| Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz |
| Also called | Mercedes-Benz 6.9 (North America) |
| Production | 1975–1980 |
| Model years | 1977–1981 (North America) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car (F) |
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W116 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6834 cc M100 V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,960 mm (116.5 in) |
| Length | 5,060 mm (199.2 in) 5,335 mm (210.0 in) (US and Canada) |
| Width | 1,870 mm (73.6 in) |
| Height | 1,430 mm (56.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,985 kg (4,376 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 |
The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 (marketed in North America as simply the Mercedes-Benz 6.9) is the high-performance version of the W116 S-Class saloon. It was based on the long-wheelbase version of W116 chassis introduced in 1972 and equipped with Mercedes-Benz M100 V8 engine and full hydropneumatic suspension system. The 450SEL 6.9 was presented to the public at the Geneva Auto Show in 1974 as the successor to the original high-performance saloon from Mercedes-Benz, the 300SEL 6.3 (1968–1972). Like the 300SEL 6.3 before it, the special displacement number (6.9) was affixed to the trunk lid to differentiate itself from the 450SEL. The 450SEL 6.9 was produced in very limited numbers from 1975 to 1980.
The 450SEL 6.9 had the first full four-wheel hydropneumatic suspension system from Mercedes-Benz and was the world’s first passenger car to be fitted with a modern form of ABS, an electronic four-wheel multi-channel anti-lock braking system from Bosch, in 1978.[1][2]
For several years, the 450SEL 6.9 was the quickest-accelerating and fastest saloon in the world, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.4 seconds and 225 km/h (140 mph) top speed.[3]
The total production from 1975 to 1980 was 7,380 units, with 1,816 exported to the North American markets (United States and Canada) from 1977 to 1981.
- ^ "Safe Braking: Start of developing Bosch's anti-lock braking system ABS, The first production-ready ABS". Bosch GmbH. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Venugopal, Abhinand (27 August 2018). "ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) — A Brief History Of A 40-Year-Old Life-Saver". Drive Spark.
- ^ Davis, Jr., David (1 July 1977). "Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9: Fastest European Sedan". Car and Driver.