S-Class Design: Evolution Punctuated by Revolution

MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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33 videos
unveiled its new S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class 6Germany, 2014 > present39 versions
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last week, and while the car does not push the limits of automotive design, it is a handsome evolution of S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-ClassGermany, 1972 > present6 series
293 versions
353 photos
1 video
style.

Style is important when buying a car that costs as much as some homes. Wealthy buyers do not necessarily want to show off, but the car still needs to be somewhat imposing. 

The modern interpretation of the S-Class was introduced in the 50s. While Mercedes has been making luxury sedans practically since it was founded, the S-Class moniker first showed up on the 1951 220Mercedes-Benz 220 Gen.2Germany, 1956 > 19595 versions
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model. The car had a three-box design that is still reflected on the S-Class today. It also had its headlights integrated into the bumper design. The cars received the nickname "pontoons" for their large round fenders at the front and rear. 

At the same time as the 220, Mercedes had its 300Mercedes-Benz Type 300 Gen.1Germany, 1951 > 195712 versions
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model that represented its ultimate luxury car. They were on par with Rolls-RoyceRolls-RoyceUnited Kingdom, 1904 > present31 models
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or other top luxury marques. Mercedes dabbled in the market several times since then with cars like the 600Mercedes-Benz 600 Gen.2Germany, 1964 > 19796 versions
20 photos
3 videos
and MaybachMaybachGermany, 1909 > present15 models
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. 

The next major change in S-ClassMercedes-Benz 220 Gen.4Germany, 1959 > 19656 versions
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design was the tailfin design that was introduced in 1959. The design came from American cars of the 50s with large fins at the rear that were inspired by World War 2 fighter planes. The tailfin Mercedes never went as far with their fins as the Americans, but the inspiration was there.

These cars also had vertical headlights. The combination of tailfins, vertical headlights and lots of chrome for a European car of the period make the 1959 to 1968 S-Class one of the most beautifully baroque designs of its age. 

These were also the first vehicles ever created with crumple zones. They also had a defined passenger cell carried over from the previous generation to further enhance safety.

The carsMercedes-Benz 280 Gen.3Germany, 1968 > 197315 versions
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received a facelift in1965 that softened many of the features, including smaller fins and less chrome.

In 1972, Mercedes replaced the previous generation with the first wholly new exterior design since the 1951 car. The general shape of the W116 S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class Gen.1 [W 116]Germany, 1972 > 198023 versions
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would define what an S-Class looked like until the W220Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gen.4 [W 220/ V 220]Germany, 1998 > 200531 versions
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in 1999. Granted, there were three generations from 1972 to 1999, but exterior design was repeatedly refreshed over the years with no change in idiom. 

The cars dropped the pontoon fenders, tailfins and vertical headlights in favor of a monolithic design. The cars looked big and imposing with less chrome and flatter sheet metal.

The W126 S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class Gen.2 [W 126/ V 126]Germany, 1979 > 199183 versions
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was introduced in 1979, but kept the same basic exterior design. The bumpers were integrated into the body and covered with plastic, and there were added plastic panels on the sides. Otherwise, little was changed. 

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gen.3 [W 140/ V 140]Germany, 1991 > 199844 versions
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in 1990 was the first to point toward a change in style. The looks were still inspired by the W116, but the grill was tilted back to improve aerodynamics. The rear got some major changes as well. In profile, the car was mostly the same, though. 

The W220Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gen.4 [W 220/ V 220]Germany, 1998 > 200531 versions
26 photos
finally revolutionized S-Class design when it went on sale in 1999. It completely changed every aspect of S-Class design with better aerodynamics and a far more sleek design. A facelift in 2003 made the cars even sleeker. The W221Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gen.5 [W 221/ V 221]Germany, 2005 > 201373 versions
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further refined the design in 2005 but added large fender flares. 

The latest W222 S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class 6Germany, 2014 > present39 versions
113 photos
continues on the design set up the W220. It gets a new shape for the LED headlights, and the large fender flares are gone. Their replacements are concave indentations that extend down the side of the car. 

The S-Class likes to evolve slowly for decades and then make a massive leap in design. If history is any indication, it will be the next generation S-Class that goes for a truly revolutionary design after what will be three generations of W220-inspired cars.