S-Class (W126)

1979-1991

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126)Photography coming soon

The S-Class that defined the luxury sedan for a generation. Bruno Sacco's design introduced the integrated bumper that became an industry standard. Over 818,000 built. The 560 SEL was the benchmark against which every luxury car was measured throughout the 1980s.

History

The W126 replaced the W116 as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan in 1979. Bruno Sacco's design was revolutionary: integrated body-color bumpers replaced the chrome blades of previous models, setting a trend that every manufacturer would follow.

The W126 was the first Mercedes to offer a driver's airbag (1981) and the first with a seatbelt pretensioner. Safety engineering was central to its development.

The range spanned from the 280 S to the 560 SEL, with the latter's 5.6-liter V8 producing 300 PS. The SEC coupe variants (380 SEC, 500 SEC, 560 SEC) offered pillarless elegance.

818,036 W126s were produced across sedan and coupe body styles in 12 years of production, making it the best-selling S-Class generation. The long-wheelbase 560 SEL became the default car for heads of state, business leaders, and anyone who wanted the best sedan in the world.

Clean 560 SELs now command EUR 25,000 to EUR 60,000.