What the car is and where it came from
The Mercedes-Benz W116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980. It was the first Mercedes-Benz model officially called S-Class. Friedrich Geiger designed it. Development began in 1966. The design was finalized in December 1969.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is a rear-wheel-drive, four-door sedan with independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. It uses a larger, separate platform from the W114/W115. Its layout places the engine longitudinally ahead of the front axle.
What it gets right
It establishes authority through proportion, restraint, and structural integrity. Its crumple zones and optional four-wheel anti-lock brakes were pioneering in 1972. Its design conveys purpose without ornament.
What it does not
It does not offer all-wheel drive. It does not use a unibody structure shared with smaller models. It does not feature electronic stability control or airbags — those came later.
What it changed
It introduced the official S-Class designation and launched Mercedes-Benz’s corporate styling theme, which lasted until 1997. It made crash safety and driver assistance features central to flagship sedan design.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for buyers who prioritise durability, passive safety, and understated presence over agility or driver engagement. It is not for enthusiasts seeking light steering, tight packaging, or dynamic feedback.
Is it worth your time
Yes. It redefined Mercedes-Benz’s identity and set safety and engineering benchmarks that shaped luxury sedans for decades.
