The Mercedes-Benz W116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980.
The W116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although earlier sedan models had already unofficially been designated with the letter ‘S’ – for Sonderklasse or “special class.” The W116 was selected European Car of the Year in 1974.