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Autobahn Adventurer
The Mercedes-Benz "Mid-Series"
Article:
In November 1984 Daimler-Benz presented its eagerly awaited new sedan in the Mercedes mid-series. The W 124 series was wedged between the youthful and compact 190 models, the predecessor of today’s C-Class, and the already established S-Class. Like its successful predecessor the W 123, the W 124 established new benchmarks in terms of technology and design. With its successful new gasoline and diesel engines, it was lighter, more dynamic and safer. A total of 2,058,777 sedans were produced up to 1995. The station wagon variant made its debut nine months after the market launch of the sedan; altogether 340,503 of these came off the production line.
There was a freshness to the design of the new series, yet it maintained the sense of continuity typical of Mercedes. The sedan’s tapering tail with boldly rounded upper edges, steep air-flow break-away edge at the rear and trapezoidal, low-cut trunk lid emphasized the new line. Moreover, the sensationally low Cd value of 0.30 promised considerable fuel savings – no trifling matter in times of oil crises and rising fuel prices.
To a large extent the running gear was broadly based on that of the compact-class 201 series presented just one year earlier. A new feature integrated in the shock absorber strut independent front suspension located by wishbones was anti-dive control, designed to increase comfort and safety; the already familiar innovative multi-link independent suspension from the 190 series now took up its role at the rear of the mid-series.
In addition to the two four-cylinder gasoline engines (90 kW/122 hp and 100 kW/136 hp) borrowed from the previous model, there were also two new 2.6 and three-liter six-cylinder direct injection units (125 kW/170 hp and 140 kW/190 hp) whose silken running proved popular from the start. In October 1990 the first eight-cylinder engine to appear in this model series was fitted to the 500 E – a 240 kW/326 hp unit – and the 400 E with 205 kW/279 hp followed on the German market in September 1992. In that year, too, four-valve technology was fitted to the four- and six-cylinder engines. Although this developed only fractionally more output, it offered significantly greater torque at low revs and reduced fuel consumption overall.
As for the diesels, a new engine generation with improved performance in four-, five- and six-cylinder units was on offer from series launch, the larger variants getting an additional boost in output in 1987 and 1988 from an exhaust gas turbocharger – the 300 D Turbodiesel developing 108 kW (147 hp). The “Diesel ‘89” package improved emissions quality in all engines thanks to internal features such as oblique fuel injection, exhaust gas recirculation and altitude capsule. Particulate emissions, in particular, were cut by a full 40 percent, which amounted to virtually smoke-free operation. The introduction shortly afterwards of the oxidation catalyst for all diesel versions improved these figures by a further 30 percent. In 1993 four-valve technology was introduced into the five- and six-cylinder diesel engines – a world first. A particular feature of the six-cylinder, moreover, was a three-phase variable intake manifold which gave the unit even greater bite.
1985 saw the appearance of the station wagon, followed in 1987 by the coupe and in 1989 by the long-wheelbase version of the sedan boasting six doors and three rows of comfortable seats. And in 1991, after 20 years of abstinence in this segment, Mercedes-Benz finally provided their customers with a four-seater convertible. Thanks to newly-defined design principles involving diagonal braces and vibration dampers, the convertible was just as rigid, tremor-free and crash-safe as the sedans, and came complete with electrically operated folding soft-top, heated rear window and a roll-over bar integrated in the rear head restraints. There was even a draught-stop à la SL, an additional practical feature for owners.
A touch of extra class was to be found in the 500 E of 1990, a car coursing with SL genes. Its potency hidden at first sight to all but the connoisseur, this sedan was the first in a long line of extravagant high-performance Mercedes-Benz limousines stretching to the present day. The first addition to the range came in 1993 in the form of the AMG E 60, a car which packed a mighty 280 kW/381 hp.
The W 124 underwent its first facelift in 1989, outwardly visible in the plastic side paneling to the doors and fenders with integrated side skirts. The latter’s upper edges were given additional emphasis by the inclusion of narrow chrome trim strips. The introduction of a “Sportline” package for all models proved a huge success, permitting customers at last to order a car with lowered suspension ex factory, complete with tauter springing, wide wheels, sports seats and a smaller leather steering wheel.
The list of innovations which enjoyed their premiere in the 124 was lengthy – and demonstrated the technological superiority of the brand. They included automatic locking differential (ASD), acceleration skid control (ASR), the automatically engaging four-wheel drive (4MATIC) and five-speed automatic transmission. The closed-loop catalytic converter was an option from series launch, becoming standard the following year. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) was also initially an optional extra which became standard in February 1988. The front passenger airbag became available in September 1988, and has been a standard equipment feature of the E-Class since 1994.
The second restyling came in 1993. Its most distinctive feature was the so-called integrated radiator set into the engine hood. This would ultimately find its way into the other model series, a feature which meant that the Mercedes star now found its place on the engine hood. In addition, protective strips in the same color as the car reached to the wheel arches at the rear. Slight modifications to the rear end and trunk lid also helped give the sedan a new and fresh appearance – all of which boosted the car’s appeal to customers.
Also in 1993, Mercedes-Benz introduced a change in nomenclature resulting in a restructuring of the passenger car series: The Mercedes mid-series became the “E-Class”.
The W 124 continued to be built until June 1995, and in the eleven years of its market presence it became the brand’s most successful, most diverse and most innovative model series – all characteristics retained by the E-Class even today.
