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THEN & NOW
Tracing the family tree
Mercedes' modern E has roots that go back six generations
By Bob English
Thursday, August 14, 2003
THEN
When Mercedes-Benz introduced its latest generation of E-Class sedans it continued a mid-size sedan connection stretching back through six models, all the way to an early 1950s design nicknamed after a bridge.
The Mercedes-Benz 180 'Ponton' in German, (pontoon in English) marked the beginning of a new era for Daimler-Benz and put the struggles of the post-war years firmly behind. The company had virtually ceased to exist by the war's end in 1945, but recovered first as a repair facility for military vehicles, then by refurbishing and selling pre-war vehicles. It wasn't until 1946 that production resumed with versions of the pre-war 170V. In 1949 the first 'new' models were being built - the Mercedes 170S and 170D, though they were essentially updates of the pre-war cars. Trucks were also being manufactured.
By 1951 the first new cars were being produced, the 220 and the 300 - the latter known as the "Adenauer" after Germany's Chancellor. These were big, classic sedans built to a traditional design. Not so traditional in those early '50s were the cars Mercedes used to go racing again - the legendary 300SLs - but that's another story.
Which brings us to 1953 and the modern E-Class' forebear, the 180 sedan (designated W120/121 in-house) or, as it's still affectionately known, the Ponton, which celebrates its 50th birthday this year.
The 180 was a technical departure for Mercedes - its first move toward unibody (single-shell) construction - and won a marketing bout for survival over a more conservative and traditionally built new 170, which soon disappeared.
The 180 was a "modern" car, based on the three-box concept pioneered by U.S. automakers. This gave more internal room and its larger glass area provided an improved view. The body was an all-enveloping design that still looks attractive today.
The 180 wasn't a full unibody design because the body was still a separate structure fitted to (but integral with) a separate floor pan.
It was, however, the first Mercedes and one of the first cars anywhere to apply elements of the recently patented 'crumple zone' approach to crash protection.
It also pioneered the use of a front subframe to which engine, transmission and suspension were attached.
The suspension was independent with a double-jointed swing-arm rear axle (soon replaced with something a bit more stable) and drum brakes all round. That first 180's engine was a fairly primitive, 1.8-litre, side valve design producing just 52 horsepower. Power got to the rear wheels via a column-mounted, 4-speed gearbox. The 180 could accelerate to 100 km/h in 31 seconds with a top speed of 126 km/h.
This model later acquired a diesel engine (its service life of 1 million kilometres was a big hit with the taxi industry). Additional models followed, with the 190, 190SL, 220a, 220 S and SE being most notable. The Ponton was built from 1953 through '62.
The next E-Class antecedent was the W110 version of the 190/190D, 200, 200D and 230 sedans. Dubbed the 'tail fin' models, they were 230 mm longer and came with additional refinements, plus 4- and 6-cylinder gasoline engines with up to 105 hp. Diesel versions offered 55 hp. These cars had modern but staid-looking bodies and were produced from 1961 to '68.
The 'stroke-8' was introduced in 1968 and came with improved suspension and additional safety features. The engine range was a mix of gas and diesels, including the world's first 5-cylinder design. A 2-door was also added to the range. It was produced until 1976.
Next up, the W123 was built from 1976 to '85 and proved a strong seller with its more elegant and wedge-shaped styling. It also saw the first station wagon's arrival. An array of engines offered ratings of up to 177 hp on gasoline and 126 hp in turbodiesel form.
The W125, which became known as the E-Class in 1993, was manufactured from 1985 to '95 and drove into the modern era of high technology and electronics. The new shape (also in coupe, wagon and later convertible versions) was more handsome and aerodynamic, with new features such as a single-arm screen wiper, anti-skid systems, and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The E-Class' 1995 redesign was a dramatic departure from the previous conservative machines with its four lozenge-shape headlamps in a sleek, low drag nose, still retaining the traditional Mercedes grille. This series introduced even more electronics for things such as rain sensors and park-warning systems, improved safety and a range of V8 engines. Production ended in 2001.
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