120-938: (Redirected from S-class ) S class may refer to: Automobiles [ edit ] Mercedes-Benz S-Class , an automobile S-segment , a European vehicle size class Rail transport [ edit ] Victorian Railways S class , Australian steam locomotives Victorian Railways S class (diesel) , Australian diesel locomotive South Australian Railways S class , steam locomotives WAGR S class , Australian steam locomotives S-class Melbourne tram Ships [ edit ] S-class destroyer (disambiguation) , multiple types of ships S-class submarine (disambiguation) , multiple types of submarines S-class ferry , operated by BC Ferries in British Columbia, Canada S-class torpedo boat , ex-Russian torpedo boats operated by Finland Statendam -class cruise ship ,
240-405: A pawl is engaged, the reel locks and the strap restrains the belted occupant in position. Dual-sensing locking retractors use both vehicle G-loading and webbing payout rate to initiate the locking mechanism. Seat belts in many newer vehicles are also equipped with "pretensioners" or "web clamps", or both. Pretensioners preemptively tighten the belt to prevent the occupant from jerking forward in
360-442: A safety belt or spelled seatbelt , is a vehicle safety device designed to secure the driver or a passenger of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop. A seat belt reduces the likelihood of death or serious injury in a traffic collision by reducing the force of secondary impacts with interior strike hazards, by keeping occupants positioned correctly for maximum effectiveness of
480-726: A 1981 model in the US and Australia replacing the W116 line. The W126 line featured improved aerodynamics and enlarged aluminum engine blocks. In Australia in 1981, the W126 S-Class won Wheels magazine's Car of the Year award. The W126 was manufactured from 1979 through 1991 with a mid-cycle update. Coupé models based on the S-Class were reintroduced with the W126 (380/500 SEC). Total sales of
600-977: A 5 speed automatic transmission, it produced 604 bhp (612 PS; 450 kW) at 5100 RPM, and 999 newton-metres (737 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4000 RPM. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) was officially rated at 4.4 seconds (0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds), and the car was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). 3.0 L diesel 190 kW (259 PS; 255 bhp) V6 3.5 L 225 kW (306 PS; 302 bhp) V6 3.5 L hybrid 220 kW (299 PS; 295 bhp) V6 4.0 L diesel 236 kW (320 PS; 316 bhp) V8 4.7 L 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) V8 4.7 L 320 kW (435 PS; 429 bhp) V8 5.5 L 285 kW (387 PS; 382 bhp) V8 5.5 L 380 kW (516 PS; 509 bhp) V12 5.5 L AMG 400 kW (543 PS; 536 bhp) V8 6.0 L AMG 463 kW (630 PS; 621 bhp) V12 The W221
720-429: A CO 2 rating of 69 g/km (3.9 oz/mi) and up to 30 km (19 mi) of emissions-free driving. The S500 Plug-In hybrid is fitted with a 245 kW (334 PS; 329 bhp) 3-litre V6 and an 80-kilowatt (110 PS; 110 hp) electric motor. AMG fettled S63 (V8 bi-turbo) and S65 (V12 bi-turbo) LWB sedans are also on offer. All S-Class models will come with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The W223
840-420: A bag that fills with ambient air, instead of conventional fully gas-inflated airbags that are widely used in automotive airbag systems. On 5 December 2022 Mercedes-AMG has debuted the S 63 E Performance V8 PHEV with 802 HP. Mercedes-Benz has been able to exploit their perceived engineering know-how as a marketing tool, culminating in its one-time slogan, "engineered like no other car in the world." This slogan
960-525: A big impression on many observers and are said to have heavily influenced robot car research and funding decisions worldwide. A concept future hybrid, the F700 research car , was also unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show . The F700 featured three regular opening doors and a fourth door capable of 180-degree rotation. The concept also featured bulletproof and puncture-resistant tires. Seat belt#Pretensioners and webclamps A seat belt , also known as
1080-482: A choice of massage type for each seat occupant (the W221 offered various intensities of a single massage type) and two levels of premium audio from the luxury German brand, Burmester. The W222 has driver assistance systems aboard that allow it to steer a course within a lane and follow a leading vehicle for a short period ( DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, also called traffic jam assistant). It will also slow or come to
1200-518: A class of the Holland America Line Other uses [ edit ] "S-Class" (song) , a 2023 song by Stray Kids See also [ edit ] Class S (disambiguation) S-Type (disambiguation) Type S (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title S class . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
1320-469: A crash occurs, the bladder inflates with gas to increase the area of the restraint contacting the occupant and also shortening the length of the restraint to tighten the belt around the occupant, improving the protection. The inflatable sections may be shoulder-only or lap and shoulder. The system supports the head during the crash better than a web-only belt. It also provides side impact protection. In 2013, Ford began offering rear-seat inflatable seat belts on
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#17327806013491440-420: A crash. Mercedes-Benz first introduced pretensioners on the 1981 S-Class . In the event of a crash, a pretensioner will tighten the belt almost instantaneously. This reduces the motion of the occupant in a violent crash. Like airbags, pretensioners are triggered by sensors in the car's body, and many pretensioners have used explosively expanding gas to drive a piston that retracts the belt. Pretensioners also lower
1560-427: A crash. The W116 introduced other improved passive safety features into the vehicle design, including a strengthened vehicle occupant shell. It was one of the first cars to be available with ABS , a driver's airbag supplemental restraint system (but not available at the vehicle's initial launch). Also, the W116 was the first mass production passenger vehicle offered with a turbocharged diesel engine. The 450SE, then
1680-564: A dead stop and accelerate in response to traffic ahead. Mercedes engineers claim to have, under controlled conditions, ridden aboard a W222 S Class that has driven autonomously for 50 km, merely by altering parameters controlling equipment already fitted. Such modifications are not available to the general public. Like the W221 S500, the W222 S-Class is powered by a more powerful twin-turbo V8 producing 455 hp (339 kW) while
1800-410: A first in the automotive industry. Two strong converging character lines give the flanks a more sculpted look, while integrated exhaust tips and a large glass roof (likely optional) highlight the design. Along with the sedan, the S-Class spawned a coupe ( Mercedes-Benz C217 ) and convertible (Mercedes-Benz A217) as well as an extended-wheelbase 'Pullman' variant, longer than the long-wheelbase 'L.' While
