While the turbo-diesel helped improve the brand's overall fuel economy rating for its vehicle fleet, the W116 was also the first Mercedes-Benz to be officially called an S-Class — this was a ...

The original W116 sold for $30,611 in 1980 ... In 1981, the turbo-diesel Mercedes was rated at 23 mpg, which wasn't bad for a huge luxury barge of the time. This admirable fuel economy was ...