At its launch in January 1976, the Mercedes-Benz 123 model series offered a persuasive combination of elegance and multiple technical innovations. The saloon was the first model to become available. The range was expanded a year later by the coupe and estate model.

Over the course of the next 10 years, almost 2.7 million vehicles were built, among them also long-wheelbase saloons and chassis for special bodies. The era of the 123 model series marks a particularly successful chapter in the story of the E-Class, as the intermediate model from Mercedes-Benz was called from 1993 onwards. The new E-Class of 2016 continues this success story.

The new intermediate-class saloon was presented by Mercedes-Benz to the media at the Paul Ricard Circuit in southern France in 1976. The response from the media was consistently positive and their verdict was confirmed by the customers: the first year’s production sold out completely shortly after the launch of the W 123.

The design of the 123 model series points to the future. The W 123 was also impressive for its high standard of workmanship, functionality and wide range of engines.

One of the priorities during the development of the 123 series was to improve safety. The engineering designers were already, for instance, thinking about the integration of airbags, which then became an optional extra for the 123 model series from 1982 on. Passive safety was enhanced by the combination of an even more robust passenger cell and large crumple zones.

From 1978 on Mercedes-Benz would go on to undertake a thorough revision of the engine range in its intermediate class.

At its premiere in 1976 the 123 model series was offered as a saloon, and then six months later in chassis form for superstructures added by external suppliers. However, as quickly as the following year, Mercedes-Benz went on to introduce the coupe and the estate.

Mercedes-Benz began at a very early stage to investigate the use of alternative drive systems in the 123 model series. In 1983, a 280 TE was fitted with a hydrogen. And as far back as 1981 Mercedes-Benz had presented a 200 model with a bi-fuel drive system.

The 123-series saloon was built until November 1985 – the era of the no less successful 124 series had begun 10 months earlier. Production of the especially successful Estate models in the 123 series even went on until January 1986. From 1975 until 1986 almost 2.7 million vehicles were manufactured.

The 123 model series has long been recognised as a classic and remains as fascinating as it was at its launch 40 years ago.