S-Class chronology

The following generations of Mercedes-Benz flagship models are considered part of the lineage of the modern S-Class:

Debut Chassis code Name/class Major models

1955 W180 "Ponton" 220S (S-Class notes)

1958 W128 "Ponton" 220SE (S-Class notes)

1959 W111 "Fintail" 220b/Sb/SEb (S-Class notes)

1961 W112 "Fintail" 300SE/SEL (S-Class notes)

1965 W108 N/A 250S/SE, 300SE/SEL (S-Class notes)

1972 W116 S-Class 280S/SE/SEL, 350/450SE/SEL, 300SD (S-Class notes)

1979 W126 S-Class 280/300SE/SEL, 420/500/560SE/SEL/SEC, 350SD/SDL (S-Class notes)

1991 W140 S-Class 300SE/SEL, 400/500/600SEL, 500/600SEC, 300SD (S-Class notes)

1999 W220 S-Class S280, S320, S350, S430, S500, S600, S320 CDI, S55, S65 (S-Class notes)

2005 W221 S-Class S300(280), S350, S450, S550(500), S600, S320/S420 CDI, S63, S65 (S-Class notes)