1920-547: A limited set of models, such as the Explorer and Flex . Seat belts that automatically move into position around a vehicle occupant once the adjacent door is closed and/or the engine is started were developed as a countermeasure against low usage rates of manual seat belts, particularly in the United States. The 1972 Volkswagen ESVW1 Experimental Safety Vehicle presented passive seat belts. Volvo tried to develop
2040-423: A measure of safety not available when these cars were new. However, modern BIS systems typically use electronics that must be installed and connected with the seats and the vehicle's electrical system in order to function properly. Five-point harnesses are typically found in child safety seats and in racing cars. The lap portion is connected to a belt between the legs and there are two shoulder belts, making
2160-671: A mocha black exterior with an almond beige interior and were the first examples of the S600 to be sold to private owners. The S600s came with nearly every option standard. In 2007, Automobile Magazine named the W221 S-Class as one of its 2007 "All-Stars" over rivals from Lexus and BMW , and Car and Driver selected the S550 as the winner in a five-way comparison test of flagship luxury sedans, as did Motor Trend Magazine in July 2009 in
2280-403: A more advanced climate control system. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard. Although the top of range Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 of the previous generation was not directly replaced, the W126 carried forward the hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an option on the 500SEL. A new cruise control system was offered as well. Succeeding the roadster based coupes, the W126 introduced
2400-445: A more central position during a rear impact, a rain-water management system to improve visibility consisting of deep channels on both sides of the windshield and flowing into deeply channeled rain gutters, including similar designs on the side mirrors, rounded body shapes along the edges, such as the tops of the front fenders, etc., designed to ameliorate pedestrian injuries, ribbed rear taillamp lenses which would remain clearer of dirt on
2520-523: A passive three point seat belt. In 1973, Volkswagen announced they had a functional passive seat belt. The first commercial car to use automatic seat belts was the 1975 Volkswagen Golf . Automatic seat belts received a boost in the United States in 1977 when Brock Adams , United States Secretary of Transportation in the Carter Administration , mandated that by 1983 every new car should have either airbags or automatic seat belts. There
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#17327806013492640-578: A patent application on March 31, 1955, for an automotive seat belt and was awarded U.S. patent 2,855,215 in 1958. This was a continuation of an earlier patent application that Sheren had filed on September 22, 1952. The first modern three-point seat belt (the so-called CIR-Griswold restraint ) commonly used in consumer vehicles was patented in 1955 U.S. patent 2,710,649 by the Americans Roger W. Griswold and Hugh DeHaven . Saab introduced seat belts as standard equipment in 1958. After
2760-620: A pioneering aviator with the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps , so he might remain at the controls during turbulence. The Irvin Air Chute Company made the seat belt for use by professional race car driver Barney Oldfield when his team decided the daredevil should have a "safety harness" for the 1923 Indianapolis 500 . A lap belt is a strap that goes over the waist. This was the most common type of belt prior to legislation requiring three-point belts and
2880-587: A potential collision and assist in placing the occupants in a more optimal seating position. The electric pretensioners also can operate on a repeated or sustained basis, providing better protection in the event of an extended rollover or a multiple collision accident. The inflatable seat belt was invented by Donald Lewis and tested at the Automotive Products Division of Allied Chemical Corporation . Inflatable seat belts have tubular inflatable bladders contained within an outer cover. When
3000-546: A production vehicle: padded door trim around the windows, heavily padded steering wheel (later to be replaced by an airbag with the Mercedes-Benz abbreviation of SRS standing for the English-language term Supplemental Restraint System), more comprehensive safety padding on the dashboard and around the interior, dual asymmetric windshield wipers, headrests with a center depression to locate the occupant's head in
3120-447: A safety performance improvement in vehicles with seat-mounted belts versus belts mounted to the vehicle body. Belt-in-Seat type belts have been used by automakers in convertibles and pillarless hardtops, where there is no "B" pillar to affix the upper mount of the belt. Chrysler and Cadillac are well known for using this design. Antique auto enthusiasts sometimes replace original seats in their cars with BIS-equipped front seats, providing
3240-506: A scenario, the occupant may be thrown from the vehicle and suffer greater injury or death. Because many automatic belt system designs compliant with the U.S. passive-restraint mandate did not meet the anchorage requirements of Canada (CMVSS 210)—which were not weakened to accommodate automatic belts—vehicle models that had been eligible for easy importation in either direction across the U.S.-Canada border when equipped with manual belts became ineligible for importation in either direction once
3360-460: A seat belt reduced the risk of fatalities or incapacitating injuries and increased the probability of no injury: Seat belts were invented by English engineer George Cayley , to use on his glider , in the mid-19th century. In 1946, C. Hunter Shelden opened a neurological practice at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California . In the early 1950s, Shelden made a major contribution to
3480-597: A seat belt. Their work was presented to Swedish manufacturer Volvo in the late 1950s, and set the standard for seat belts in Swedish cars. The three-point seat belt was developed to its modern form by Swedish inventor Nils Bohlin for Volvo, which introduced it in 1959 as standard equipment. In addition to designing an effective three-point belt, Bohlin demonstrated its effectiveness in a study of 28,000 accidents in Sweden. Unbelted occupants sustained fatal injuries throughout
3600-438: A shorter-wheelbase W140 coupé. Production totalled 432,732 units. The W140 cost 25% more than the W126 that it replaced and featured double-pane window glazing, self-closing boot lid and doors, electric windows with a jam-protection feature (lowering when encountering an obstruction), rear-parking markers in the US (which appeared on the rear wings when in reverse), and a heating system which emitted warm air while residual energy
