Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) driving test – From the Old Box

Some cars will always stay with you. The Mercedes-Benz S-class W140 is one of them. A car that left an indelible impression, not least because of its stature, when we first drove it exactly 30 years ago.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 has always generated a bit of mixed reactions. The nickname ‘Cathedral’ because of its rather striking size was used by some as jokingly, while the other saw it as an affectionate nickname. Because that was the W140 absolutely. Mercedes did not want to disguise that either. It was one thing to look at with the stately successor to the slightly slender W126, but driving it was a completely different story. Whatever you thought of the appearance, after a ride in the then new S-class you were completely sold. In any case, our editor on duty at the time.

Mercedes-Benz S class (W140) 1991

He freely admitted that he ‘lacked superlatives’ to glorify the new S-class. According to him, Mercedes had really pushed the boundaries of the car industry on all kinds of fronts. You could say that this S-class ensured that nothing more could be expected from its successors than innovations in unexplored territory. If there was anything new in the automotive industry, it almost must have made its debut in the S-class.

In that respect, the W140 could treat us 30 years ago to things that are now very common, but then still very modern. Think of things like climate control over two or four zones, extra soft-closing doors and tailgate, progressive power steering, soundproof glass, heated door mirrors, an automatically dimming interior mirror and later also GPS navigation, voice control and rain sensors. Some things integrated quite quickly into the car industry, but you can bet that the presence of this kind of business in 1991 really made you feel like a man. A special innovation that eventually disappeared, were the parking antennas on the back. They came up when reversing, so you could better see where the car extended.

Mercedes-Benz S class (W140) 1991

In addition to all kinds of ‘gadgets’ that raised the comfort and safety of the S-class to a new level, a lot of work had also been done on how the S-class drove. The development, which started no less than ten years earlier, had paid off in that regard, we concluded when we first drove the W140. Although it was a monstrously large car and it radiated it, once behind the wheel it felt less intimidating. Mercedes-Benz had managed to make the S itself feel relatively light-footed. Then of course it made a difference which engine you had on board. With the 6.0 V12 it was of course downright fast, but also a 300 SE with ‘just’ a six-cylinder was already quite fast: 0-100 km / h in 8.6 seconds and a top of 230 km / h.

Steering with the W140 also contributed to the ‘light’ feeling of the S. An electronically controlled limited slip differential played a decisive role in this. The electronic accelerator, something unprecedented at the time, also contributed to the sensible distribution of power to keep the car manageable with firm steering. All in all, it gave the S-class the possibility to ‘drive it like a sports car’, we concluded at the time.

After our first encounter with the W140, we stated that its advanced technology, comfort, safety, handling, speed, was basically everything at the very highest level possible at the time. The ‘Cathedral’ therefore received the predicate ‘the best car in the world’. “The new S-Class is towering above anything the automotive industry has ever produced. Even the industrious inventive Japanese can return to the drawing board. The unapproachable Brand with the Star has once again created the distance at which it has always been haughty but rightly so. famous.” However, there was still one major disadvantage to the S-class at the time: it was dying. But yes, we understood that in itself.

Mercedes-Benz S-class W140 prices

In Techzle Classics 3, we will also elaborate on the introduction and further history of the W140 in honor of its 30th anniversary. You can now find that edition of Techzle Classics in the shop, or you can order it separately here.

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