibility at the Mercedes Simplex 60 hp distance of 20,000 kilo- tion of Mercedes-Benz’s efficiency. At the same On being launched at the to the vehicle’s “sports the first series-produced seater version, which was This new top-of-the-line equipped with the ABS finding its way into series automotive engineering: their optimum protection. HYBRID of 2009 was the highest level. Numerous followed in the innovative metres in 13 days round decades-long tradition of time, a so-called exterior first IAA International Mo- car credentials”, while its With the launch of the re- motor vehicles to feature aimed predominantly at model featured the pow- anti-lock braking system, production.