Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (1972–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007) Daimler AG (2007–2022) Mercedes-Benz Group (2022–present)
Production	1954–present (S-Class nomenclature adopted since 1972)
Body and chassis
Class	F-segment Ultra luxury car (1972–1998 and Maybach models)[1] Full-size luxury car (1998–present models)[2]
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupé (1992–2021)
Related	Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W187

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, formerly known as Sonderklasse (German for "special class", abbreviated as "S-Klasse"), is a series of full-sized luxury sedans, limousines and armored sedans produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The S-Class is the designation for top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models and was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116, and has remained in use ever since. The S-Class is one of the flagship vehicles for Mercedes-Benz.

The S-Class has debuted many of the company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, interior features, and safety systems (such as the first seatbelt pretensioners).^[3] The S-Class has ranked as the world's best-selling luxury sedan.^[4] In automotive terms, Sonderklasse refers to "a specially outfitted car." Although used colloquially for decades,^{[citation needed]} following its official application in 1972, six generations of officially named S-Klasse sedans have been produced.

In 1981, the two-door, four-seat S-Class, designated as SEC, was introduced, sharing the petrol V8 engines with its four-door version, W126. After the introduction of a new nomenclature scheme, SEC was simply renamed as S-Class Coupé. For the 1996 model year, the coupé was separated from the S-Class line and named as new CL-Class (in line with other two-door models: CLK, SL, and SLK); however, the CL-Class was reintegrated into the S-Class model line (same with CLK becoming E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet). The first-ever S-Class convertible since 1972, internally named A217, was introduced and became a one-generation model only. After the end of W222 production in 2020, the successors to the C217 coupé and A217 convertible are not planned, citing the low demand for those models and stronger demand for SUV models.