car hi-story: Mercedes S-Class

excellent story, and car design

 Birth of a legend. The 1972 Mercedes S-Class Story - YouTube @BigCar

This video by Big Car Opens in a new window covers the development, design, and impact of the 1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W116 chassis)—the first vehicle to officially carry the "S-Class" (Sonderklasse or "Special Class") designation.

• Official "S-Class" Debut: While Mercedes-Benz had built luxury flagship cars for decades, the W116 introduced in 1972 was the first model officially marketed under the S-Class name, establishing a new benchmark for executive luxury saloons.
  
  
• Focus on Safety Innovations: The W116 prioritized passive and active safety, featuring a heavily reinforced passenger cell, crumple zones, a padded dashboard, a recessed steering wheel, and a fuel tank positioned above the rear axle to protect it during collisions.
  
  
• Pioneering ABS Technology: The W116 was one of the first production cars to offer a modern electronic four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), developed in partnership with Bosch and introduced in 1978.
  
  
• Engineering & Powertrains: The car featured double-wishbone front suspension derived from the C111 experimental vehicle and was powered by a range of engines, including inline-sixes and V8s, culminating in the high-performance 450 SEL 6.9.
  
  
• Lasting Legacy: The W116 set the standard for modern automotive engineering and established the S-Class as the flagship model for technology and luxury that competitors would emulate for decades.