Mercedes-Benz 600

{{Short description|Range of German cars (1963–1981)}} {{about|the Mercedes 600 (type W100) "Grosser Mercedes"|other Mercedes-Benzes with 600-range model codes|Mercedes-Benz 600 (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox automobile | image = Mercedes-Benz 600 vl silver TCE.jpg | name = Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) | manufacturer = Daimler-Benz | assembly = West Germany: Stuttgart | class = {{hlist| Ultra-luxury car | Limousine }} | production = {{ubl|1963–1981|2,677 built<ref>{{Deutsche Autos|page=54|volume=4}}</ref>|SWB: 2,190|LWB: 428|Landaulet: 59}} | body_style = {{ubl|4-door Limousine (SWB)|4-door Pullman Limousine |6-door Pullman Limousine |Landaulet}} | engine = 6.3 L ''M100'' V8 | transmission = 4-speed automatic | layout = FR layout | aka = {{langx| de| Grosser Mercedes}} | predecessor = {{ubl|Mercedes-Benz 770}} | successor = Maybach 57 and 62 | wheelbase = '''SWB:''' {{convert|3200|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} '''LWB:''' {{convert|3900|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | length = '''SWB:''' {{convert|5540|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} '''LWB:''' {{convert|6240|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | width = {{convert|1950|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | height = '''SWB:''' {{convert|1500|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} '''LWB:''' {{convert|1510|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | weight = {{convert|2990|-|3280|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | designer = {{ubl|Friedrich Geiger|Paul Bracq}} }}

The '''Mercedes-Benz 600''' ('''W100''') is a single-generation line of full-size ultra-luxury limousines and Pullman limousines, made by Daimler-Benz from 1963 through 1981. Nicknamed ''Grosser (Grand/Large) Mercedes'',<ref>meaning both the "Grand Mercedes", as well as "the big one", given that its ''"short"'' wheelbase version was some {{convert|5.5|m|ft+in|0}}, or over half a metre (some two feet) longer than a "regular" Mercedes S-model of 1963</ref> it succeeded the Type 300d ''"Adenauer"'' as the company's flagship model. It was positioned well above the subsequent 300-series in price, amenities, and status. At its launch in 1963, the Mercedes 600 was the most expensive car in the world. Its few lesser adversaries included British and American marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac and Lincoln's top model lines. Despite its age, the Mercedes 600 remains costly to own and maintain. It is widely regarded by automotive historians and enthusiasts as the greatest luxury automobile ever produced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luchian |first=Elena |date=2015-10-09 |title=Why the Mercedes-Benz 600 is the best Mercedes in history |url=https://mercedesblog.com/why-the-mercedes-benz-600-is-the-best-mercedes-in-history/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=MercedesBlog}}</ref>

The Mercedes-Benz 600 models are well known for their ownership among celebrities, political leaders and royalty throughout the late 20th century. The 600 was notable for its advanced hydraulic systems. Ownership of a Mercedes-Benz 600 remains costly due to the vehicle's complexity and the high expense of parts and maintenance. Well-preserved examples and historically significant models can command prices of up to $3.5 million reflecting their rarity and prestige.

Generally, the short-wheelbase (SWB) models were designed to be owner-driven, whereas the long-wheelbase (LWB) and limousine models, often incorporating a central divider with power window, were intended for chauffeur operation.

"Living legend: the Mercedes-Benz 600 is nothing but grand. With its groundbreaking engineering, this iconic vehicle has been defining automotive luxury since its first appearance in 1963." - Mercedes Benz<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of engineering: the Grand Mercedes 600 |url=https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/vehicles/mercedes-benz-classic/grandmercedes/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.mercedes-benz.com |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==

The 600 replaced the Mercedes-Benz W189 300d limousine, the final version of the W186 and W189 model 300-series company flagship produced between the early 1950s and early 1960s. The elder W186 received the nickname ''Adenauer'' after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of West Germany, who employed several of these automobiles during his tenure in office.

