Luxury in best form: the model series 140 (1991 to 1997)

In 1991 the 140-series S-Class appeared as the new top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz. Its developers set their sights on maximum comfort, achieved partly with generous dimensions and double-glazed windows for optimum noise insulation. This was the first time a series production Mercedes-Benz car was equipped with a V12 engine, in the flagship 600 SE and 600 SEL models. The power range began with the 300 SD Turbodiesel, which now also made the luxury class diesel available in markets outside North America. This generation of the S-Class also introduced a trailblazing safety innovation into automobile engineering: the Electronic Stability Program ESP^®, which became standard equipment for the V12 models in 1995 and optional for the V8 models. In the following year Brake Assist BAS was also added.