1 Feb 1968
MERCEDES-BENZ has been offering a mid-sized sedan model since the immediate Post War years.
Its 170 series was the first, launched in 1947 and continued on with the ‘Ponton’ 180 and 190 editions from 1953, as well as 1961’s be-finned W110 series.
But it wasn’t until the W114/W115 ‘Compact’ models arrived in the late 1960s that the model that eventually became the ‘E-class’ began its upward ascension in Australia.
This rear-wheel drive model introduced a two-door pillarless coupe as well as a long-wheelbase four-door sedan. It featured a new rear suspension system and a centre console – a first for a Mercedes sedan.
The W114 referred to the in-line six-cylinder models.
For Australia this included the ’68-’73 230 sedan, ’68-’72 250 sedan, ’69-’72 250C and 250CE (E for injection) coupe and ’72/3 280C and 280CE coupes and 280E sedan in the first series of cars.
The facelifted Series II models from November ’73-’76 included the 88kW/178N 230.6 sedan, ’96kW/216Nm 2.8-litre 250 sedan and 250C coupe, 118kW/226Nm 280 sedan and 136kW/238Nm 2.8-Litre 280E sedan. The latter cars are most easily identifiable by their fluted tail-lights.
Meanwhile Australians saw the W115 four-cylinder chassis models in the ’68-’73 220, 220D diesel, 230, and ’73-’76 81kW/186Nm 230.448kW/137Nm and 240D diesel guises.
