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Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse and predecessors
1972 – 1980
Germany
Mercedes-Benz built the S-Klasse and predecessors from 1972 to 1980. Buyers could choose between petrol and diesel engines, from 117 to 286 hp. Compared with the previous generation (1967 – 1972), peak power rose from 250 to 286 hp, and minimum weight went down by 16,041 kg.
Body styleNot specified
Production1972 – 1980
Variants9
FuelDiesel, Petrol
Key specifications (range)
Power117 – 286 hp
0–100 km/h7.2 – 10.6 s
Top speed200 – 241 km/h
Fuel economy19.6 L/100 km
Rear Wheel Drive
Similar cars
| Variant | Fuel | Power | 0–100 | Top | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 SD 4AT RWD (117 HP) 3.0 L · 5 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Diesel | 117 hp | — | — | 4-speed automatic |
| 280 S 4MT RWD (158 HP0 2.7 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 158 hp | — | 200 | Manual, 4 Speed |
| 280 SE 4MT RWD (185 HP) 2.7 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 185 hp | 10.5 s | 203 | 4-manual speed |
| 280 SEL 4MT RWD (185 HP) 2.7 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 185 hp | 10.6 s | 200 | 4-manual speed |
| 350 SE V8 4AT RWD (204 HP) 3.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 204 hp | 9.5 s | 204 | 4-speed automatic |
| 350 SEL V8 4AT RWD (204 HP) 3.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 204 hp | 9.5 s | 204 | 4-speed automatic |
| 450 SE 4AT RWD (220 HP) 4.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 220 hp | 8.4 s | 212 | 4-speed automatic |
| 450 SEL 4AT RWD (220 HP0 4.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 220 hp | 8.4 s | 212 | Automatic, 4 Speed |
| 450 SEL V8 3AT RWD (286 HP) 6.8 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 286 hp | 7.2 s | 241 | Automatic, 3 Speed |
Engine
- Cylinders
- L5
- Displacement
- 3005 cm3 (183 ci)
- Power
- 86 KW @ 4600 RPM117 HP @ 4600 RPM115 BHP @ 4600 RPM
- Torque
- 148 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM200 Nm @ 2400 RPM
- Fuel System
- Indirect Injection
- Fuel
- Diesel
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 195/70 R14V
Dimensions
- Length
- 199.2 in (5060 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.1 in (1,519/1,501 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 116.5 in (2959 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Engine
- Cylinders
- L6
- Displacement
- 2746 cm3 (168 ci)
- Power
- 116 KW @ 5500 RPM158 HP @ 5500 RPM156 BHP @ 5500 RPM
- Torque
- 166 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM225 Nm @ 4000 RPM
- Fuel System
- Carburetor
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 124 mph (200 km/h)
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- Manual, 4 Speed
Brakes
- Front
- Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 195/70 R14H
Dimensions
- Length
- 195.3 in (4961 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.1 in (1,519/1,501 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 112.8 in (2865 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Engine
- Cylinders
- L6
- Displacement
- 2746 cm3 (168 ci)
- Power
- 136 KW @ 6000 RPM185 HP @ 6000 RPM182 BHP @ 6000 RPM
- Torque
- 177 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM240 Nm @ 4500 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 126 mph (203 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 10.5 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-manual speed
Brakes
- Front
- Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 195/70 VR14
Dimensions
- Length
- 195.3 in (4961 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.9/59.3 in (1,521/1,506 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 112.8 in (2865 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3560 lbs (1615 kg)
Engine
- Cylinders
- L6
- Displacement
- 2746 cm3 (168 ci)
- Power
- 136 KW @ 6000 RPM185 HP @ 6000 RPM182 BHP @ 6000 RPM
- Torque
- 177 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM240 Nm @ 4500 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 124 mph (200 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 10.6 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-manual speed
Brakes
- Front
- Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 195/65 R15V
Dimensions
- Length
- 199.2 in (5060 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.3 in (1,519/1,506 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 116.5 in (2959 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3571 lbs (1620 kg)
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 3499 cm3 (214 ci)
- Power
- 150 KW @ 5800 RPM204 HP @ 5800 RPM201 BHP @ 5800 RPM
- Torque
- 211 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM286 Nm @ 4000 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 127 mph (204 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 9.5 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/70 VR14
Dimensions
- Length
- 195.3 in (4961 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.1 in (1,519/1,501 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 112.8 in (2865 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3692 lbs (1675 kg)
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 3499 cm3 (214 ci)
- Power
- 150 KW @ 5800 RPM204 HP @ 5800 RPM201 BHP @ 5800 RPM
- Torque
- 211 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM286 Nm @ 4000 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 127 mph (204 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 9.5 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/70 R14V
Dimensions
- Length
- 199.2 in (5060 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.1 in (1,519/1,501 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 112.8 in (2865 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4520 cm3 (276 ci)
- Power
- 162 KW @ 5000 RPM220 HP @ 5000 RPM217 BHP @ 5000 RPM
- Torque
- 266 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM360 Nm @ 3250 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 132 mph (212 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 8.4 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/70 R14V
Dimensions
- Length
- 195.3 in (4961 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.9/59.3 in (1,521/1,506 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 112.8 in (2865 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3847 lbs (1745 kg)
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4520 cm3 (276 ci)
- Power
- 162 KW @ 5000 RPM220 HP @ 5000 RPM217 BHP @ 5000 RPM
- Torque
- 266 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM360 Nm @ 3250 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 132 mph (212 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 8.4 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- Automatic, 4 Speed
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65 R15V
Dimensions
- Length
- 199.2 in (5060 mm)
- Width
- 73.5 in (1867 mm)
- Height
- 56 in (1422 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.1 in (1,519/1,501 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 116.5 in (2959 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3902 lbs (1770 kg)
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 6834 cm3 (417 ci)
- Power
- 210 KW @ 4250 RPM286 HP @ 4250 RPM282 BHP @ 4250 RPM
- Torque
- 406 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM550 Nm @ 2800 RPM
- Fuel System
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Performance
- Top Speed
- 150 mph (241 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 7.2 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- Automatic, 3 Speed
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 215/70 VR 14
Dimensions
- Length
- 199.2 in (5060 mm)
- Width
- 73.6 in (1869 mm)
- Height
- 55.5 in (1410 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 59.8/59.1 in (1,519/1,501 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 116.5 in (2959 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.3 in (160 mm)
- Aerodynamics (Cd)
- 0.42
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 4288 lbs (1945 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 12 mpg US (19.6 L/100Km)
Length4,961 – 5,060 mm
Width1,867 – 1,869 mm
Height1,410 – 1,422 mm
Wheelbase2,865 – 2,959 mm
Curb weight1,615 – 1,945 kg
Torque200 – 550 Nm
Ranges across all 9 variants of this generation.
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1951 – 1954 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1951 – 1957 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1952 – 1956 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1954 – 1959 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1957 – 1962 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1958 – 1962 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1959 – 1968 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1964 – 1981 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1965 – 1972 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1967 – 1972 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1972 – 1980 S-Klasse and predecessorsViewing
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1979 – 1991 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1991 – 1994 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1994 – 1998 S-Klasse and predecessors -
1998 – 2002 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2002 – 2005 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2005 – 2009 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2009 – 2013 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2013 – 2017 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2017 – 2020 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2020 – 2025 S-Klasse and predecessors -
2026 – present S-Klasse and predecessors