1. Photos
  2. Mercedes-Benz
  3. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  4. VI (W126)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) gallery (1979–1991)

Sixth generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126), manufactured from 1979 to 1991 as the longest-running and highest-selling S-Class in history.

All photos 1765 I (W187) 0 1951–1955 II (W180/W128) 0 1954–1959 III (W111/W112) 0 1959–1971 IV (W108/W109) 0 1965–1972 V (W116) 0 1972–1980 VI (W126) 98 1979–1991 VII (W140) 18 1991–1998 VIII (W220) 30 1998–2005 IX (W221) 181 2005–2013 X (W222) 1300 2013–2020 XI (W223) 104 2020
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126), coupe, red, side view — photo 76885 1280 x 960 56 560SEC US-spec (1985–91)
coupe Profile shot of a red two-door pillarless coupe driving on an open road. A driver is visible behind the wheel, and the lower section of the body features dark contrasting side cladding.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126), coupe, silver, front view — photo 76884 1024 x 768 49 560SEC US-spec (1985–91)
coupe A classic silver automobile photographed directly from the front while driving on a road against rocky canyon walls. The amber corner lights are illuminated, headlight wiper arms are visible, and a driver is seen through the windshield.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126), coupe, black, front three-quarter view — photo 76883 2048 x 1536 60 560SEC (1985–1991)
coupe A classic dark-colored two-door coupe parked on a tree-lined lane. In the background on the left, a person plays with a dog.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76882 2048 x 1536 47 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76881 1280 x 960 53 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76880 2048 x 1536 57 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76879 1600 x 1200 50 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76878 2048 x 1536 53 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76877 2048 x 1536 49 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76876 1920 x 1440 28 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76875 1600 x 1200 32 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76874 2048 x 1536 37 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76873 2048 x 1536 42 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76872 2048 x 1536 32 560SEC (1985–1991)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76871 1024 x 768 34 UK-spec (1981–1991)

The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126) launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1979. Masterminded by chief designer Bruno Sacco, the aerodynamic body boasted a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.36 and polyurethane side protective cladding ('Sacco planks'). The lineup featured standard-wheelbase sedans (W126), long-wheelbase variants (V126 SEL), and the regal SEC two-door coupe (C126). Production spanned 12 years, yielding over 818,000 sedans and 74,000 coupes—a record volume for the flagship line.

Engine choices ranged from inline-sixes (280 SE, 300 SE) to smooth V8s spanning 3.8 to 5.6 liters (380 SE, 420 SE, 500 SE, and the 300 hp 560 SEL), alongside 3.0L/3.5L turbodiesels for North America. Safety milestones pioneered on the W126 included the production debut of the driver's airbag and seatbelt pretensioners in 1981, followed by passenger airbags, ASR traction control, and automatic climate systems. A 1985 mid-cycle update updated side cladding, wheel designs, and introduced revised M103 and V8 engine series.