3720-504: A six-point harness in response. Aerobatic aircraft frequently use a combination harness consisting of a five-point harness with a redundant lap belt attached to a different part of the aircraft. While providing redundancy for negative-g maneuvers (which lift the pilot out of the seat), they also require the pilot to unlatch two harnesses if it is necessary to parachute from a failed aircraft. The purpose of locking retractors (sometimes called ELR belts, for "Emergency Locking Retractors")
S class - Misplaced Pages Continue
3840-494: A sudden braking or collision event—causes the reel to lock, restraining the occupant in position. The first automatic locking retractor for seat belts and shoulder harnesses in the U.S. was the Irving "Dynalock" safety device. These "Auto-lock" front lap belts were optional on AMC cars with bucket seats in 1967. A vehicle-sensitive lock is based on a pendulum swung away from its plumb position by rapid deceleration or rollover of
3960-613: A test demonstration by Mercedes-Benz in a crash-test hall resulted in embarrassment for the company when a new S-Class crashed into the back of a stationary W220 S-Class. This incident was later attributed to the radar system malfunctioning inside the radar-reflective (i.e. radar-confusing) steel test building where the event was filmed. Upscale department store Saks Fifth Avenue offered 20 special-edition S600 sedans for sale in its 2005 Christmas catalog. All 20 cars, priced at US$ 145,000 each, were sold on November 22, 2005, in under seven minutes. The Saks-edition S600 sedans were finished in
4080-612: A three-way comparison test, with the other two competitors being the BMW 750Li , and Audi A8L 4.2 Quattro . The W221 S-Class was also the recipient of several other motoring awards (see following ). Officially unveiled in May 2013, the new S-Class has a more streamlined appearance than the outgoing model. Some interesting features include a large front grille inspired by the F700 Concept car and LED lights used exclusively inside and out —
4200-614: A top speed of 138 mph (222 km/h). During the W126 mid-cycle update in 1986, both the straight-6 and V8 engines were upgraded in several models to different displacement levels (six-cylinder upgraded from 2.8 L to 3.0 L, eight-cylinder upgraded from 3.8 L to 4.2 L, and 5.0 L to 5.6 L). In 1991, the W140 series replaced the W126 line with the first production model assembled in April of that year. The W140 grew in proportions and featured two wheelbase lengths and
4320-430: A total of five points of attachment to the seat. A 4-point harness is similar, but without the strap between the legs, while a 6-point harness has two belts between the legs. In NASCAR , the 6-point harness became popular after the death of Dale Earnhardt , who was wearing a five-point harness when he suffered his fatal crash. As it was first thought that his belt had broken, and broke his neck at impact, some teams ordered
4440-701: A two-door variant, the SEC coupé . The W126 S-Class received a mid-cycle update in 1985 that included both exterior modifications and engine upgrades. The power plants on the W126 S-Class included straight-6 and V8 engines. Most sales came from the diesel model in Europe and straight-six models in the United States , although the V8 models were praised by contemporary journalists . The US initially received only
4560-517: A very rare S 63 AMG with a 5 speed automatic transmission and a modified version of the M137 V12 engine (displacement went up from 5.8 to 6.3 litres, 6258 cc) making 438 bhp (444 PS; 327 kW) at 5,500 RPM, and 457 lb⋅ft (620 N⋅m) of torque at 4000 RPM. 70 examples were manufactured and marketed in Europe and Asia. In 2003, Mercedes debuted the S 65 AMG, powered by a biturbocharged 6.0 L (5,980 cc) M275 AMG V12 engine and
4680-516: Is a series of full-sized luxury sedans and coupés produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz . The S-Class is the designation for top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models and was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116 , and has remained in use ever since. The S-Class is the flagship vehicle for Mercedes-Benz, being positioned above the other Mercedes-Benz models. The S-Class has debuted many of
4800-611: Is a three-point harness with the shoulder belt attached to the seat itself, rather than to the vehicle structure. The first car using this system was the Range Rover Classic , which offered BIS as standard on the front seats from 1970. Some cars like the Renault Vel Satis use this system for the front seats. A General Motors assessment concluded seat-mounted three-point belts offer better protection especially to smaller vehicle occupants, though GM did not find
4920-480: Is comfortable and safe as well as elegant looking; ideal for drives across the countryside or high class transport on a night out. The W116 models were large luxury sedans . The W116 was larger on the outside than the W108/W109 series it replaced, but had similar interior capacity, as the additional bulk was driven by several new and aforementioned engineering developments on car safety and occupant protection in
S class - Misplaced Pages Continue
5040-442: Is completely new, all materials have been upgraded and make for a more luxurious ride, and the center console transmission gear lever has been replaced with a column-mounted shifter. New technological features on the W221 include an infrared Night View Assist feature and the latest Mercedes-Benz pre-collision system . The W221 features sharper exterior styling (most notably wide fender arcs) and technological improvements. The W221
5160-593: Is found in older cars. Coaches are equipped with lap belts (although many newer coaches have three-point belts), as are passenger aircraft seats. University of Minnesota professor James J. (Crash) Ryan was the inventor of, and held the patent for, the automatic retractable lap safety belt. Ralph Nader cited Ryan's work in Unsafe at Any Speed and, following hearings led by Senator Abraham Ribicoff , President Lyndon Johnson signed two bills in 1966 requiring safety belts in all passenger vehicles starting in 1968. Until
5280-426: Is genuine leather, and metal is used rather than any plastic alternative. The instrument cluster consists entirely of two widescreens (30.5 cm diagonal) LCDs with animated graphics. A 'Head-Up' display and gesture-responsive touchpad became options in early 2014. It featured a new infotainment system. The W222 debuts the available Magic Body Control , consisting of windshield-mounted stereo cameras that can 'read'
