Mercedes-Benz W140
| Mercedes-Benz W140 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz (1991-1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998-1999) |
| Production | 1991–1999 432,732 built[1] Saloon: 406,710 Coupé: 26,022 |
| Assembly | Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size Luxury car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | I6V8V12
|
| Transmission | 4-speed 4G-TRONIC automatic 5-speed 5G-TRONIC automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Sedan
|
| Length | Sedan
|
| Width | Sedan
|
| Height | Sedan
|
| Curb weight | Sedan
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W126 |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz W220 Mercedes-Benz C215 |
- For a complete overview of all S-Class models see Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz W140 was a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by the German automotive company Mercedes-Benz. The car premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, with the first examples rolling off the production line on August 6, 1991. Short (SE) and long (SEL) wheelbase sedans were offered initially, as well as the coupé (SEC) body style from January 1992. Like all Mercedes-Benz lines, the W140 S-Class was rationalized in late 1993 using the new "letter-first" nomenclature. The SE/SEL/SEC cars were renamed the S-Class, with alphanumerical designations inverted. For example, the 500SE became the S500, and the 500SEL became the S500L. In 1996 the coupé models following a mid-life update were separated into the CL-class. The W140 series S-Class was superseded by the W220 S-Class in 1999 after an eight year production run, the coupé by the C215 CL-Class for model year 2000.
History
As with its predecessor, the W140 was the first of the "next generation" of Mercedes-Benz models to feature the company's new design theme.
In 1991, to compete with the Lexus LS 400, a series of additional features were rushed for the launch of the W140.[2] The W140 introduced innovations such as double-pane window glazing, power-assisted closing for doors and boot lid, electric windows which lowered back down upon encountering an obstruction, rear-parking markers which rose from the rear wings (discontinued on later vehicles, and replaced with sonar-assisted parking) and a heating system which, if desired, continued to emit warm air after the engine was turned off. For details like this, the W140 is often known as the last Mercedes to be "overengineered," a Mercedes trait that was costing the company in product delays and overbudgeting. According to Motor Trend, this action reportedly caused project cost overruns and resulted in the departure of Wolfgang Peter, Daimler-Benz's chief engineer.[2] The vehicle is believed to have cost Mercedes-Benz over $1 billion to develop. For the consumer, the W140 cost a considerable 25 percent more than its predecessor, the W126.
The W140 was to feature Hydropneumatic suspension as an option, but it was dropped shortly before launch for unknown reasons. Mercedes chose to launch air-suspension in the next generation S-Class in 2000. Following the mid-year facelift in 1994, Mercedes-Benz made Electronic Stability Control an optional fixture to both sedan and coupé body styles in the W140 range. Both the sedan and coupé body styles were equipped with Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) as a standard feature.
Like its predecessor, the car was available in two wheelbase lengths (short W140 and long V140) along with the C140 coupé. In 1992, a new 6 litre 408 horsepower V12 engine joined the lineup for the first time with the 600SE, 600SEL and 600SEC. A "V12" badge was affixed to the C-pillar.
In 1993, the 408 horsepower V12 engine was slightly detuned to 389 horsepower to comply with tighter emission control regulations in the United States and Europe. The V8 models were tuned down from 322 horsepower to 315 horsepower.
The W140 S600 was available with a leather dashboard and a suede headliner, unlike the V8 and inline 6-cylinder models. In 1994 the S600 also came with a wood/leather steering wheel, wood/leather gear shifter, wood rear ashtray covers, and two tone leather seating – further distinctions from its lower rung siblings.
Following the new Mercedes-Benz tradition of mid-life facelifts (starting with the W126 in 1986), the W140 received a minor facelift in 1994. The clear turn signal indicator lenses on the front were the most obvious change, as was the grille including a new and distinctive one for S600's. Headlamps were fitted with separate low H7, H1 fog, and high H1 beam reflectors in 1995, pre 1995 used an H4 bulb and H3 for the fog lamp. In 1997 the two tone exterior bumpers were painted to match the upper portions of the vehicles and the rear indicator lenses became clear.
Height of the W140 production models varied between years (1992-94 W140 Sedan: 58.7 in; 1992-94 V140 Sedan: 58.9 in; 1995-96 W140 Sedan: 58.4 in; 1995-99 V140 Sedan: 58.3 in; C140 Coupe: 56.7 in; 1997-99 W140 Sedan: 58.5 in).
Death of Diana, Princess of Wales
It has been noted that Princess Diana died on 31 August 1997 while travelling in a Mercedes-Benz S280 (W140), and it was an unfortunate side-effect of her high-profile death that the Mercedes' safety record was called into question. However, it is important to note that all of the car in question's safety systems functioned as designed, expanding both drivers' and passenger airbags and saving the life of Trevor Rees-Jones, Dodi Al-Fayed's bodyguard, who benefited from the front-passenger airbag. The fact that three of the car's four occupants were killed in the crash should be attributed more to the high speed of the vehicle, the intoxication of the driver and the fact that all four of the occupants were not wearing seatbelts. The Mercedes safety systems were circumvented by the driver's and passengers' decisions.
Models
| Body style | Chassis code | (Cal.) Years | Model | Engine | Notes | No. Built[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sedan | W140.135/W140.134 | 1996–1998 | S300‡ | 3.0 LOM606 I6 | Turbo-Diesel | 7,583 |
| 1991–1996 | 300SD/S350‡ | 3.5 L OM603 I6 | Turbo-Diesel | 20,518 | ||
| W140.028 | 1993–1998 | 300SE 2.8/S280‡ | 2.8 L M104 I6 | 22,784 | ||
| W140.032 | 1991–1993 | 300SE | 3.2 L M104 I6 | 183,441 | ||
| 1991–1993 | 300SEL | |||||
| 1993–1999 | S320 | |||||
| W140.042 | 1991–1993 | 400SE | 5.0 L M119 V8 | 49,468 | ||
| W140.043 | 1991–1993 | 400SEL | 4.2 L M119 V8 | |||
| 1993–1998 | S420 | |||||
| W140.051 | 1991–1993 | 500SEL | 5.0 L M119 V8 | 87,006 | ||
| 1993–1999 | S500 | |||||
| W140.057 | 1992–1993 | 600SEL | 6.0 L M120 V12 | 35,910 | ||
| 1993–1999 | S600 | |||||
| coupé | W140.063 | 1994–1998 | S420/CL420 | 4.2 L M119 V8 | 2,496 | |
| W140.070 | 1992–1993 | 500SEC | 5.0 L M119 V8 | 14,953 | ||
| 1993–1999 | S500/CL500 | |||||
| W140.076 | 1992–1993 | 600SEC | 6.0 L M120 V12 | 8,573 | ||
| 1993–1999 | S600/CL600 | |||||
| ‡ Note: swb only (119.7 in), SEL and all other sedan models also lwb (123.6 in) | ||||||
Features
Safety
The W140 S-Class introduced several safety innovations which have since become commonplace among many vehicles.[3]
- Braking system. The V8 and V12 W140 models distributed more braking power to the rear wheels, increasing stopping effectiveness. In 1996, the W140 received Brake Assist, which engaged during emergency maneuvers to boost braking power to maximum.
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) was introduced in 1996. ESP used on-board computers to improve vehicle handling response during difficult driving conditions. This was a Mercedes developed system, which has since been licensed to other manufacturers.
- Side airbags and seat occupancy sensors were introduced in 1996.
Comfort and convenience
- Double-paned soundproofed glass was a new S-Class innovation first fitted on the W140. This form of window glazing allowed for improved soundproofing, reduced condensation, and other insulation benefits.
- Electrically-operated exterior mirrors could be folded at the flick of a switch to ease driving in narrow spaces.
- 'Parameter steering' was a system which made low-speed driving easier by reducing the effort required to maneuver in speed-sensitive situations such as parking.
- Rear-parking markers, or guide rods. These rods extended from the rear corners of the trunk lid when in reverse, providing the driver with a guideline for rear maneuvers. In 1995, this system was replaced by the sonar-based Parktronic system which measured the distance of the bumpers to nearby obstacles.
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers.
- Electrically-operated automatic-dimming inside rear-view mirror that tied into the seat and steering wheel memory (first introduced on the R129 SL convertible).
- Orthopedic seats were an expensive option from the factory but consisted of several different air cushions in the seat that the user can inflate and deflate to find the perfect driving position.
- Dual-zone climate control.
- Reclining and heated rear seats (introduced with the W126 S-Class sedans).
- The climate control system could be set to operate for 20 minutes after the engine had been turned off.
Drivetrain technologies
- The W140 featured a newly-developed double wishbone front axle and a multi-link independent rear suspension.
Engines
| Engine | Cyl. | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 24V | I6 | 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) | 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) |
| 3.2 24V | I6 | 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) | 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) |
| 3.2 24V | I6 | 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) | 315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) |
| 4.2 32V | V8 | 279 PS (205 kW; 275 hp) | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) |
| 4.2 32V | V8 | 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) | 410 N⋅m (302 lb⋅ft) |
| 5.0 32V | V8 | 320 PS (235 kW; 316 hp) | 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) |
| 5.0 32V | V8 | 326 PS (240 kW; 322 hp) | 480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) |
| 6.0 48V | V12 | 394 PS (290 kW; 389 hp) | 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) |
| 6.0 48V | V12 | 408 PS (300 kW; 402 hp) | 580 N⋅m (428 lb⋅ft) |
| 3.5 12V TD | I6 | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) | 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) |
| 3.0 24V TD | I6 | 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) | 330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) |
References
Article citations
- ^ a b Kittler, Eberhard (2001). Deutsche Autos seit 1990, vol. 5. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02128-5.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b MacKenzie, Angus (2007-04). "2007 Lexus LS 460". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Top Speed W140 profile
Model history
- Schlegelmilch, Rainer W. (2004). Mercedes. Könemann. ISBN 3-8331-1056-2.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - Kevin Smith. "Mercedes-Benz 500SEC". Car and Driver (March 1993): 45–49.
- William Jeanes. "Mercedes-Benz 300SE". Car and Driver (March 1993): 126–127.
External links
- private W140 Homepage (English)
- private W140 Homepage (German)
- W140 Group Homepage From Japan (Japanese)
- Private W140 Homepage From Japan (Japanese)
- Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman W140