The second generation of the S-Class was launched at the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show.
It was offered with two wheelbases and four engine choices.

The S-Class W126 was a trendsetter of its times. It was the first Mercedes-Benz that featured plastic bumpers integrated into the front and rear apron areas, in a gray color that matched all the other colors for the bodywork. To amplify that new trend, on the sides there were plastic covers on the lower part of the doors and fenders that matched the color and pattern of the bumpers.

On the front, the design concept of its predecessor was enhanced. It kept the shape of the headlights but the turn-signals were different. The rear-view mirrors were no longer chromed but in body color. The long-wheelbase version was longer by 140 mm (5.5”) and it offered more legroom and wider rear doors. The car could have been fitted with driver airbag and ABS.

The interior was even more advanced for those times. The electrically adjustable front seats had the buttons mounted on the door panel, next to the armrest. The driver’s seat also featured two memory positions. The automatic climate control was not a novelty for the automotive market and the S-Class had it.

The W126 was launched with four engine choices and later on, there were more options added. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel version was offered for the U.S. market. The W126 was engineered to be more fuel-efficient and it was also fitted with catalytic converters, to decrease the emission values. It was offered with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.