Production began in 1964 and continued through to 1981.<ref name=Production>{{cite web |url=http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1408430-1-1409752-1-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html |title=Mercedes-Benz 600 'Super Mercedes' (W 100), 1964 up to 1981 |website=media.daimler.com |access-date=30 December 2014}}</ref> During this time, production totalled 2,677 units, comprising 2,190 Saloons, 304 Pullmans, 124 6-door Pullmans and 59 Landaulets.<ref name=Production/>

The 600 succeeded the 1961 Mercedes-Benz W112 in using a pneumatic self-levelling suspension,<ref name="Koehling">{{cite book|last=Koehling|first=Bernd|title=Mercedes-Benz, The 1960s, 300SE and SEC W112 with buyer's guide and chassis number, data card explanation: 300SE, SE lang, Cabriolet and Coupe|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Benz-Fintail-buyers-chassis-explanation-ebook/dp/B01N0MEPZW|date = 1 December 2016|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="CarDriver1965">{{cite web|url=http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/vintage-reviews/six-luxury-cars-a-car-and-driver-test-from-1965-with-some-cc-pictures|title=Six Luxury Cars|publisher=Car and Driver Magazine|page=31|date = July 1965|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> an enhancement of the Mercedes-Benz 300d ''Adenauer's'' dashboard activated mechanical torsion bar based system. A version is incorporated in Mercedes' current Active Body Control.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

With its demise in 1981, the 600 marked the last ultra-luxury model that the brand produced in a line since the model 60 hp Simplex from 1903,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/classic/history/mercedes-benz-s-class/|title=Mercedes-Benz S-Class.|date=2014-12-17|work=mercedes-benz.com|access-date=2017-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> albeit not continuously. The company would return to this segment some 20 years later with the Maybach 57/62, but these extremely expensive cars failed to sell in expected and necessary numbers, as the 600 did too. As a result, Mercedes-Benz ended production of the Maybach brand in 2012. {{As of|2019}}, the Mercedes flagship is the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which does not use its own platform and therefore represents a new approach: covering the luxury segment more cost-effectively. However, it is seen as a spiritual successor, since it is the first luxury Mercedes-Benz production model since the 600 to feature some bespoke design touches not available on the standard S-Class.

== Models ==

[[File:ASC_Leiden_-_F._van_der_Kraaij_Collection_-_08_-_062_-_State_visit_of_President_and_Mrs._Carter_-_near_Catholic_Hospital,_Tubman_boulevard,_corner_of_Old_Road,_Monrovia,_Liberia,_1978.tif|thumb|Mercedes-Benz 600 "Pullman" limousine, carrying US President Jimmy Carter in Liberia, 1978]]

The 600 came in two wheelbase lengths, producing three main variants: * A short wheelbase 4-door saloon, available with a power divider window separating the front seats from the rear bench seat, although most were built without this feature. * A long wheelbase 4-door "Pullman" limousine (with two additional rear-facing seats separated from the driver compartment by a power divider window, of which 304 were built) * A long wheelbase 6-door Pullman limousine (with power divider and two forward-facing jump-seats at the middle two doors and a rear bench-seat).

A number of the limousines were converted into landaulets, with a retractable top over part or all of the rear passenger compartment. The more common short roof version folds down like a cabriolet over just the last row of seats, leaving the door frames in place and the area forward of it covered with the metal roof, while the long roof folds back from the cabin divider (and leaves all door frames in place). Known as the "Presidential roof", it was especially rare with 6-door landaulets. In all, 59 landaulets were produced, 23 four-door models of unknown breakdown, 17 6-door short roofs, and 9 six-door long roofs.