5400-577: Is the second consecutive generation of the S-Class to be solely produced in a sedan body style. Models sold in North America are the S450 (2008– , SWB and Canada only), S400 Hybrid (2010– ), S350 Bluetec 4MATIC (2012– ), S550, S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG; other models to be sold outside North America include the S280, S350, S300, S420 CDI and S320 CDI. The first W221 model released in North America and Japan
5520-461: Is to provide the seated occupant the convenience of some free movement of the upper torso within the compartment while providing a method of limiting this movement in the event of a crash. Starting in 1996, all passenger vehicles were required to lock pre-crash, meaning they have a locking mechanism in the retractor or in the latch plate. Seat belts are stowed on spring-loaded reels called "retractors" equipped with inertial locking mechanisms that stop
5640-498: The 300 SEL 6.3 borrowed the 6.3-litre V8 from the W100 600 Pullman to offer a truly high-performance luxury sedan. During this period, the designation S (for "Sedan") was used for standard carbureted short-wheelbase models; an E (for "Einspritzung", German for fuel-injection) was added to the 250SE, 280SE and 300SE. Long-wheelbase models gained an L (for "Lang", German for "long"), reflecting an extra 10 centimetres (3.9 in) added in
5760-607: The Saab GT 750 was introduced at the New York Motor Show in 1958 with safety belts fitted as standard, the practice became commonplace. Vattenfall , the Swedish national electric utility, did a study of all fatal, on-the-job accidents among their employees. The study revealed that the majority of fatalities occurred while the employees were on the road on company business. In response, two Vattenfall safety engineers, Bengt Odelgard and Per-Olof Weman, started to develop
5880-473: The airbag (if equipped), and by preventing occupants being ejected from the vehicle in a crash or if the vehicle rolls over . When in motion, the driver and passengers are traveling at the same speed as the vehicle. If the vehicle suddenly stops or crashes, the occupants continue at the same speed the vehicle was going before it stopped. A seat belt applies an opposing force to the driver and passengers to prevent them from falling out or making contact with
6000-436: The nomenclature scheme in 1991 renamed the S-Class with the "S" prefix that has three numbers for engine displacement in "centilitre" with no suffix for fuel type or wheelbase length. The extra information was sometimes affixed to the right-hand side of boot/trunk, denoting the diesel version (TURBODIESEL or later CDI), hybrid version (HYBRID), all-wheel-drive version (4MATIC), AMG, and MAYBACH. The second revision in 2015 allows
6120-536: The 1980s, Mercedes-Benz built the world's first driverless cars using the S-Class, together with the team of Professor Ernst Dickmanns at Bundeswehr Universität München . The culmination of this effort was achieved in 1995, when Dickmanns' re-engineered autonomous S-Class robot completed a trip from Munich , Bavaria to Copenhagen , Denmark and back. On the autobahn , the robot S-Class achieved speeds exceeding 175 km/h (109 mph). It suggested and executed overtaking maneuvers. The car's abilities left
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#17327806013496240-579: The 1980s, three-point belts were commonly available only in the front outboard seats of cars; the back seats were often only fitted with lap belts. Evidence of the potential of lap belts to cause separation of the lumbar vertebrae and the sometimes-associated paralysis , or " seat belt syndrome " led to the progressive revision of passenger safety regulations in nearly all developed countries to require three-point belts, first in all outboard seating positions, and eventually in all seating positions in passenger vehicles. Since September 1, 2007, all new cars sold in
6360-477: The 1995–96 Ford Escort / Mercury Tracer and the Eagle Summit Wagon , which had automatic safety belts along with dual airbags. Automatic belt systems generally offer inferior occupant crash protection. In systems with belts attached to the door rather than a sturdier fixed portion of the vehicle body, a crash that causes the vehicle door to open leaves the occupant without belt protection. In such
6480-544: The 2001 and 2002 S-Class to "average". Forbes described the W220 S500 as "built remarkably well." Early W220s in 1999 were recalled for issues with the trunk spring and the hydraulic fuel line; there were no recalls for the 2005 or 2006 model years. In 2002, Mercedes-Benz introduced the world's first preemptive safety system on the W220 with a system marketed as Pre-Safe . The W220 received an exterior refresh with updates to
6600-453: The 350/450 SE/SEL models were now regular options. Due to the oil crisis , fuel efficiency was the major concern for the engineers, yet they still added also the high-performance, limited-production 450 SEL 6.9 . This 8-cylinder model, affectionately referred to as simply "the 6.9", boasted the largest engine installed in a postwar Mercedes-Benz up to that time. Every 450 SEL 6.9 featured a self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, and offered
6720-559: The ABS anti-lock braking system as an option from 1978 onwards. Also, in the United States and Canada only, Mercedes-Benz introduced the economical but powerful 3.0-litre 5-cylinder turbo-diesel OM 617 A producing 85 kW (116 PS; 114 bhp) in 1978, sold as the 300SD. The W126 series premiered in September 1979, launching in March 1980 as a 1980 model and late 1980 as
6840-588: The S600 will carry a twin-turbo V12. There is also a diesel-powered S350 BlueTEC version, a hybrid S400 with a 20-kilowatt (27 PS; 27 hp) electric motor and 228 kW (310 PS; 306 bhp) V6 engine, a diesel-electric hybrid S300 BlueTEC. An S500 Plug-in Hybrid was later introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) with a market release in 2014 and claimed a 3 L/100 km (94 mpg ‑imp ; 78 mpg ‑US ) mileage,
6960-559: The S65 AMG still makes 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in just 4.2 seconds. The S600 makes the same sprint in about 4.6 seconds. The brakes continue to become more advanced with the new Brake Assist Plus system monitoring for an impending collision and increasing braking if needed, while the Distronic Plus radar-guided cruise control can now bring the car to a complete stop. This system works in outdoor conditions;
7080-456: The U.S. require a lap and shoulder belt in the center rear seat. In addition to regulatory changes, "seat belt syndrome" has led to a liability for vehicle manufacturers. One Los Angeles case resulted in a $ 45 million jury verdict against Ford; the resulting $ 30 million judgment (after deductions for another defendant who settled prior to trial) was affirmed on appeal in 2006. While lap belts are exceedingly rare to spot in modern cars, they are
