[Aditya]

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is widely regarded as the best car in the world. Over the years, it has been the first production car to be equipped with new features. With each new generation, this car has just gotten better with more advanced features. Just about everyone loves the big S. So, among the various generations, please vote and let us know which is your favourite.

First-gen (W116)

Introduced in in 1972 as a successor to the W108 / W109 series sedans, the W116 is the first car to have carried the S-Class designation. It remained in production till 1980. Engine options included 2.8L, 3.5L, 4.5L and 6.8L petrol powerplants along with a 3.0L turbodiesel unit. Automatic as well as manual transmissions were available. It had a hydropneumatic suspension and later models came with ABS - something radical back then.

Second-gen (W126)

The W126 was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1979 and went on sale in 1980. Staying on sale till 1992, it has been the longest-running S-Class sedan ever. It was more aerodynamic compared to the W116 which it replaced. The car came with a wide range of engines including 2.6L, 2.8L, 3.0L, 3.5L, 3.8L, 4.2L, 5.0L and 5.6L petrol units and 3.0L and 3.5L turbodiesel motors. Gearbox options included automatic as well as manual transmission. Cars fitted with the 5.6L petrol were in their day the most powerful Mercedes-Benz production cars ever built. It was the first production car worldwide to meet the criteria of the frontal offset crash. It was also the first S-Class to be fitted with airbags.

Third-gen (W140)

The W140 made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991. The car's design was even more aerodynamic than the W126. For the first time, the Mercedes star was positioned not on top of the radiator grille, but slightly to the rear on the bonnet. Powertrain options included 2.8L, 3.2L, 4.2L, 5.0L and 6.0L petrol engines + 3.0L and 3.5L turbodiesels. Like earlier generations, the W140 came with manual and automatic transmission options. The 6.0-liter V12 engine was not just the first series-produced twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz passenger car, but also the most powerful Mercedes-Benz car engine of its day, with an output of 402 BHP and 580 Nm. The V12 offered the world’s largest catalytic converter unit for passenger cars. The plastic components used were not only recyclable and clearly identifiable, they were also to a large extent manufactured using regranulated plastics. The W140 also featured the first soundproofed glass windows to be fitted to a passenger car. Features such as ultrasonic reversing aid PARKTRONIC, electronic stability programme (ESP), ASR acceleration skid control system, brake assist, side airbags, seat occupancy sensors to operate the front passenger airbags, rain sensor, luggage nets in the boot and front passenger footwell, xenon headlamps with wash/wipe system and dynamic headlamp range adjustment were introduced with the W140.

Fourth-gen (W220)

The W220 replaced the W140 in 1998. The car's design was not as imposing as its predecessor's. It came with over 30 technical innovations, including the DISTRONIC autonomous intelligent cruise control, navigation system with integrated congestion warning and automatic cylinder shut-off in the V8 engine of the S 500. It also get the PRE-SAFE safety system. Window airbags came as standard and stretched from the A-pillar to the C-pillar and side airbags were fitted to all doors. Other safety features included seatbelt force limiters for the front seats and outer seats in the rear, front passenger airbag with two-stage gas generator and an automatic front passenger/child seat recognition system. The car came with air suspension and Cockpit Management, Data System (COMAND) infotainment and seats with massage and ventilation functions. Also available as was the Active Body Control suspension system. Engine options included 2.8L, 3.2L, 3.7L, 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.4L, 5.5L, 5.8L, 6.0L and 6.3L petrol units and 3.2L and 4.0L diesels. The most powerful unit in the range was the 6.0L twin turbo V12 petrol that put out a whopping 604 BHP. This was the first S-Class to be sold without the option of a manual transmission.

Fifth-gen (W221)

The W221 replaced the W220 in 2005. It had a more muscular body and even more equipment than its predecessor. Engine options included 3.5L, 4.7L, 5.5L, 6.0L and 6.2L petrol units, a 3.5L hybrid and 2.1L and 3.0L diesels. The car was loaded with technology including an infrared Night View Assist feature, DISTRONIC radar guided cruise control, the latest Mercedes-Benz pre-collision system, adaptive braking and bi-xenon headamps. The night view assist system provided the driver with a much greater range of vision than conventional low-beam headlamps, enabling the course of the road, pedestrians, cyclists and obstacles to be recognised much sooner. Night view assist had the same range as main-beam headlamps, but did not dazzle oncoming drivers. The system also reduced driver stress during journeys at night, so that the driver was kept alert enough to respond in time in critical situations.

Sixth-gen (W222)

Unveiled in 2013, the W222 features a sleeker body compared to the W221. It is powered a range of engines including 3.0L, 4.0 L, 4.7L, 5.5L and 6.0L petrol units, a 3.5L petrol hybrid, a 3.0L Plug-in Hybrid, a 2.2L Bluetec diesel Hybrid and 2.9L and 3.0L diesel powertplants. This is the first car which does not have a single light bulb in it. It has nearly 500 LEDs, 56 in the front headlamps, 36 in the tail lamps and 300 in the interior. Some noteworthy new features include Magic Body Control, a 2-spoke steering wheel in pre-facelift and Plug-in hybrid. Mercedes also introduced a Maybach version with a reworked body and more features.

