The Mercedes-Benz W126 series premiered in late 1979 as 1980 model (and 1981 in USA and Australia). The Mercedes-Benz W126 line introduced a host of new safety features, and ushered in the next phase of Mercedes-Benz styling. The Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class was also the first luxury car to win the prestigious Car of the Year award from Australia's Wheels Magazine, which it did in 1981. The Mercedes-Benz W126 line lasted from 1979 through 1991, a production run of over twelve years. Total sales of the Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class sedans reached 818,036 units, with an additional 74,060 coupes sold. These sales figures make the Mercedes-Benz W126 the most successful S-Class line in Mercedes-Benz history.In 1981, the Mercedes-Benz W126 introduced the modern airbag, as patented by Mercedes-Benz in 1971, to the world as an additional measure of occupant protection. Other safety innovations on the Mercedes-Benz W126 included passenger side airbags (in 1986), seat-belt pretensioners, and traction control. In the cabin, additional courtesy and reading lamps, along with heated seats and a more advanced climate control system, added to the luxurious interior environment. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard.
Although the top of range Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 of the previous generation was not directly replaced, the Mercedes-Benz W126 carried forward the hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an option on the 500SEL. A new cruise control system was offered as well. Abandoning the roadster based coupes, the Mercedes-Benz W126 introduced a two door variant, the SEC coupé. The longevity of the Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class model cycle was aided by a mid-cycle update in 1986, an upgrade which previously was not done in S-Class generations. During the update of the Mercedes-Benz W126 model S-Class, a facelift was performed and engine upgrades occurred.
Although the top of range Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 of the previous generation was not directly replaced, the Mercedes-Benz W126 carried forward the hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an option on the 500SEL. A new cruise control system was offered as well. Abandoning the roadster based coupes, the Mercedes-Benz W126 introduced a two door variant, the SEC coupé. The longevity of the Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class model cycle was aided by a mid-cycle update in 1986, an upgrade which previously was not done in S-Class generations. During the update of the Mercedes-Benz W126 model S-Class, a facelift was performed and engine upgrades occurred.
Engines
Powerplants on the Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class included straight-6 and V8 engines. Most sales came from the diesel model in the United States and straight-6 models in Europe, although the V8 models were praised by contemporary journalists. During the W126 mid-cycle update in 1986, both the straight-6 and V8 engines were upgraded in several models to different displacement levels (six-cylinder upgraded from 2.8L to 3.0L, eight-cylinder upgraded from 3.8L to 4.2L, and 5.0L to 5.6L).
Notably, the 500SEL has an interesting place in US history, despite not being offered in that country. American demand for this particular car drove the establishment of a large grey market. The detuned, yet very expensive standard US specification 380 SE/SEL/SEC/SL was underpowered, according to contemporary reports, so 25,000 units per year of the parallel import vehicle were sold in the early 1980s. That prompted then Mercedes-Benz of North America to lobby for the elimination of parallel import in 1988.
Notably, the 500SEL has an interesting place in US history, despite not being offered in that country. American demand for this particular car drove the establishment of a large grey market. The detuned, yet very expensive standard US specification 380 SE/SEL/SEC/SL was underpowered, according to contemporary reports, so 25,000 units per year of the parallel import vehicle were sold in the early 1980s. That prompted then Mercedes-Benz of North America to lobby for the elimination of parallel import in 1988.
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