Mercedes-Benz 600

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Also called	Grand Mercedes Grosser Mercedes
Production	1963–1981 2,677 built[1] SWB: 2,190 LWB: 428 Landaulet: 59
Assembly	West Germany: Stuttgart
Designer	Bruno Sacco Friedrich Geiger Paul Bracq
Body and chassis
Class	Ultra-luxury car Limousine
Body style	4-door saloon (SWB) 4-door limousine 6-door limousine Landaulet limousine
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	6.3 L M100 V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 3,200 mm (126.0 in) LWB: 3,900 mm (153.5 in)
Length	SWB: 5,580 mm (219.7 in) LWB: 6,340 mm (249.6 in)
Width	1,950 mm (76.8 in)
Height	SWB: 1,500 mm (59.1 in) LWB: 1,510 mm (59.4 in)
Curb weight	2,990–3,280 kg (6,592–7,231 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz 770 Mercedes-Benz 300d
Successor	Mercedes-Benz S 600 (600 SWB; 1993–present) (Spiritual Successor) Maybach 57 and 62 (600 Pullman; 2002–2012) (True Successor) Mercedes-Maybach S 600 (600 LWB; 2015–present) (Spiritual Successor)

The Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) is a line of ultra-luxury cars produced by Daimler-Benz from 1963 to 1981. The forerunner of the modern Maybach marque, the Grosser Mercedes ("Grand Mercedes") succeeded the Type 300d "Adenauer" (W189) as the company's flagship model. It was positioned above the subsequent 300-series (W112) in price, amenities, and status. In 1963 the Mercedes-Benz 600 was the most expensive car in the world. Its few competitors included British and American equivalents such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lincoln Continental, Cadillac Series 75, and Imperial. It was well known for its ownership among celebrities and political leaders and royalty throughout the late 20th century.^[2] Many experts and enthusiasts consider it to be the greatest luxury vehicle ever made. Even today owning a Mercedes-Benz 600 can be very expensive and extremely costly to maintain, they can cost as much as 3.5 million dollars.^{[citation needed]}

Generally, the short-wheelbase (SWB) models were designed to be owner-driven, whereas the long-wheelbase (LWB) and limousine models, often incorporating a central divider with power window, were intended for chauffeur operation.