Production chronology1972–1980
Sourced production or model lifecycle range used by the main catalog timeline.
Wikipedia infobox ↗9 years
← Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz / Model record
Mercedes-BenzW116
Production1972–1980
Recorded originGermany
Classpassenger car
Also known asMercedes-Benz S-Class (W116)
Power286 hp
Built473,035 units
Background
The Mercedes-Benz W 116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980. The W 116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although some earlier sedan models had already been designated unofficially with the letter S for "special class". The W 116 was selected as European Car of the Year in 1974.
Text adapted from “Mercedes-Benz W116” on Wikipedia ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · retrieved 2026-07
Chronology ledger
Dates with their meaning intact
Netherlands RDW first-admission observations1977
First-admission years observed in Dutch vehicle registrations; this is market evidence, not a worldwide production range.
Netherlands RDW ↗1 year
Research notes
First Mercedes-Benz generation officially marketed as 'S-Class'; from 1978 the first production car with an electronic 4-wheel ABS option. Won the 1974 European Car of the Year award.