The Mercedes-Benz W116 S-Class first offered Bosch’s electronic multi-channel ABS in 1978. It was introduced as an optional system late in the W116’s production run.
Mercedes-Benz and Bosch presented the digital anti-lock braking system in August 1978, and it became available on the W116 S-Class toward the end of that year. By monitoring wheel-speed changes and modulating hydraulic brake pressure, the system helped prevent wheel lock-up while preserving steering control during emergency braking.
The breakthrough followed years of development. Mercedes-Benz had explored anti-lock technology since the 1950s, demonstrated an earlier Mercedes-Benz/Teldix system in 1970, and then worked with Bosch on a more practical digital design. The 1978 system was a major step toward the electronic safety and driver-assistance features that later became widespread.
The W116 is often remembered for several unrelated innovations, including its safety-focused body design and the North American 300 SD turbo-diesel. The later W126 succeeded it in 1979, but the W126 was not the generation that introduced this ABS option. Also, ABS was initially optional, not standard equipment.