Photos: (Click to Enlarge)
Copyright © 2009, Daimler AG
Source: eMercedesBenz Feature:* The Mercedes-Benz "Mid-Series" | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog
Article:
In November 1984 Daimler-Benz presented its eagerly awaited new sedan in the Mercedes mid-series. The W 124 series was wedged between the youthful and compact 190 models, the predecessor of today’s C-Class, and the already established S-Class. Like its successful predecessor the W 123, the W 124 established new benchmarks in terms of technology and design. With its successful new gasoline and diesel engines, it was lighter, more dynamic and safer. A total of 2,058,777 sedans were produced up to 1995. The station wagon variant made its debut nine months after the market launch of the sedan; altogether 340,503 of these came off the production line.
There was a freshness to the design of the new series, yet it maintained the sense of continuity typical of Mercedes. The sedan’s tapering tail with boldly rounded upper edges, steep air-flow break-away edge at the rear and trapezoidal, low-cut trunk lid emphasized the new line. Moreover, the sensationally low Cd value of 0.30 promised considerable fuel savings – no trifling matter in times of oil crises and rising fuel prices.
To a large extent the running gear was broadly based on that of the compact-class 201 series presented just one year earlier. A new feature integrated in the shock absorber strut independent front suspension located by wishbones was anti-dive control, designed to increase comfort and safety; the already familiar innovative multi-link independent suspension from the 190 series now took up its role at the rear of the mid-series.
In addition to the two four-cylinder gasoline engines (90 kW/122 hp and 100 kW/136 hp) borrowed from the previous model, there were also two new 2.6 and three-liter six-cylinder direct injection units (125 kW/170 hp and 140 kW/190 hp) whose silken running proved popular from the start. In October 1990 the first eight-cylinder engine to appear in this model series was fitted to the 500 E – a 240 kW/326 hp unit – and the 400 E with 205 kW/279 hp followed on the German market in September 1992. In that year, too, four-valve technology was fitted to the four- and six-cylinder engines. Although this developed only fractionally more output, it offered significantly greater torque at low revs and reduced fuel consumption overall.
As for the diesels, a new engine generation with improved performance in four-, five- and six-cylinder units was on offer from series launch, the larger variants getting an additional boost in output in 1987 and 1988 from an exhaust gas turbocharger – the 300 D Turbodiesel developing 108 kW (147 hp). The “Diesel ‘89” package improved emissions quality in all engines thanks to internal features such as oblique fuel injection, exhaust gas recirculation and altitude capsule. Particulate emissions, in particular, were cut by a full 40 percent, which amounted to virtually smoke-free operation. The introduction shortly afterwards of the oxidation catalyst for all diesel versions improved these figures by a further 30 percent. In 1993 four-valve technology was introduced into the five- and six-cylinder diesel engines – a world first. A particular feature of the six-cylinder, moreover, was a three-phase variable intake manifold which gave the unit even greater bite.
1985 saw the appearance of the station wagon, followed in 1987 by the coupe and in 1989 by the long-wheelbase version of the sedan boasting six doors and three rows of comfortable seats. And in 1991, after 20 years of abstinence in this segment, Mercedes-Benz finally provided their customers with a four-seater convertible. Thanks to newly-defined design principles involving diagonal braces and vibration dampers, the convertible was just as rigid, tremor-free and crash-safe as the sedans, and came complete with electrically operated folding soft-top, heated rear window and a roll-over bar integrated in the rear head restraints. There was even a draught-stop à la SL, an additional practical feature for owners.
A touch of extra class was to be found in the 500 E of 1990, a car coursing with SL genes. Its potency hidden at first sight to all but the connoisseur, this sedan was the first in a long line of extravagant high-performance Mercedes-Benz limousines stretching to the present day. The first addition to the range came in 1993 in the form of the AMG E 60, a car which packed a mighty 280 kW/381 hp.
The W 124 underwent its first facelift in 1989, outwardly visible in the plastic side paneling to the doors and fenders with integrated side skirts. The latter’s upper edges were given additional emphasis by the inclusion of narrow chrome trim strips. The introduction of a “Sportline” package for all models proved a huge success, permitting customers at last to order a car with lowered suspension ex factory, complete with tauter springing, wide wheels, sports seats and a smaller leather steering wheel.
The list of innovations which enjoyed their premiere in the 124 was lengthy – and demonstrated the technological superiority of the brand. They included automatic locking differential (ASD), acceleration skid control (ASR), the automatically engaging four-wheel drive (4MATIC) and five-speed automatic transmission. The closed-loop catalytic converter was an option from series launch, becoming standard the following year. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) was also initially an optional extra which became standard in February 1988. The front passenger airbag became available in September 1988, and has been a standard equipment feature of the E-Class since 1994.
The second restyling came in 1993. Its most distinctive feature was the so-called integrated radiator set into the engine hood. This would ultimately find its way into the other model series, a feature which meant that the Mercedes star now found its place on the engine hood. In addition, protective strips in the same color as the car reached to the wheel arches at the rear. Slight modifications to the rear end and trunk lid also helped give the sedan a new and fresh appearance – all of which boosted the car’s appeal to customers.
Also in 1993, Mercedes-Benz introduced a change in nomenclature resulting in a restructuring of the passenger car series: The Mercedes mid-series became the “E-Class”.
The W 124 continued to be built until June 1995, and in the eleven years of its market presence it became the brand’s most successful, most diverse and most innovative model series – all characteristics retained by the E-Class even today.
Photos: (Click to Enlarge)
Copyright © 2009, Daimler AG
Source: eMercedesBenz Feature:* The Mercedes-Benz "Mid-Series" | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog
