Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photos

1979 — 1991 · sedan, coupe

photos

specifications

123–275

6.9 s

best 0–100

Photos

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126), coupe, red, side view — photo 76885

560SEC US-spec (1985–91) 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

560SEC US-spec (1985–91) 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

560SEC (1985–1991) 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

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76881

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76880

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76879

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76878

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76877

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76876

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76875

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76874

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76873

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76872

560SEC (1985–1991)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) photo 76871

UK-spec (1981–1991)

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About this generation

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

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.

Specifications

30 in 2 body styles

Sedan W126 / V126 22 specifications

5020 mm197.6 in

Length

1820 mm71.7 in

Width

1430 mm56.3 in

Height

2935 mm115.6 in

Wheelbase

505 l17.8 cu ft

Trunk

Petrol

280 S

154hp(115 kW)

2.7 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.0 s

1979–1985

Torque: 210 Nm (155 lb-ft)
Top speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
Displacement: 2746 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M110.924
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1540 kg (3395 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

280 S

154hp(115 kW)

2.7 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.0 s

1981–1985

Torque: 210 Nm (155 lb-ft)
Top speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
Displacement: 2746 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M110.924
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1540 kg (3395 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

280 S

154hp(115 kW)

2.7 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 11.5 s

1979–1985

Torque: 210 Nm (155 lb-ft)
Top speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
Displacement: 2746 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M110.924
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1560 kg (3439 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

260 SE

164hp(122 kW)

2.6 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.2 s

1985–1991

Torque: 228 Nm (168 lb-ft)
Top speed: 215 km/h (134 mph)
Displacement: 2599 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M103.941
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1520 kg (3351 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

260 SE

164hp(122 kW)

2.6 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 10.5 s

1985–1991

Torque: 228 Nm (168 lb-ft)
Top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Displacement: 2599 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M103.941
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1540 kg (3395 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

280 SE / SEL

182hp(136 kW)

2.7 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.0 s

1979–1985

Torque: 240 Nm (177 lb-ft)
Top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Displacement: 2746 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M110.987 / M110.989
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1560 kg (3439 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

280 SE / SEL

182hp(136 kW)

2.7 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.0 s

1981–1985

Torque: 240 Nm (177 lb-ft)
Top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Displacement: 2746 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M110.987 / M110.989
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1560 kg (3439 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

280 SE / SEL

182hp(136 kW)

2.7 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 10.7 s

1979–1985

Torque: 240 Nm (177 lb-ft)
Top speed: 205 km/h (127 mph)
Displacement: 2746 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M110.987 / M110.989
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1580 kg (3483 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

300 SE / SEL

185hp(138 kW)

3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.1 s

1985–1991

Torque: 260 Nm (192 lb-ft)
Top speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
Displacement: 2960 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M103.981
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1520 kg (3351 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

300 SE / SEL

185hp(138 kW)

3.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.3 s

1985–1991

Torque: 260 Nm (192 lb-ft)
Top speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement: 2960 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M103.981
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1540 kg (3395 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

380 SE / SEL

201hp(150 kW)

3.8 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.8 s

1981–1985

Torque: 315 Nm (232 lb-ft)
Top speed: 205 km/h (127 mph)
Displacement: 3839 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.963
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1590 kg (3505 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

380 SE / SEL

215hp(160 kW)

3.8 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.3 s

1979–1981

Torque: 305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed: 215 km/h (134 mph)
Displacement: 3818 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.961
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1590 kg (3505 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

420 SE / SEL

215hp(160 kW)

4.2 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.3 s

1985–1987

Torque: 330 Nm (243 lb-ft)
Top speed: 222 km/h (138 mph)
Displacement: 4196 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1600 kg (3527 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

420 SE / SEL

221hp(165 kW)

4.2 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.2 s

1987–1991

Torque: 335 Nm (247 lb-ft)
Top speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
Displacement: 4196 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1600 kg (3527 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

500 SE / SEL

237hp(177 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.1 s

1979–1985

Torque: 405 Nm (299 lb-ft)
Top speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
Displacement: 4973 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.961 / M117.963
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1650 kg (3638 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

