Mercedes Benz W116 300SD
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Car producer : |
Mercedes Benz |
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Model: |
W116 300SD |
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Year: |
1978-1980 |
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Type: |
Sedan |
The Mercedes-Benz W116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980. The W116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although earlier sedan models had already unofficially been designated with the letter 'S' – for Sonderklasse or "special class." The W116 was selected European Car of the Year in 1974.
North America was a key market for the W116. The U.S. received the 4.5L V8 in SE and SEL form, the 6.9L V8 in SEL form, and the 300 SD (diesel), but not the 280 six cylinder
The 300 SD sedan, sold only in the United States and Canadian markets, was introduced in May 1978. It had a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-five diesel engine developed from that of the C111 experimental vehicle. It was developed to help Mercedes-Benz keep from falling afoul of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards introduced in 1975; it became a best seller and helped considerably lower Mercedes-Benz' average fuel economy.
Due to the modifications demanded by the U.S. Government, U.S. Models of the Mercedes-Benz W116 were described by journalists as if a "beautiful car was beaten with the malaise ugly stick."