7200-532: The U.S. variants obtained automatic belts and the Canadian versions retained manual belts, although some Canadian versions also had automatic seat belts. Two particular models affected were the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim . Automatic belt systems also present several operational disadvantages. Motorists who would normally wear seat belts must still fasten the manual lap belt, thus rendering redundant
7320-605: The US market. Following the mid-year face lift, the W140 coupe and sedan (Saloon) featured Electronic Stability Control . The W140 is heavily referred to or nicknamed as the Mercedes "Shabah/شبح" (Meaning "ghost" when translated) in many Middle Eastern countries. Mercedes-Benz presented the W220 in July 1998, marketed as a sedan, only. Despite being smaller than the previous generation, the W220 offered more interior space. Production of
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#17327806013497440-597: The W108 line dropped the 250SE in favor of the larger-engined 280S and 280SEL; the 250S remained as an entry model until 1969; the 300SE/SEL yielded their 3.0 litre inline-6 for the intermediate SL type (W113) 2.8 litre engine, and were later offered with a 3.5-litre V8 engine (in both the SE and SEL form, not in the U.S.) and 4.5-litre (U.S. only) and 6.3-litre V8 engines (in the SEL model only). The W108/109 lines, which eventually supplanted
7560-514: The W111 lines, were never available with four-cylinder engines. In 1972, Mercedes-Benz introduced the W116 line, the first to be officially called the S-Class . Produced from 1972 through 1980, the W116 series featured a four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes . The 280, 350, and 450 (4.5L version) models featured SE and SEL versions. Production of the W116 totaled 473,035 units. This
7680-526: The W126 S-Class sedans reached 818,036 units, with an additional 74,060 coupes sold. In December 1980, the W126 introduced a driver side airbag , as patented by Mercedes-Benz in 1971, as well as passenger side airbags (in 1988), seat-belt pretensioners, and traction control. It was the first production car to feature an airbag standard, and as late as 1991 there were only a few other manufacturers in Europe who offered an airbag. The interior featured additional courtesy and reading lamps, along with heated seats and
7800-440: The W220 totaled 485,000 units. The W220 introduced air suspension , marketed as Airmatic, as well as a navigation system with center console-mounted screen display, along with its input control system, marketed as COMAND. Other options included keyless entry and ignition, a radar-controlled cruise control system marketed as Distronic and a cylinder shut-off system marketed as Active Cylinder Control . The all-wheel drive system
7920-1027: The auto industry, dropped the mandate; the decision was overruled in a federal appeals court the following year, and then by the Supreme Court . In 1984, the Reagan Administration reversed its course, though in the meantime the original deadline had been extended; Elizabeth Dole , then Transportation Secretary, proposed that the two passive safety restraints be phased into vehicles gradually, from vehicle model year 1987 to vehicle model year 1990, when all vehicles would be required to have either automatic seat belts or driver side air bags. Though more awkward for vehicle occupants, most manufacturers opted to use less expensive automatic belts rather than airbags during this time period. When driver side airbags became mandatory on all passenger vehicles in model year 1995 , most manufacturers stopped equipping cars with automatic seat belts. Exceptions include
8040-408: The automation of the shoulder belt. Those who do not fasten the lap belt wind up inadequately protected only by the shoulder belt. In a crash, without a lap belt, such a vehicle occupant is likely to "submarine" (be thrown forward under the shoulder belt) and be seriously injured. Motorized or door-affixed shoulder belts hinder access to the vehicle, making it difficult to enter and exit—particularly if
8160-506: The automotive industry with his idea of retractable seat belts. This came about from his care of the high number of head injuries coming through the emergency room. He investigated the early seat belts with primitive designs that were implicated in these injuries and deaths. Nash was the first American car manufacturer to offer seat belts as a factory option, in its 1949 models. They were installed in 40,000 cars, but buyers did not want them and requested that dealers remove them. The feature
8280-409: The belt from extending off the reel during severe deceleration. There are two main types of inertial seat belt locks. A webbing-sensitive lock is based on a centrifugal clutch activated by the rapid acceleration of the strap (webbing) from the reel. The belt can be pulled from the reel only slowly and gradually, as when the occupant extends the belt to fasten it. A sudden rapid pull of the belt—as in
8400-401: The chassis code W112. The entry-level vehicles with four-cylinder engines were called W110. All three versions W110, W111, and W112, in both two- and four-door bodies, were based on the same unibody structure. The updated and larger W108 / W109 model lines were introduced in 1965. The squarish W108 line included the straight-six M129 engine powered 250S, 250SE, 280S 280SE and 280SEL. In 1968
8520-464: The company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, interior features, and safety systems (such as the first seatbelt pretensioners ). The S-Class has ranked as the world's best-selling luxury sedan. In automotive terms, Sonderklasse refers to "a specially outfitted car." Although used colloquially for decades, following its official application in 1972, six generations of officially named S-Klasse sedans have been produced. In 1981,
8640-591: The end of the car in the rear-view mirror. The Fintail series replaced the Ponton series. The exterior was designed for the European and North American markets. The W111 was a chassis code given to its top-range vehicles, including four-door sedans, produced from 1959 to 1968, and two-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. The W111, was initially attributed only to six-cylinder cars with 2.2-litre engines. The luxury version with big-block 3-litre engines were given
8760-400: The event an actual collision occurs. Pre-emptive systems generally use electric pretensioners, which can operate repeatedly and for a sustained period, rather than pyrotechnic pretensioners, which can only operate a single time. Webclamps stop the webbing in the event of an accident and limit the distance the webbing can spool out (caused by the unused webbing tightening on the central drum of
8880-520: The front fascia. The grille angle was adjusted to a slightly more upright position, and the xenon-discharge headlamps were given a new transparent housing, replacing the earlier opaque versions. The front bumper's lower air intakes were also restyled. In 2005, the S-Class was the first vehicle to receive a TÜV Institute environmental certificate from the German Commission on Technical Compliance for environmentally friendly components. The W220