Landaulets like these were also notably used by the German government, as during the 1965 state visit of Queen Elizabeth II. The Vatican, in addition to an elongated Mercedes 300d 4-door landaulet, used for the Pope a specially designed Mercedes 600 4-door landaulet, which now resides at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Production of the landaulet versions of the 600 ended in 1980. A six-door long roof landaulet used by former Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito sold in 2017 in England for £2.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomhartleyjnr.com/used/1971/classic/mercedes/1971-classic-mercedes-moira-swadlincote-for-sale-6oo |title=Stock |publisher=Tom Hartley Jnr |access-date=2018-09-23}}</ref>

Mercedes also made one special short-wheelbase, 2-door 600 coupé, in 1965, with the standard wheelbase shortened 22 cm (8.6 inches) between the axles, to {{convert|298|cm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}}.<ref>[https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/de/instance/ko/600-Coup.xhtml?oid=5050 ''600 Coupé''], Mercedes-Benz Archives</ref> A single example of a short-wheelbase 4-door landaulet, combining the handling of a short-wheelbase with the qualities of a landaulet, was built by Mercedes in 1967 for former racing driver Philipp Constantin von Berckheim.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

== Mechanical ==

The 600's great size, weight, and numerous hydraulically driven amenities required more power than Mercedes' largest engine at that time, the 3-litre 6-cylinder M189, could produce. A new V8 with more than twice the capacity was developed, the {{cvt|6.3|l|cuin|1}} M100. It featured a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) per cylinder bank and a Bosch-made intermittent 8-point mechanical fuel injection, and developed {{Convert|250|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}.<ref>Werner Oswald (ed.): ''Deutsche Autos 1945-1975'', 4th edition, Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1979, {{ISBN|978-3613041028}}, p. 251</ref>

Originally, chief engineer Fritz Nallinger overseeing the design envisioned two models: base model was to be ''500'', referring to the original 5-litre capacity of the V8 engine; and top model ''750'' was to feature a 7.5-litre V12, the design of which was assigned to engine designer Adolf Wente. The engine, codenamed M101, was to share the 90-degree bank angle with the V8 engine, with every cylinder bank having a single chain-driven overhead camshaft, opening in-line valves, and a Bosch fuel injection pump located in the central vee, with twin ignition distributors, the power was intended to be around 380-400 bhp. However, as the V8 engine was eventually enlarged to 6.3 litres, the V12 was rendered redundant and never entered production.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ludvigsen |first=Karl |title=The V12 Engine: The Untold Inside Story of the Technology, Evolution, Performance, and Impact of All V12-Engined Cars |publisher=Haynes Publishing UK |year=2005 |isbn=9781844250042 |pages=326-328 |language=en}}</ref>

The 600 used what Mercedes referred to as the comfort hydraulic system ({{langx| de| Komfort-Hydraulik-System}}),<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=jimfoz |date=2019-08-11 |title=The Mercedes 600 'Grosser' |url=https://engineeringsocialgeek.wordpress.com/2019/08/11/the-mercedes-600-grosser/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Engineering and Social Time Capsule |language=en}}</ref> which was made specifically for the 600 in conjunction with Bosch. The system was extremely complex, utilizing pressurized hydraulic fluid to control the cars windows, seats, optional sunroof, boot lid, ventilator flap, and air conditioning. On early models, this system was also able to pull the doors in if they weren't fully latched, acting as an early form of self closing doors.

The closed loop hydraulic system was powered by an engine driven pump that pressurized the fluid to around {{convert|150|bar|psi|0|adj=on}}. When a switch for a hydraulically controlled amenity was pressed, it would activate a control valve that would allow the fluid to transfer energy to the pistons that powered said amenity. There was a nitrogen-filled accumulator present to maintain some hydraulic pressure when the car was off. The hydraulics gave the amenities of the 600 unusually quick and quiet operations compared to the more traditional vacuum and electrical setups of other luxury cars. The hydraulics require attentive maintenance, as a leak in any of the lines could lead to amenities not working as they should and eventually a complete failure of the system. Mercedes offered an optional 'hydraulic repair kit' with special tools that owners could use in the event of a minor hydraulic failure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Werminghausen |first=Martin |date=2019 |title=Mercedes 600 Comfort Hydraulics: A report about the Mercedes 600 Comfort Hydraulic System |url=https://600airsuspension.com/resources/190830-Article-Mercedes-600-Comfort-Hydraulics.pdf |website=600airsuspension.com}}</ref>

The suspension of the 600 was not fully hydraulically controlled, as Citroën owned a patent for a hydropneumatic suspension system at the time. Instead, the 600 used a load leveling air suspension system similar to the Mercedes-Benz W112. Like the Komfort Hydraulik System, the air suspension was pressurized using an engine driven pump. The suspension had multiple settings that the driver could control from a switch on the steering column. These include 'N-mode' (for normal driving), 'H-mode' (increases ride height by {{Convert|50|mm|in|abbr=unit}}) and 'S-mode' (disables air suspension for servicing). Unlike the other Mercedes models with this system, the 600 also uses the air pressure pump to control brake boosting. In the event of an air system failure, the brakes are designed to take priority over the air suspension and can even pull from the suspensions air supply in low pressure situations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-17 |title=Basics about Mercedes Air Suspension |url=https://600airsuspensionshop.com/blogs/articles/basics-about-mercedes-air-suspension |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=600 Air Suspension Shop}}</ref> The adjustable air suspension delivered excellent ride quality and sure handling over any road surface.<ref>{{cite web |last=Werminghausen |first=Martin |date=11 February 2014 |title=Mercedes Air Suspension |url=http://600airsuspension.com/resources/article-on-mercedes-air-suspension-by-martin-werminghausen.pdf |access-date=18 June 2016 |website=Mercedes Air Suspension Solutions}}</ref> It even beat lap times of the Mercedes-Benz 230SL.<ref name=":1" />

== Notable owners ==

Famous owners of the Mercedes-Benz 600 have included the following: {{too many examples|list|date=September 2024}}

=== Celebrities and tycoons ===

{{div col| colwidth = 20em}} * Aristotle Onassis<ref>{{cite web |title=Onassis' Mercedes to Be Auctioned Off Along With Dreams of Better Times {{!}} GreekReporter.com |url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/10/17/onassis-mercedes-to-be-auctioned-off-along-with-dreams-of-better-times/ |website=greece.greekreporter.com |date=17 October 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> * Bob Jane * Bobby Womack asserts that Janis Joplin was inspired to write her song "Mercedes Benz" after riding with him in his new 600<ref>See {{cite book |url=http://panachereport.com/channels/old_school_update/BobbyJanis.htm |author-link1=Bobby Womack |last1=Womack |first1=Bobby |last2=Ashton |first2=Robert |title=Midnight Mover: Autobiography |publisher=John Blake Publishing |year=2006 |quote=We rode a couple of blocks while she fixed a tune in her head and then started singing. A line just spilled out. 'Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz. 'My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.' |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170847/http://panachereport.com/channels/old_school_update/BobbyJanis.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> * Coco Chanel * David Bowie<ref>{{cite web |title=David Bowie remembers Berlin: "I can't express the feeling of freedom I felt there" - Page 3 of 12 - Uncut |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/david-bowie-remembers-berlin-cant-express-feeling-freedom-felt-98780/3 |website=Uncut |access-date=25 September 2018 |date=6 January 2017}}</ref> * Eric Clapton * Elizabeth Taylor * Elvis Presley,<ref>{{cite web|last=Gerard |first=Jasper |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/8187007/Classic-Mercedes-600-as-owned-by-Elvis-Presley.html |title=Classic Mercedes 600 - as owned by Elvis Presley |publisher=Telegraph |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2018-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1052480_elvis-presleys-1970-mercedes-benz-600-sells-for-187390|title = Elvis Presley's 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Sells for $187,390| date=13 December 2010 }}</ref> who had three 1969 models, including a 6 door Pullman * Francis Ford Coppola had a Pullman, among his unique and eclectic collection of classic automobiles * Frank Packer * Florian Schneider<ref>{{cite book |last1=Esch |first1=Rudi |title=Electri_City: The Düsseldorf School of Electronic Music |date=2016 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9781783237760 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GUn_DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT83 |access-date=25 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> * George Harrison<ref name="Lennon Auction" /> * Herbert von Karajan<ref name="welt.de"/> * Hugh Hefner<ref>{{cite web |title=Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's car collection: This Mercedes-Benz was his prized possession |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/gallery/playboy-founder-hugh-hefners-car-collection-this-mercedes-benz-was-his-priced-possession/photos/874032/2/ |website=The Financial Express |access-date=21 January 2020 |date=28 September 2017}}</ref> * Jerry Lewis Owned a Tobacco Brown SWB version * John Lennon<ref name="Lennon Auction">{{cite web|title=Lennon Auction Runs Out of Gas|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=81344&page=1|website=ABC News|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en|date=6 January 2006}}</ref> * Jay Kay, who owned Coco Chanel's car <ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/jay_kays_multi_million_pound_car_collection.html |title=Jay Kay's multi-million pound car collection |date=2 January 2009 |access-date=9 July 2012 |journal=Autotrader |quote=Jay's Merc 600 boasts a history as impressive as the car's looks – it was previously owned by none other than Coco Chanel |first=Vijay |last=Pattni |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502123505/http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/jay_kays_multi_million_pound_car_collection.html |archive-date=2 May 2012}}</ref> * Jack Nicholson<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Nicholson's Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosse Stands In |url=https://petrolicious.com/articles/jack-nicholson-s-mercedes-benz-600-Grosse-stands-in |website=Petrolicious |access-date=30 June 2018 |language=en |date=3 February 2015}}</ref> * Jay Leno, who had his 600 (a 1972 SWB) fitted with a supercharger by Karl Middelhauve, making it the only 600 Kompressor in existence * Jeremy Clarkson, whose car was originally supplied to an Egyptian ambassador * Johannes, 11th Prince of Thurn and Taxis<ref name="welt.de"/> * Karen Carpenter * Mireille Mathieu<ref name="welt.de"/> * Peter Anderson (cinematographer) This 600 was acquired by this Honorary Oscar recipient, from its previous owner, the Indian Ambassador to Germany * Pete Townshend owns a six-door version<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=Michael |title=What you want is in the limo : on the road with Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, and the Who in 1973, the year the sixties died and the modern rock star was born |date=23 July 2013 |isbn=978-0812992885 |page=241|publisher=Random House Publishing }}</ref> * Ringo Starr<ref>{{cite web |title=Derek's car is a real Starr! |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6215807.dereks-car-real-starr/ |website=Lancashire Telegraph |date=30 November 1995 |access-date=21 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref> * Ronnie Wood * Rowan Atkinson * Roy Orbison<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/ex-roy-orbison-mercedes-benz-600-hits-the-auction-block-with-vintage-vip-status-155424.html | title=Ex-Roy Orbison Mercedes-Benz 600 Hits the Auction Block with Vintage VIP Status | date=2 February 2021 }}</ref> * Robert Wood Johnson III<ref>{{cite book |last1=Oppenheimer |first1=Jerry |title=Crazy Rich: Power, Scandal, and Tragedy Inside the Johnson & Johnson Dynasty |date=2013 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=9781250010933 |page=[https://archive.org/details/crazyrichpowersc0000oppe/page/230 230] |url=https://archive.org/details/crazyrichpowersc0000oppe |url-access=registration |quote=Mercedes-Benz 600. |access-date=26 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> * Udo Jürgens<ref name="welt.de"/> </div>

