Body 124 "Mercedes": description, aerodynamic properties

Body 124 "Mercedes" - a model of the legendary generation of German cars. In the lineup there are many engines and variations of the car. In this article, you will learn all about the W124, its history and features.

History of creation

The given car was issued about 12 years is a big enough term for serial production. Currently, no model can afford to live as long as it has held on the conveyor 124 body. His longevity "Mercedes" owes a great love of motorists.

In 1984, as part of the showroom in Seville, the German automaker introduced a new series of cars in the body of the W124. The sedan was offered on the market with 7 variants of engines, therefore each of them had its own index.

In class, the car belonged to category E. Compared with the previous one, the new 124 Mercedes body was breakthrough in terms of aerodynamics, technology and quality of the materials used. Of the distinctive features that were innovative, you can identify only one janitor on the windshield. The developers of the model explained this by the fact that they directed all their efforts to create better aerodynamics.

For 1984, the car was really high-tech. "Mercedes" managed to combine powerful engines with a small expense of 100 kilometers. Heated washers, janitors and so on - all these little things allowed to call the car the most technologically advanced in the company's model range at the time of release.

A bit later, the body wagon appeared - in 1985 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A year later the company presented the version of the coupe.

New modifications

Until 1987, the model range consisted of the following modifications: 200, E230, E260, E300, D200, D250, D300. The letter denoted the type of engine: gasoline or diesel, and the number - the volume of the engine. For example, the E230 is a gasoline 2.3-liter unit.

In 1988 the company introduced the 124 Mercedes body in new versions: D300 Turbo and 4Matic. The entire Frankfurt Motor Show was impressed by the power and speed of the new car. Externally, the car almost did not differ from the previous modifications. Only the most attentive could notice the small air intakes on the front wings.

The following year, the Germans introduced the 250D Turbo, which replaced the "Mercedes" 230 in the 124th body. The lineup of station wagons also received new units.

Coup series

Significant year for the car was 1989-th. The company Mercedes decided to completely modernize the model. Changes affected both the appearance and the technical part of the sedan. The car became more sporty, taking over the appearance of the coupe version. New moldings and pads gave a more aggressive appearance to a quiet sedan. It is in this version at the moment you can buy the majority of cars in this body in the secondary market. The salon has also undergone global changes: the design of panels, seat cover and the layout of the instrument panel.

Podkapotnoe space must match sporty appearance, so the Mercedes decided to add a sports package in the lineup of sedan trim levels. The suspension has become more rigid, the car's landing is low, and low-profile tires also came in the kit . In the interior, many elements were redone to a sporty style: a leather steering wheel, lining, a gearbox knob.

Following the update followed the revolutionary engine M104 with a capacity of 220 horsepower. This unit was installed on all major modifications of the E series.

Mercedes E 500 (body 124)

In 1990, Mercedes again exploded the car industry with the advent of a new E-Class variation. Under the hood of the new model was a V8 with a volume of 5 liters and a capacity of 329 horsepower. For its time, the car was extremely fast: in just 6 seconds the sedan reached 100 km / h. The maximum speed mark was 250 km / h.

The car was designed and released in tandem with Porsche, so it had such sporting tendencies. On the shoulders of the company "Mercedes" was the responsibility of assembling cars and painting. Already in the "Porsche" specialists carried out a fine tuning of the sedan and tested it on specially assigned sections of the track.

Cabriolet

The body of the 124 Mercedes did not stand still. In 1991, a new model was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. For many, it was a surprise, because the body turned into a full-fledged cabriolet. After the release of the Mercedes W124 in the form of a cabriolet, the German company interrupted the 20-year break without cars with an open top in its model range.

1992 brought another series of changes in the model series. First, the line of gasoline engines was completely revised. Secondly, in honor of the release of the 2 millionth Mercedes W124 the creators decided to renew the salon and technical equipment.

Change of designation

In 1994, the W124 was renamed the E-Class. In addition to changing the classification, the model received small updates in terms of appearance. Instead of consoles D and Dt for diesel and turbodiesel, respectively, "Mercedes" took the prefix Turbo and Turbodiesel.

End of an era

In 1995, the car was gradually replaced with a new body W210. Anyone who follows and studies the history of the world automotive industry, can agree that this machine is a whole era. "Mercedes-Benz" (124 body) made a real revolution in the automotive world. If you look at the long road, you can see that the body of the W124 became the basis for many cars of this brand. Also on this platform were created several models of Ssang-Yong. 2.5 million cars sold for 10 years of production.

Unfortunately, this car was not delivered to Russia by official dealers. But it can be found in the secondary market. Many car owners still love and respect this sedan, so finding the body of the 124 "Mercedes" in good condition is quite simple. Another question is whether the owners will want to part with their pet. After all, the Mercedes W124 is a story and a classic. The corporate style, set in the late 90's, can be traced in the new models of the German brand.

Test drive and car review

If you look at the car from the outside, it's hard to say about its outstanding aerodynamic performance. Despite the angular and direct forms, this sedan has become the most streamlined among all competitors.

During its release, the car has undergone restyling more than once, but the recognizable features remained the same. Strict optics design, exceptionally straight lines and a dark color palette are all signs of an adult and a representative car.

Thanks to its charisma, the car was very popular among celebrities. W124 often flashed in television programs, serials and even some feature films.

In Russia, this car also received a lot of fame, but a little in another field. In the 90s, the Mercedes model in the body of 124 was extremely popular in gangster circles.

The car interior is made in the best traditions of the German car industry. Here, black leather upholstery seats, wooden inserts on the instrument panel, doors and center console. The version of the E500 sedan became a real cult.

On the road the car behaves quite cheerfully and briskly. Rear drive allows fans to skate fans, and good aerodynamic performance guarantees a good acceleration to hundreds - 6.2 seconds. Of course, by modern standards, the "old man" can not stand any competition. However, at one time the Mercedes (124 bodies), the price for which did not exceed a million, was the fastest and most powerful in its class. Buy this car now in good condition is quite difficult. Prices for W124 can start from 350-400 thousand rubles.