9000-428: The interior of the car (especially preventing contact with, or going through, the windshield ). Seat belts are considered primary restraint systems (PRSs), because of their vital role in occupant safety. An analysis conducted in the United States in 1984 compared a variety of seat belt types alone and in combination with air bags . The range of fatality reduction for front seat passengers was broad, from 20% to 55%, as
9120-427: The laws. Some cut seat belts out of their cars. The 'belt' part of the typical seatbelt seen in vehicles worldwide is referred to as the 'webbing'. Modern seat belt webbing has a high tensile strength , about 3000-6000lbs, to resist tearing at high loads such as during high-speed collisions or while restraining larger passengers. While nylon was used in some early seat belts (and is still used for lap belts), it
9240-491: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=S_class&oldid=1223403200 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Mercedes-Benz S-Class The Mercedes-Benz S-Class , formerly known as Sonderklasse (German for "special class", abbreviated as "S-Klasse"),
9360-738: The mechanism). These belts also often incorporate an energy management loop ("rip stitching") in which a section of the webbing is looped and stitched with special stitching. The function of this is to "rip" at a predetermined load, which reduces the maximum force transmitted through the belt to the occupant during a violent collision, reducing injuries to the occupant. A study demonstrated that standard automotive three-point restraints fitted with pyrotechnic or electric pretensioners were not able to eliminate all interior passenger compartment head strikes in rollover test conditions. Electric pretensioners are often incorporated on vehicles equipped with precrash systems ; they are designed to reduce seat belt slack in
9480-452: The most powerful "Ponton" versions available. The Big "Ponton" model was Mercedes' first without a conventional frame, using a unitized body/frame construction. Mercedes-Benz Fintail ( German : Heckflosse ) is an informal nickname given to Mercedes-Benz vehicles notable for the presence of tailfins. Though never officially designated as such — Mercedes-Benz claimed they were functional and designated them Peilstege , assisting to mark
9600-641: The most powerful model in the W116 lineup, was awarded European Car of the Year in 1974. At the New England Auto Show in 1972 held in the fall season in Boston, the Monroney Label of a 1973 450SE was right at $ 13,000. 1973 was the first model year of the W116 for the US market. Starting in 1975, the W116 was upgraded with a new fuel injection system to comply with revised exhaust emission standards in European markets. A slight power reduction
9720-593: The new Toyota Cressida became the first car to offer motorized automatic passive seat belts. A study released in 1978 by the United States Department of Transportation said that cars with automatic seat belts had a fatality rate of .78 per 100 million miles, compared with 2.34 for cars with regular, manual belts. In 1981, Drew Lewis , the first Transportation Secretary of the Reagan Administration , influenced by studies done by
9840-466: The outboard front seating positions of many vehicles in the North American market starting at the inception of the shoulder belt requirement of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 on January 1, 1968. However, if the shoulder strap is used without the lap belt, the vehicle occupant is likely to "submarine", or slide forward in
9960-436: The probability of death in any given accident, mandatory seat belt laws have little or no effect on the overall number of traffic fatalities because seat belt usage also disincentivizes safe driving behaviors, thereby increasing the total number of accidents. This idea, known as compensating-behavior theory, is not supported by the evidence. In case of vehicle rollover in a U.S. passenger car or SUV, from 1994 to 2004, wearing
10080-461: The rear bumper. The wheels were updated to more modern-style ones. Safety is also improved on most Mercedes-Benz models with the orange-coloured light reflectors mounted on the sides of the bumpers. The C-Class look at the front is removed. Some shiny chrome is added to the bottom of the doors and bumper. In terms of performance, the S550 completes the 0–100 km/h (62 mph) run in just 5.4 seconds. Despite weighing 2,304 kg (5,079 lb),
10200-585: The rear passenger compartment. Since the advent of the W108 series, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always included two wheelbase lengths, although not all wheelbases are sold in every country. The more powerful 300SE and 300SEL models were classified as the W109 chassis, with front and rear air suspension (rather than the coil spring based W108 rear suspension), and available burl walnut interior trim, automatic transmission, and power windows. In 1968,
10320-419: The recessed areas, an easy-to-access first aid kit stowed in a recessed compartment on the rear parcel shelf prominently labeled with the universally recognized "cross" symbol which represents "first aid", and several other subtle safety features related to both active and passive safety. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a classic chauffeur driven car, and has frequently been used as standard by car hire companies. It
10440-520: The risk of "submarining", which occurs when a passenger slides forward under a loosely fitted seat belt. Some systems also pre-emptively tighten the belt during fast accelerations and strong decelerations, even if no crash has happened. This has the advantage that it may help prevent the driver from sliding out of position during violent evasive maneuvers, which could cause loss of control of the vehicle. These pre-emptive safety systems may prevent some collisions from happening, as well as reduce injuries in
10560-469: The road ahead (Road Surface Scan) and communicate with the Active Body Control suspension to ready it for an uneven road surface. Initially available only on 8-cylinder models and above, Magic Ride Control attempts to isolate the car's body by predicting rather than reacting to broken pavement and speed humps. Available luxury appointments over and above what was offered in the W221 include
10680-469: The seat and out from under the belt, in a frontal collision. In the mid-1970s, three-point belt systems such as Chrysler's "Uni-Belt" began to supplant the separate lap and shoulder belts in American-made cars, though such three-point belts had already been supplied in European vehicles such as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz , and Saab for some years. A three-point belt is a Y-shaped arrangement, similar to