=== Politicians and royalty === {{div col| colwidth = 20em}} * Anastasio Somoza Debayle, President of Nicaragua bought a SWB for his wife Hope Portocarrero from the first production run{{what|reason=Of what?|date=September 2024}} * Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand<ref>{{cite web|title=รถยนต์พระที่นั่งในพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช|url=http://praew.com/luxury/royal-update/60764.html|website=Praew (แพรว) – All Luxe You Can Reach|access-date=27 April 2018|date=20 October 2016}}</ref> * B. J. Habibie, 3rd President of Indonesia<ref>{{cite web |title=4 Koleksi Mobil BJ Habibie, Langka dan Mewah|url=https://moladin.com/blog/koleksi-mobil-bj-habibie/ |website=moladin.com |access-date=11 September 2023 |language=id |date=November 5, 2020}}</ref> * Chen Yi, former Chinese Foreign Minister<ref name="xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com">{{Cite news |title=二十世纪豪车极品-奔驰600系列 |author=诗香雅韵 |url=http://xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com/viewdiary.16839615.html |date=29 July 2007}}</ref> * Daniel Moi<ref>{{cite web|last1=Syombua|first1=Pauline|title=Checkout the classic Ksh 19.4 million bulletproof ride the former president Moi used to roll around in - Ghafla!|url=http://www.ghafla.com/checkout-classic-ksh-19-4-million-bulletproof-ride-former-president-moi-used-roll-around/|website=www.ghafla.com|date=7 March 2017|access-date=27 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=DTIC ADA337717: Sub-Saharan Africa Report |year=1985 |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |page=[https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA337717/page/n40 33] |url=https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA337717 |access-date=26 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> * Deng Xiaoping<ref name="xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com"/> * Deng Yingchao, wife of Zhou Enlai, the first Chinese Prime Minister<ref name="xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com"/> * Enver Hoxha<ref>{{cite web |title=Veturat me të cilat udhëtonte Enver Hoxha, historia e modelit Mercedes 600 |url=https://www.koha.net/auto/120486/veturat-me-te-cilat-udhetonte-enver-hoxha-historia-e-modelit-mercedes-600/ |website=KOHA.net |access-date=24 October 2018 |language=sq-AL |date=2 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Matt |title=Why did so many evil men love the Mercedes 600? |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/mercedes-600-Grosse-w100-famous-owners |access-date=24 October 2018}}</ref> * François "Papa Doc" Duvalier<ref>Top Gear: Grosse vs. Corniche old car challenge, Top Gear, season 11 episode 5, BBC August 2009</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Death and Legacy of Papa Doc Duvalier |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876967-2,00.html |magazine=Time |access-date=24 August 2018 |date=17 January 2011}}</ref> * Francois Tombalbaye<ref>{{cite news |title=Georges Pompidou And Francois Tombalbaye |url=https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/president-georges-pompidou-of-france-and-president-francois-news-photo/575433199#/president-georges-pompidou-of-france-and-president-francois-of-chad-picture-id575433199 |access-date=24 August 2018 |work=Getty Images}}</ref> * Ferdinand Marcos, who owned four, including a landaulet, a 1981 bulletproof model and a six-door version<ref>{{cite news |title=Three Bid on Marcos Mercedes |url=https://www.apnews.com/141585346f88dbcbaa02b11854ea1499 |access-date=27 August 2018 |work=Associated Press |date=4 December 1986}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classiccars-forsale.com/mercedes-benz-600-pullman-1967-2/ |title=Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman 1967 |website=Classic Cars For Sale |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk" /> * F. W. de Klerk<ref name="ZA Car Mag">{{cite book |title=Classic & Performance Car Africa October/November 2014 |last=Issuu |date=8 December 2014 |page=35 |url=https://issuu.com/classiccarafrica/docs/001_small_mag_oct_nov |language=en}}</ref><ref>Top Gear: Grosse vs. Corniche old car challenge, Top Gear, season 11 episode 5, BBC August 2009</ref> [[File:Voiture Musée Habib Bourguiba.JPG|thumb|right|Habib Bourguiba's 600 Pullman]] * Habib Bourguiba, President of Tunisia<ref>{{cite web |title=Mercedes-Benz 600, la limousine officielle de plusieurs grands leaders, notamment Habib Bourguiba |url=http://www.businessnews.com.tn/mercedes-benz-600-la-limousine-officielle-de-plusieurs-grands-leaders-notamment-habib-bourguiba,521,54943,3 |website=businessnews.com.tn |access-date=27 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="welt.de">{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/motor/news/article114395595/Tradition-50-Jahre-Mercedes-Benz-600.html |title=Prunkkarosse für Präsidenten, Popstars und Päpste: Tradition: 50 Jahre Mercedes-Benz 600 - WELT |newspaper=Die Welt |publisher=Welt.de |date=2013-03-13 |access-date=2018-09-23}}</ref> * Hassan II of Morocco, King of Morocco<ref name="welt.de"/> * Hastings Kamuzu Banda{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} * Hosni Mubarak<ref>{{cite news |title=King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz (L) of Saudi Ar |url=https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/king-fahd-bin-abdul-aziz-of-saudi-arabia-and-egyptian-news-photo/107816863#king-fahd-bin-abdul-aziz-of-saudi-arabia-and-egyptian-president-hosni-picture-id107816863 |access-date=24 August 2018 |work=Getty Images}}</ref> * Idi Amin<ref name="spectator">{{cite web|title=How African leaders spend our money {{!}} The Spectator|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2005/06/how-african-leaders-spend-our-money/|website=The Spectator|access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> * Ibrahim, King of Malaysia * Jim Fouché<ref name="ZA Car Mag" /> * Josip Broz Tito, who owned four 1965 LWB 6-door Pullmans, one of which was armored, and two LWB Pullman landaulets, acquired in 1971 and 1978 respectively (both of these were of the very-rare type where the folding parade roof extends to cover 2/3rds of the vehicle top, only 9 were made with such a roof arrangement and 6 doors, and Tito was the only statesman in the world at the time who had two such cars)<ref>{{cite web |title=Titov Pullman ponovo na prodaju |url=http://www.autoslavia.com/titov-pullman-ponovo-na-prodaju/ |website=Autoslavia |date=20 November 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/rare-mercedes-600-presidential-landaulet-goes-sale-derbyshire/124841 |title=Rare Mercedes 600 Presidential Landaulet goes on sale in Derbyshire |publisher=Car Dealer Magazine |date=2016-11-03 |access-date=2018-09-23}}</ref> * Jean-Bédel Bokassa<ref>{{cite web |title=Central African Republic Bangui Jean-Bedel Bokassa Coronation |url=http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Watchf-AP-I-CAF-APHSL42142-Central-African-Repu-/21e26585854a4ea4aded83fe6ab6692b/15/0 |website=AP Images |access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> * Jean-Claude Duvalier<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schultz |first1=Jonathan |title=What Becomes of the Cars of Deposed Leaders? |url=https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/19/what-becomes-of-the-cars-of-deposed-leaders/ |website=Wheels Blog |date=19 January 2011 |access-date=24 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> * John Vorster<ref name="ZA Car Mag" /> * Jomo Kenyatta<ref>{{cite news |title=Mit "Harambee" und Fliegenwedel |url=https://www.zeit.de/1967/41/mit-harambee-und-fliegenwedel/seite-2 |newspaper=Die Zeit |date=13 October 1967 |access-date=27 August 2018 |language=de}}</ref> * Khalid of Saudi Arabia{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} * Kim Il Sung<ref>{{cite web|author=Teknikens Värld |url=https://teknikensvarld.se/unik-mercedes-600-landaulet-till-salu-300289/ |title=Unik Mercedes 600 Landaulet till salu – Teknikens Värld |date=17 May 2016 |publisher=Teknikensvarld.se |access-date=2018-09-23}}</ref><ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk"/> * Kim Jong Il<ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk"/> * Kim Jong Un;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/12/20/2010122001136.html |title=Kim Jong-un 'Loves Nukes, Computer Games and Johnny Walker' |newspaper=The Chosun Ilbo |edition=English |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> the North Korean government have also owned a landaulet (both seen in the 65th anniversary parade in Pyongyang on October 10, 2010) * Leonid Brezhnev<ref name="welt.de"/><ref>{{cite web |title=State Department Cable 1978-115429 |url=https://archive.org/details/StateDeptcable1978-115429 |access-date=26 August 2018 |language=en |year=1978}}</ref> * Léopold Sédar Senghor, President of Senegal; the first Senegalese regime (1960–1980) under him had three 600s, a short wheel base, a long wheel base, and a Landaulet, later replaced by the W126-based Carat Limousine{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} * Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, who owned multiple 600 models including 3 landaulet models and 18 others for national guard<ref name="welt.de"/> * Mohammed VI of Morocco<ref>{{cite web |title=Les plus belles voitures du roi Mohammed VI |url=https://www.huffpostmaghreb.com/2016/09/21/plus-belles-voitures-mohammed-vi_n_12120330.