In Russia of the early 1990s, one of the symbols of luxury and sky-high status became the German «luxury»-class cars, Mercedes-Benz 600 (W140), also known as the «six-hundred», and BMW-750, known as the «boomer». The «six-hundred» became the car of choice for the highest echelons of power and major businessmen. The «boomer», in turn, became the luxury car for people of «free professions» — mostly gangsters. «Rolls-Royces», «Aston Martins» and other «Jaguars» and «Porsches» were one-off cars in Russia at the time and made no claim to status.
S-Klasse (Sonderklasse — «special class») appeared in 1972. Today the «S» series consists of 7 generations:
- W116, introduced in 1972;
- W126, introduced in 1979;
- W140, introduced in 1991;
- W220, introduced in 1998;
- W221, introduced in 2005;
- W222, introduced in 2013;
- W223, introduced in 2020.
S-Class cars are produced in two body variants: standard and long-wheelbase (with an «L» suffix, i.e. Mercedes-Benz 600L) with V6, V8, and V12 engines.
The number 600 stands for a 6-liter engine displacement. And here's the catch: a less prestigious Mercedes body could have a six-liter engine and vice versa. The 140 series had inline-six engines (300SE/SEL models) and V8s (400SE/SEL and 500SE/500SEL), as well as Mercedes' first-ever V12 engine (the very 600SE and 600SEL models).
The Mercedes-Benz 600 stood out for its solidity and power, which made it the perfect choice for those who wanted to stand out amid fierce competition and a dangerous environment.
The W140's design, like that of the previous W126 and the following W220, was created by Bruno Sacco, one of the greatest designers in automotive history.
Technical features
The Mercedes-Benz 600 in the Pullman or limousine configuration is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering. Its 6.3-liter V8 engine produced up to 250 horsepower, an incredible figure for a sedan at the time. The car was equipped with numerous innovative safety and comfort systems, including hydraulic doors and window lifts, which was rare in the early 1990s.
The interior was finished to the highest standard, using expensive materials such as leather and wood. The spacious cabin, especially in the long-wheelbase version, made rides as comfortable as possible. Such cars were built almost entirely by hand, which added to their exclusivity.
Conclusion
In 1993, the Mercedes-Benz 600 became a symbol of a new era in Russia — a time when luxury and power became available to those who managed to adapt to the chaotic conditions of post-Soviet reality. For many, it was not just a car but a reflection of their status, influence, and success in the new capitalist world. Whether businessman, politician, or crime boss, owning the «six-hundred» meant you had reached the top — a place many could only dream of climbing to.