10800-481: The separate lap and sash belts, but unified. Like the separate lap-and-sash belt, in a collision, the three-point belt spreads out the energy of the moving body over the chest, pelvis, and shoulders. Volvo introduced the first production three-point belt in 1959. The first car with a three-point belt was a Volvo PV 544 that was delivered to a dealer in Kristianstad on August 13, 1959. The first car model to have
10920-440: The short-wheelbase model carries chassis code W222, the long-wheelbase model uses chassis code V222. Unlike previous generations, Mercedes focused primarily on the development of the longer model as many customers in the fast-growing Asian markets prefer to be chauffeured. In 2016 Mercedes W222 was the last car with an S65 AMG engine. Inside, almost every surface is covered by a 'luxury' material – everything that looks like leather
11040-400: The smaller of the two V8 engines, the 3.8 litre, which turned out to be a disaster, both due to timing chain repair issues, and to being severely underpowered, with 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration in a leisurely 11 seconds and a modest top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h). The 5.0 litre engine was far more capable, with 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration in 7.3 seconds and
11160-529: The standard in commercial airliners. The lift-lever style of commercial aircraft buckles allows for the seatbelt to be easily clasped and unclasped, accessible quickly in case of an emergency where a passenger must evacuate, and fulfills the minimum safety requirements provided by the FAA while remaining low-cost to produce. Furthermore, in case of any collision, a passenger in economy class has only around 9 inches for their head to travel forward, meaning restraining
11280-436: The suffixes such as d (diesel), e ( plug-in hybrid ), and the h (mild hybrid) for several years before h was dropped. For 2018 model year, the model designation and AMG and MAYBACH labels switched their position to the left. The W180 line debuted in 1954, and is the first lineup of " Ponton " models retroactively associated with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The W180 featured six-cylinder sedan, coupé, and convertible models, and
11400-402: The thread density. Modern seatbelt weaves also feature snag-proof selvedges reinforced with strong polyester threads to prevent the wear and tear, while remaining flexible. The weave features about 300 warp threads for every 46mm wide webbing, leading to around 150 ends per inch of webbing. Accident investigators often examine the webbing of a seatbelt to determine if an occupant of a vehicle
11520-476: The three-point seat belt as a standard item was the 1959 Volvo 122 , first outfitted with a two-point belt at initial delivery in 1958, replaced with the three-point seat belt the following year. The three-point belt was developed by Nils Bohlin , who had earlier also worked on ejection seats at Saab . Volvo then made the new seat belt design patent open in the interest of safety and made it available to other car manufacturers for free. The Belt-in-Seat (BIS)
11640-495: The torso and head is relatively unnecessary as the head has little room to accelerate before collision. A "sash" or shoulder harness is a strap that goes diagonally over the vehicle occupant's outboard shoulder and is buckled inboard of their lap. The shoulder harness may attach to the lap belt tongue, or it may have a tongue and buckle completely separate from those of the lap belt. Shoulder harnesses of this separate or semi-separate type were installed in conjunction with lap belts in
11760-419: The two taillights. Gone are the body-coloured strips through the tail lamps. Other noticeable changes at the front of the car are a more pronounced arrow-shaped grille, a new front bumper with a light-catching contour, and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes. New, sleeker rear-view door mirrors with LED turn signals were also added. The exhaust tailpipes of all S-Class variants were visibly integrated into
11880-458: The two-door, four-seat S-Class, designated as SEC, was introduced, sharing the petrol V8 engines with its four-door version, W126. After the introduction of a new nomenclature scheme, SEC was simply renamed as S-Class Coupé. For the 1996 model year, the coupé was separated from the S-Class line and named as new CL-Class (in line with other two-door models: CLK, SL, and SLK); however, the CL-Class
12000-409: The vehicle. In the absence of rapid deceleration or rollover, the reel is unlocked and the belt strap may be pulled from the reel against the spring tension of the reel. The vehicle occupant can move around with relative freedom while the spring tension of the reel keeps the belt taut against the occupant. When the pendulum swings away from its normal plumb position due to sudden deceleration or rollover,
12120-527: The whole speed scale, whereas none of the belted occupants was fatally injured at accident speeds below 60 mph. No belted occupant was fatally injured if the passenger compartment remained intact. Bohlin was granted U.S. patent 3,043,625 for the device. Subsequently, in 1966, Congress passed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act , requiring all automobiles to comply with certain safety standards. The first compulsory seat belt law
12240-570: Was "met with insurmountable sales resistance" and Nash reported that after one year "only 1,000 had been used" by customers. Ford offered seat belts as an option in 1955. These were not popular, with only 2% of Ford buyers choosing to pay for seat belts in 1956. To reduce the high level of injuries Shelden was seeing, he proposed, in late 1955, retractable seat belts, recessed steering wheels , reinforced roofs, roll bars , automatic door locks, and passive restraints such as air bags be made mandatory. Glenn W. Sheren, of Mason, Michigan , submitted
12360-423: Was a groundbreaking sedan for Mercedes-Benz, and for the first time in the company history, the car had an obvious, blatant and outward emphasis on safety placed above a pure styling viewpoint. The overall design incorporated numerous safety features developed from the "safety research vehicles" in the mid-to-late 1960s to the very early 1970s. These safety features were all newly introduced passenger-car "firsts" on
12480-458: Was a result of this update, but in 1978, a series of further engine upgrades restored original performance levels under the new fuel injection systems. Between 1973 and 1977, 997 Special Edition W116 models were made on order by Mercedes. These cars incorporated stronger body paneling and suspension and was 50 kg heavier than its normal counterpart. With the W116 models, the V8-engines of
