Honest W126 S-Class
– 160hp from a straight six cylinder gasoline engine
– automatic transmission
– electr. sunroof with lifting device
– electr. outside mirror left
– electr. window lifter in front
– all around heat insulating glass, rear window heating
– heated front seats
– trailer coupling
A beautiful daily driver
Every Mercedes-Benz S-Class can claim a few superlatives, but if any beats all the rest in terms of popularity, it’s the W126. No other S-Class has been sold in such large numbers or over such a long period of time. The timelessly elegant sedan was designed by Bruno Sacco and unveiled at the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show. Thanks to an improved cW value and reduced weight, fuel consumption was down by around 10% compared with the previous model. In 1981, the coupé completed the range. The engine range included 6- and 8-cylinder engines with displacements of up to 5.6 liters and up to 220 kW (300 hp); 5- and 6-cylinder diesel engines were only available in sedans for the North American market. The W126 received a model update in 1985 and remained highly popular with politicians and celebrities around the world for many more years. Production in Germany ceased in 1991, but continued in South Africa until 1994. A total of 818,063 sedans and 74,060 coupes were produced. The W126 was prized for its excellent build quality and durability, and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s official car was not taken out of service until it had clocked up over 500,000 km.