500 SE / SEL

241hp(180 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.5 s

1985–1987

Torque: 390 Nm (288 lb-ft)
Top speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
Displacement: 4973 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1670 kg (3682 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

500 SE / SEL

248hp(185 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.3 s

1987–1991

Torque: 390 Nm (288 lb-ft)
Top speed: 235 km/h (146 mph)
Displacement: 4973 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1670 kg (3682 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

560 SE / SEL

268hp(200 kW)

5.5 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.2 s

1985–1987

Torque: 421 Nm (311 lb-ft)
Top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
Displacement: 5547 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.968
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1810 kg (3990 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

560 SE / SEL

275hp(205 kW)

5.5 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.9 s

1987–1991

Torque: 430 Nm (317 lb-ft)
Top speed: 242 km/h (150 mph)
Displacement: 5547 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.968
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1810 kg (3990 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

Diesel

300 SD Turbodiesel

123hp(92 kW)

3.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 15.0 s

1980–1985

Torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
Top speed: 175 km/h (109 mph)
Displacement: 2998 cc
Cylinders: 5
Engine: OM617.951
Aspiration: turbo
Curb weight: 1690 kg (3726 lb)
Fuel tank: 82 l (21.7 gal US)

350 SD / SDL Turbodiesel

134hp(100 kW)

3.4 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 12.0 s

1990–1991

Torque: 310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
Top speed: 175 km/h (109 mph)
Displacement: 3449 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: OM603.970
Aspiration: turbo
Curb weight: 1775 kg (3913 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

300 SDL Turbodiesel

148hp(110 kW)

3.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 12.5 s

1985–1987

Torque: 273 Nm (201 lb-ft)
Top speed: 195 km/h (121 mph)
Displacement: 2996 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: OM603.961
Aspiration: turbo
Curb weight: 1740 kg (3836 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

Tap a card to see all specs

Coupe (SEC) C126 8 specifications

4935 mm194.3 in

Length

1828 mm72.0 in

Width

1407 mm55.4 in

Height

2850 mm112.2 in

Wheelbase

505 l17.8 cu ft

Trunk

Petrol

380 SEC

201hp(150 kW)

3.8 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.1 s

1981–1985

Torque: 315 Nm (232 lb-ft)
Top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Displacement: 3839 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.963
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1585 kg (3494 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

420 SEC

215hp(160 kW)

4.2 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.0 s

1985–1987

Torque: 325 Nm (240 lb-ft)
Top speed: 218 km/h (135 mph)
Displacement: 4196 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1600 kg (3527 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

420 SEC

221hp(165 kW)

4.2 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.3 s

1987–1991

Torque: 330 Nm (243 lb-ft)
Top speed: 222 km/h (138 mph)
Displacement: 4196 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M116.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1600 kg (3527 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

500 SEC

228hp(170 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.1 s

1981–1985

Torque: 405 Nm (299 lb-ft)
Top speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
Displacement: 4973 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.963
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1610 kg (3549 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

500 SEC

241hp(180 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.5 s

1985–1987

Torque: 390 Nm (288 lb-ft)
Top speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
Displacement: 4973 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1660 kg (3660 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

500 SEC

248hp(185 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.3 s

1987–1991

Torque: 390 Nm (288 lb-ft)
Top speed: 235 km/h (146 mph)
Displacement: 4973 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1660 kg (3660 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

560 SEC

268hp(200 kW)

5.5 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.2 s

1985–1987

Torque: 421 Nm (311 lb-ft)
Top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
Displacement: 5547 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.968
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1750 kg (3858 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

560 SEC

275hp(205 kW)

5.5 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.9 s

1987–1991

Torque: 430 Nm (317 lb-ft)
Top speed: 242 km/h (150 mph)
Displacement: 5547 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M117.968
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1750 kg (3858 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

Tap a card to see all specs

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Photo forum

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VI (W126) on the forum

My w126 300SE

dunbar@37.com 25.05.2019 12679