Read Team-BHP's review of the W222 at this link.

Read Team-BHP's review of the W222 facelift at this link.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the International Scene. Thanks for sharing!

Believe it or not, my favourite is the current W222 generation. I think this is the best S-Class ever made. Not just in terms of tech (which is obvious), but also in terms of charisma, style & classiness which IMHO separate the S-Class from the 7-Series & A8. The W222 is my dream S-Class and the one I'd want to own.

No.2 is the W126. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the W140's gangster looks & king-size presence. However, between the two, I'd choose the W126 for its timelessness, mechanical purity & simplicity.

Can anyone really argue with this? Related Thread (A W126 joins the family: '91 Mercedes 420 SEL)

[alpha1]

W140 (S class) and similarly W124 (E class) are the most iconic Mercs for me.
Perhaps a result of observing too much in & around Delhi's embassy area during the growing years?

[vikramvicky1984]

Voted for the mighty W140, complex, painful to own now but so desirable.
It is only one I have ever driven, that too a LHD S500
W126 would be second.


Watching if anyone opts for w220- which in my opinion aged horribly

[1100D]

One will need to add the W108/109 to the list! My vote will go to it! The specific version of it in question, being the 300SEL 6.3. Not only was it the first of the AMGs, but it was rare for, what's essentially, a limousine (Red-pig) to take on eshtablished sportscars in motor-racing and still managing to fare extremely well against most them!

[revver]

Originally Posted by 1100D

One will need to add the W108/109 to the list! My vote will go to it!

Absolutely second 1100D here. I personally love the classic design with the vertical stacked headlamps of the W108 & W115. Interiors were equally beautiful as well on them.

Opted for the W140 here as i just love their formidable presence on road.

Lovely thread Aditya

[vb-saan]

The W222, followed by the W126. The current one has the right proportion and presence, looks modern and yet very elegant. And the W126 has got that timeless feel attached to it.

And if I have to pick the least favorite, that will be the W220!

[BANDHAV]

I rest my case, my lord.



Image Source - https://www.instagram.com/p/B8fizmLnATQ/

[V12Doc]

I have driven almost every generation of S Class , They were competitive but the w222 has literally thrown the competition out of the game. It's elegant, stately, timeless , packed with features , just what every limousine buyer wants. Comparing it to the 7 (7 is not as comfortable and elegant and the interiors are generations behind), A8 ( I have no idea what Audi is trying to achieve, bland design and nothing elegant about the interior) or XJ ( Still looks amazing but backseat and interiors suffer) .

I even compared the all options ticked W222 with the respective year Ghost and Flying Spur and it bested them out too when it comes to experience. The new Flying Spur might have it beat on experience whereas the Ghost is still a generation behind.

[Aditya]

Originally Posted by 1100D

One will need to add the W108/109 to the list! My vote will go to it!

Originally Posted by revver

Absolutely second 1100D here. I personally love the classic design with the vertical stacked headlamps of the W108

As much as I love the W108, I cannot included it in this poll - simply because it was not called the S-Class back then.

Coming to my favourite, it has to be the W222. It looks very, very classy indeed and the technology is mind-boggling. As is the case with all generations of the S-Class, the cabin is the roomiest among its rivals as well.

The W126 would be my second choice. Still looks nice.

[V.Narayan]

First Generation W116 forever. Nothing even comes close to the original. Like with movies the original outshines all sequels. In my mind the W116 represented Mercedes' acme of engineering excellence matched with comfort, class and sheer good looks.

[lamborghini]

Undoubtedly the W140.
It was the first S-Class I saw in flesh, and was totally blown away by it.
Heck, it was one of the first Mercs I experienced too!

[ChiragM]

Has to be the W222 for me.

Originally Posted by GTO

Believe it or not, my favourite is the current W222 generation. I think this is the best S-Class ever made. Not just in terms of tech (which is obvious), but also in terms of charisma, style & classiness which IMHO separate the S-Class from the 7-Series & A8.

Took a test drive of the car 5 years back and still remember each and every moment with it:


I like the facelift S-Class more. Ended up getting a 1:18 model of the car. Some pics:

[Kashish]

The 6th Gen (W222) is my most favourite S-Class. Seeing 2-year old examples change hands at 60 odd lakhs makes matters worse

[ds.raikkonen]

When I had read about the 600 which had a hydraulic system to operate the doors, boot etc, I was completely sold (I think it was featured in Top Gear at some point). Of course it wasn't known as the S class at that time.

From the list, I would go for the W220, especially the S65 AMG variant, a proper S-Class has to have a V12!