12600-519: Was available after the engine was turned off. In 1993, Mercedes-Benz model nomenclature was rationalized, with the SE/SEL/SEC cars becoming the S-Class and alphanumerical designations inverted (e.g. both the 500SE and 500SEL became S500 regardless of wheelbase length). In 1995, the W140 received a minor face lift featuring clear turn signal indicator lenses on the front and rear as well as headlamps fitted with separate low- and high-beam reflectors for
12720-550: Was available with more engine options than the W126 or W140. The range started with smaller 2.8 (Singapore) then 3.2L 165 kW (224 PS; 221 bhp) V6 motor, which was superseded by an enlarged 3.7 L 180 kW (245 PS; 242 bhp) V6 in the S350. The S430 was powered by a 4.3 L 205 kW (279 PS; 275 bhp) V8 and the S500 was powered by a 5.0 L 225 kW (306 PS; 302 bhp) V8. The S55 AMG
12840-627: Was introduced in the autumn of 2005 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, with sales starting in autumn of 2005 and export to other markets beginning in 2006. Again there was a big change in design. The W221 S-Class made its North American premiere at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, and it features three newly developed engines with up to 26% power increase. The interior
12960-473: Was introduced to the North America market S-Class for 2003, and marketed as 4MATIC . Consumer Reports classified the W220 model's reliability as "poor," its lowest rating, and called it one of the "least reliable luxury cars;" Edmunds gave the S-Class a 5 out of 5 reliability rating; and MSN Autos gave a rating of 9.0 out of 10. By March 2011, Consumer Reports revised its reliability ratings for
13080-544: Was outfitted with a supercharged 5.4 L 368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp) V8 motor, the S55 AMG 2000/2001 was outfitted with the naturally aspirated 5.4 L 265 kW (360 PS; 355 bhp) V8 motor. The S600 was outfitted with a 5.5 L 368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp) M275 V12 biturbo engine, the S600 2000/2001 was outfitted with the naturally aspirated M137 5.8 L 270 kW (367 PS; 362 bhp) V12 engine. In 2001, Mercedes produced
13200-490: Was produced until 1959. It featured the 220S models (sedan, coupé, and cabriolet) powered by a 2.2L straight-6 , and came to ten. The " Ponton " designation referred to its unibody construction , with the era's rounded fenders a stylistic feature on the W180 model. The "Ponton" lineup included four- and six-cylinder models, but only the six-cylinder W180 line is considered part of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class chronology, as they were
13320-474: Was put in place in 1970, in the state of Victoria , Australia , requiring their use by drivers and front-seat passengers. This legislation was enacted after trialing Hemco seat belts, designed by Desmond Hemphill (1926–2001), in the front seats of police vehicles, lowering the incidence of officer injury and death. Mandatory seat belt laws in the United States began to be introduced in the 1980s and faced opposition, with some consumers going to court to challenge
13440-486: Was reintegrated into the S-Class model line (same with CLK becoming E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet). The first-ever S-Class convertible since 1972, internally named A217, was introduced and became a one-generation model only. After the end of W222 production in 2020, the successors to the C217 coupé and A217 convertible are not planned, citing the low demand for those models and stronger demand for SUV models. The major revision to
13560-451: Was replaced by 100% polyester due to its better UV resistance, lower extensibility and higher stiffness. Nylon was also prone to stretching much more than polyester, and was prone to wear and tear, with tiny abrasions drastically reducing tensile strength causing a lack of reliability in one of the most important safety measures in a vehicle. Seat belts are commonly 46 or 48 mm wide with a 2/2 herringbone twill weaving pattern to maximize
13680-438: Was strong lobbying against the passive restraint requirement by the auto industry. Adams was criticized by Ralph Nader , who said that the 1983 deadline was too late. The Volkswagen Rabbit also had automatic seat belts, and VW said that by early 1978, 90,000 cars had sold with them. General Motors introduced a three-point non-motorized passive belt system in 1980 to comply with the passive restraint requirement. However, it
13800-404: Was the S550 (called S500 outside North America), with the S600 arriving in the following spring. In the US for the 2010 model year, the S-Class received a facelift across the entire model line in mid-2009, with a new S400 Hybrid version. Daytime LED running lights were fitted to the outer edges of the bi-xenon lamp units. The rear end was accented with a total of 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in
13920-453: Was the range of major injury, from 25% to 60%. More recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has summarized these data by stating "seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half." Most malfunctions are a result of there being too much slack in the seat belt at the time of the accident. It has been suggested that although seat belt usage reduces
14040-549: Was unveiled on 2 September 2020. This generation will not feature a coupe or convertible model as they will instead be replaced by the next generation AMG GT and SL-Class models respectively. The interior of the new model includes up to five displays , augmented reality head-up display and an ambient lighting system. Additionally, the W223 S-Class is the first car in the world to come with rear seat airbags that work by using gas to inflate supporting structures to deploy
14160-473: Was used as an active lap-shoulder belt because of unlatching the belt to exit the vehicle. Despite this common practice, field studies of belt use still showed an increase in wearing rates with this door-mounted system. General Motors began offering automatic seat belts on the Chevrolet Chevette . However, the company reported disappointing sales because of this feature. For the 1981 model year,
14280-412: Was used throughout the 1980s with the marketing of the W126 S-Class. However, following the formation of DaimlerChrysler and the cessation of engineer-sanctioned overbudgeting in the late 1990s, this slogan was dropped. The subsequent W220 model S-Class was reported to suffer from relatively lower reliability and quality rates than previous models. However, ratings have been improving since the W221. In
14400-500: Was wearing their seatbelt during a collision. The material of the webbing may contain traces of the occupant's clothing. Certain materials such as nylons may become permanently affixed or melted onto the fabric as a result of heat produced by friction, whereas fiber based clothing leaves no remains on modern webbing. A two-point belt attaches at its two endpoints. A simple strap was first used March 12, 1910, by pilot Benjamin Foulois ,
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