All Types of Mercedes
Although many automakers may spread their operations too thin and wither away by producing too many different models, Mercedes-Benz, in its 125-year history, has never come close to over-extending itself. Yet in 2011, it produces 14 types of passenger cars and is also one of the largest makers of trucks and buses worldwide. The key to Mercedes-Benz's success is its production of more than two dozen models featuring experimental and ultimately successful technology.
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Classes
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Most of the 2011 crop of Mercedes-Benz models trace their lineage to the early postwar period. The venerable C-, CL- and CLS-Class sedans and coupes since the 1990s have made room for the A-Class hatchback, G-Class cross-country, GL-class off-road and the M-Class sport utility vehicle. Roadsters and high-performance coupes like the SL- and SLK-Class, the SLS AMG and McLarens continue to strengthen the automaker's street-racing cred. Although virtually unknown in the United States, Mercedes-Benz has an even larger presence in Asia and the Middle East with a wide range of trucks from the Atego with a rating up to 16 tons to the heavy-duty articulated Actros rig with a commercial rating of up to 250 tons.
Postwar Era
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The contemporary Mercedes-Benz automobile descended from the Ponton body-style models produced between 1953 and 1962. Mercedes produced the Pontons as four-cylinder sedans and roadsters, and six-cylinder sedans and cabriolets. There were gasoline- and diesel-powered models. Diesels were the powerplants of choice in Europe, but failed to take hold in North America. By 1968, Mercedes introduced its W114 and W115 models in an attempt to produce a compact version of the luxury model. Mercedes identified these coupes and sedans as the 230, 250 and 280 for six-cylinder models and the 200, 220, 230 and 240 for six-cylinder versions. Production continued through 1976. The coupes are highly desirable today as collector cars.
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Luxury
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The S-Class luxury Mercedes-Benz models began production in 1954, although the "S" badging began in 1972. The S-Class remained in production as of 2011. Mercedes uses the S-Class to implement most of its technological innovations, especially to introduce safety and drivetrain features. For example, early 1990s 600SEL models were the first to feature a self-leveling suspension system and skid control as standard equipment. All S-Class models received "Brake Assist" emergency brake equipment in 1997, which is standard on most automobiles in 2011. Through the decades, the S-Class featured V-6 and V-8 gasoline, and V-12 diesel powerplants.
Racing Pedigree
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Mercedes-Benz further cemented its racing bona fides in 1996 with the debut of the compact SLK class roadster that featured a retractable top and a base 185-horsepower supercharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. An optional engine was the 350-horsepower 3.2-liter supercharged V-6. The AMG series Mercedes could be equipped with a 525-horsepower 7.3-liter V-12. The SLR McLaren racecars featured carbon-fiber technology as weight-saving measures combined with lethal power, such as the SLR 722 equipped with a Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharged 478-horsepower V-8.
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