Mercedes-Benz W140

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Mercedes-Benz W140
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (1991-1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998-1999)
Production	Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Assembly	1992–1999 432,732 built[1] Saloon: 406,710 Coupé: 26,022
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W126
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W220 Mercedes-Benz C215
Class	Full-size Luxury car
Body style(s)	2-door coupé 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	I6 3.0 & 3.4 L: OM603 Diesel 2.8 & 3.2 L: M104 V8 4.2 L: M119 5.0 L: M119 V12 6.0 L: M120
Transmission(s)	4-speed 4G-TRONIC automatic 5-speed 5G-TRONIC automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	Sedan 3040–3139 mm (119.7–123.6 in) Coupé 2944 mm (115.9 in)
Length	Sedan 5113 mm (201.3 in)−5213 mm (205.2 in) Coupé 201.3 in (5113 mm)
Width	Sedan 1886 mm (74.3 in) Coupé 74.6 in (1895 mm)
Height	Sedan 1486 mm (58.5 in) Coupé 56.2 in (1427 mm)
Curb weight	Sedan 1880 kg (4145 lb)−2190 kg (4828 lb) Coupé 2060 kg (4542 lb)−2240 kg (4938 lb)

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 marque 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, dropping the named distinction between body styles. The SE/SEL/SEC cars were renamed the S-Class, with alphanumerical designations inverted. For example the both 500SE and 500SEL became S500 regardless of wheelbase length. The coupé models were renamed in in late 1996 again, adopting the CL 420/500/600 name. The W140 series S-Class was superseded by the W220 S-Class in 1999 after an eight year production run, the coupé by the C215 CL-Class for model year 2000.

Contents 1 History 2 Princess Diana's death 3 Models 4 Features 4.1 Safety 4.2 Comfort and convenience 4.3 Drivetrain technologies 5 Engines 6 References 7 External links

[edit] 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. The W140 introduced new innovations such as double-pane window glazing , self-closing 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 a heating system which emitted warm air after the engine was turned off. The vehicle is believed to have cost Mercedes-Benz over $1 billion to develop.

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. For the consumer, the W140 cost a considerable 25 percent more than its predecessor, the W126. In addition, the intense pressure from Infiniti and Lexus led to adding more features and options as to set the W140 apart from the rest and to justify the higher price.

The W140 was to feature air suspension as an option, but Mercedes was still perfecting the technology and chose to launch air-suspension in the next generation S-Class in 2000. Following the mid-year facelift in 1995, 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 along with the shorter-wheelbased W140 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 1995 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 1997. 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 SWB Sedan: 58.7 in; 1992-94 LWB Sedan: 58.9 in; 1995-96 SWB Sedan: 58.4 in; 1995-99 LWB Sedan: 58.3 in; Coupe: 56.7 in; 1997-99 SWB Sedan: 58.5 in).

[edit] Princess Diana's death

Main article: Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

It has been noted that Diana, Princess of Wales died 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 none of the occupants was wearing a seatbelt - in all three instances, the vehicle's occupants were breaking the law. The Mercedes safety systems were circumvented by the driver's and passengers' decisions, and no blame should be laid upon on the S280.

[edit] Models

Body style	Chassis code	(Cal.) Years	Model	Engine	Notes	No. Built[1]
sedan	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.xxx	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
		1993–1998	S320
	W140.042	1991–1993	400SE	4.2 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.xxx	1994–1998	S420/CL420	4.2 L M116 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)

[edit] Features

[edit] Safety

The W140 S-Class introduced several safety innovations which have since become commonplace among many vehicles.^[2]

• 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.

[edit] 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.
• 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.
• The air conditioning system was still able to function for 20 minutes after the engine had been turned off.

[edit] Drivetrain technologies

• The W140 featured a newly-developed double wishbone front axle and a multi-link independent rear suspension.

[edit] Engines

Engine	Cyl.	Power	Torque
2.8 24V	I6	193 PS (190 hp/142 kW)	270 N·m (199 ft·lbf)
3.2 24V	I6	231 PS (228 hp/170 kW)	310 N·m (229 ft·lbf)
3.2 24V	I6	231 PS (228 hp/170 kW)	315 N·m (232 ft·lbf)
4.2 32V	V8	279 PS (275 hp/205 kW)	400 N·m (295 ft·lbf)
4.2 32V	V8	286 PS (282 hp/210 kW)	410 N·m (302 ft·lbf)
5.0 32V	V8	320 PS (316 hp/235 kW)	470 N·m (347 ft·lbf)
5.0 32V	V8	326 PS (322 hp/240 kW)	480 N·m (354 ft·lbf)
6.0 48V	V12	394 PS (389 hp/290 kW)	570 N·m (420 ft·lbf)
6.0 48V	V12	408 PS (402 hp/300 kW)	580 N·m (428 ft·lbf)
3.5 12V TD	I6	150 PS (148 hp/110 kW)	310 N·m (229 ft·lbf)
3.0 24V TD	I6	177 PS (175 hp/130 kW)	330 N·m (243 ft·lbf)

[edit] References

Article citations

1. ^ ^{a b} Kittler, Eberhard (2001). Deutsche Autos seit 1990, vol. 5. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02128-5. 
2. ^ Top Speed W140 profile

Model history

1. Schlegelmilch, Rainer W.; Hartmut Lehbrink, Jochen Von Osterroth (November 2004). Mercedes. Könemann. ISBN 3-8331-1056-2. 
2. Kevin Smith. "Mercedes-Benz 500SEC". Car and Driver (March 1993): 45–49. 
3. William Jeanes. "Mercedes-Benz 300SE". Car and Driver (March 1993): 126–127. 

[edit] External links

• Middlfrangn W140 Club (German)
• private W140 Homepage (English)
• private W140 Homepage (German)
• W140 Group Homepage From Japan (Japanese)
• Private W140 Homepage From Japan (Japanese)

v • d • e « previous — Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1980s–present
Type	Class	1980s										1990s										2000s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact	A																		W168								W169
Entry-level	C			W201 (190)												W202							W203						W204
Mid-size car	E	W123						W124										W210							W211
	CLS																									W219
Full-size	S	W126											W140								W220							W221
Roadster	SLK																			R170								R171
	SL	R107									R129														R230
Coupé	CLC																							W203						CL203
	CLK																			W208					W209
	CL			C126										C140							C215							C216
Supercar	SLR																										C199
off-road	G	W460											W461
	G											W463
SUV	GLK																												X204
	M																			W163								W164
	GL																												X164
MPVs	B																										W245
	R																											V251
	Vaneo																							W414
	Vito																	Vito										Vito
	Sprinter																Sprinter

v • d • e Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineage, 1950s–present W180 (1955) · W128 (1958) · W111 (1959) · W112 (1961) · W108 (1965) · W116 (1972) · W126 (1979) · W140 (1991) · W220 (1999) · W221 (2006)