Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its luxurious vehicles, racing pedigree and innovation. A brand rich in history, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most iconic Benzes of all time.
On this week’s episode of Drive TV, we hit the road in the latest electric offering in the Mercedes-Benz line-up – the EQE. While this electric car represents the future of the German brand, we thought it was only fitting to take a look at Mercedes’ past.
With a history of making cars dating back 140 years, Mercedes-Benz is renowned for its innovative technology, impressive design language, racing pedigree and luxury cars.
Everyone will have their favourite legendary Benz – there are many – but here’s what we’ve compiled here at Drive, featuring some of the most iconic models of all time.
Mercedes-Benz 540K (1936-1940)
Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1936, the 540K was the successor to the SSK. Designed by the legendary Frederick Geiger, it was available as a two- or four-seat cabriolet, along with a four-seater coupé and seven-seater limousine.
Each car was built to order to the individual buyer’s needs and was available in a variety of body styles. The 540K packed a supercharged 5.4-litre inline-eight-cylinder making up to 130kW helping to propel it to a top speed of 170km/h. Still a stunning car.
Mercedes-Benz 300d ‘Adenauer’ (1957-1962)
The Mercedes-Benz 300d was the German car maker’s flagship sedan, the spiritual ancestor to today’s S-Class. Nicknamed, the Adenauer, it was named after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, who employed six cars for official state use.
Options included a glass partition between the driver and the second row, an in-car telephone and a dictation machine. Merc’s luxury sedan was built to rival the Bentley S1 and Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. The statement vehicle was powered by a 3.0-litre inline-six, mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1954-1955)
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is a two-seater sports car, first manufactured as a coupe (1954–1957) with its signature gullwing doors, and subsequently as a roadster (1957–1963).
The 300SL was launched in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York City. In a bid to attract American buyers early, the company opted to introduce the car in the US first instead of Europe.
The stylish sports car contained an M198 straight-six engine, paired to a four-speed manual gearbox, and boasted a top speed of up to 263km/h.
Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963-1981)
The 600 replaced the Mercedes-Benz W189 (Adenauer) as the brand’s flagship, and represented the pinnacle of automotive engineering. The ultra-luxurious vehicle was owned by celebrities and political leaders alike during the late 20th century.
The ‘Grosser Mercedes‘ (Grand Mercedes) was available in a short wheelbase four-door saloon or a long wheelbase four-door “Pullman” limousine, which was often used by heads of state.
Under the bonnet lay a 6.3-litre M100 V8 engine. It contained single overhead camshafts, along with a Bosch-made multipoint manifold injection.
Mercedes-Benz 230 SL ‘Pagoda’ (1963-1971)
The 230 SL was the very first version of the W113 SL-Class to be introduced. The vehicle was bestowed with its ‘Pagoda’ nickname thanks to its uniquely concave detachable hardtop.
The 230 SL featured a 2.3-litre inline six-cylinder, and was offered with either a manual or automatic transmission.
The ‘Pagoda’ represented the perfect blend of sports car and tourer and was the epitome of wealth and power in the 1960s.
Mercedes-Benz R107 SL-Class (1971-1989)
In 1971 the R107 generation SL replaced the W113’Pagoda’.
During its time of production, the SL was the only roadster offered in the brand’s line-up and was an incredible success for the brand. As it stands, this luxury vehicle is the second-longest single model ever produced by the automaker (after the G-Class).
The long-serving two-seater was available as both a convertible and a coupe. Originally on the market with a 4.5-litre V8, the line later grew to include a 3.8-litre and 5.5-litre V8.
Mercedes-Benz 190E (1982-1993)
The 190E debuted at the 1982 Paris Motor show. Over the years, the 190E transformed into today’s C-Class, which remains an incredibly popular car in Mercedes’ line-up.
The 190E came with a variety of engines – from a 1.8-litre inline-four-cylinder petrol to a 2.5-litre straight five diesel. The 190E in 2.3-16 and subsequently 2.5-16 Cosworth trim was known as the fast Mercedes before the manufacturer took over AMG in the late 1990s.
Mercedes-Benz W124 500 E (1991-1994)
Today, the W124 generation Mercedes-Benz 500 E is a highly sought-after classic. Modest and muscular in appearance, the 500 E was the high-performance version of the W124 generation E-Class.
But, thanks to the 500 E’s wider body, meaning it couldn’t fit down the E-Class production line, Mercedes outsourced the production of its hi-po sedan to Porsche.
The heavy lifting was done by a 5.0-litre M119 V8 engine, coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission. Top speed was rated at 270km/h.
Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG (1994-2000)
Based on the second-generation C-Class, the C36 was the first official AMG-badged car from the German manufacturer.
This vehicle is an important part of the brand’s history, representing the first joint venture between AMG and Mercedes. The C36 was also the start of a new naming method for the brand, using letters before numbers.
The compact C36 packed a 3.6-litre straight-six engine making 206kW and 385Nm. The donor engine was Merc’s venerable 3.2-litre straight-six (bored out to 3.6 litres) lifted from the W124-generation E-Class.
The C36 posed as a significant threat to the BMW M3, boasting mega performance. When it arrived on the market, this impressive sports touring sedan carried a price tag of $155,100. These days, the modern classic isn’t easy to find, but you can snag one for around $30,000.
Mercedes-AMG SLS (2010-2014)
The SLS was the first Mercedes-Benz automobile designed and built from scratch entirely by AMG. This two-seater, limited production grand tourer is a true representation of peering into the future, while paying homage to the past.
Introduced at the Frankfurt Motor show, the successor to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was designed by popular designer, Mark Fetherston. The SLS AMG boasted the M156 engine – the first V8 designed autonomously by Mercedes-Benz subsidiary, Mercedes-AMG. This particular engine was a 6.2-litre V8, partnered with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Did we get it right? What are some of your favourite iconic Benzes? Let us know in the comments below.
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