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922140348/http://www.huffpostmaghreb.com/2016/09/21/plus-belles-voitures-mohammed-vi_n_12120330.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 22, 2016 |website=Al HuffPost Maghreb |access-date=30 June 2018 |language=fr-MG |date=21 September 2016}}</ref> * Muhammad Zia Ul Haq,<ref name=":0" /> a Pakistani four-star general who served as the President of Pakistan from 1978 until his death in 1988. Also kept the same 1970 Pullman 600 as the holder of the Prime Minister Office * Mao Zedong, Chinese revolutionary leader<ref name="xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com"/> * Marais Viljoen<ref name="ZA Car Mag" /> * Mobutu Sese Seko,<ref name="spectator" /> dictator and president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire)<ref name="xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com"/> * Nico Diederichs<ref name="ZA Car Mag" /> * Nicolae Ceaușescu<ref name="welt.de"/><ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk"/> * Norodom Sihanouk, former King of Cambodia<ref name="xiangxuanqingya.bokee.com"/> * Omar Bongo, President of Gabon.<ref>{{cite web |title=JACQUES CHIRAC IN THE IVORY COAST AND GABON |url=https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/jacques-chirac-in-the-ivory-coast-and-gabon-news-photo/607450708#-picture-id607450708 |website=Getty Images |date=17 September 2016 |access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref> * Otto Kerner Jr., Governor of Illinois from 1961 to 1968 * The Pope<ref>{{cite news |last1=Preston |first1=Benjamin |title=The Vehicular Side of the Vatican |work=The New York Times |date=22 March 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/automobiles/the-vehicular-side-of-the-vatican.html |access-date=30 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref>thumb|Papal landaulet * Park Chung Hee<ref>{{cite web |title=President Park chung-hee Memorial Foundation |url=http://www.presidentparkchunghee.org/new_html/html/eng/exhibit_3.html |website=www.presidentparkchunghee.org |access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref> * P. W. Botha<ref name="ZA Car Mag" /> * Maharaj Ji/Prem Rawat, religious leader{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} * Pablo Escobar, Colombian drug dealer, owned a LWB 4-door which was destroyed in an attack on Escobar in Medellín in 1993<ref>{{cite web|title=Queman valiosa colección de vehículos de escobar|date=18 February 1993|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-47316|access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref> * Robert Mugabe{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} * Saddam Hussein, who owned a long-roof landaulet that was recovered after the fall of Baghdad and is today owned by the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles<ref name="saddam-petersen">{{cite web |url= https://jalopnik.com/saddam-husseins-mercedes-benz-600-landaulet-is-amazing-451684879 |title=Saddam Hussein's Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet Is Amazing And Spooky |first=Zac |last=Estrada |work=Jalopnik |date=10 March 2013 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> * Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Arrivederci, Berlusconi|url=https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1995/1/arrivederci-berlusconi|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=January 1995|access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref> * Süleyman Demirel, 9th President of Turkey<ref>{{cite web|title=Bir devrin efsane arabaları yeniden ortaya çıkıyor!|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/bir-devrin-efsane-arabalari-otomobil-2460801/|website=MİLLİYET HABER - TÜRKİYE'NİN HABER SİTESİ|date=June 2017 |access-date=27 April 2018}}</ref> * The President of Bangladesh * Todor Zhivkov, former President of Bulgaria from 1956 to 1989. Used Government owned high-end Benz models from 300D Adenauer to 450 SEL 6.9 for daily routine, and for State visits- 1967 600 Pullman 6-door Landaulet. The 600 Landaulet is still in use today by Bulgarian Government for Special occasions and visits<ref>{{cite web|author=Simeon Ivanov |url=http://www.avtoklasika.com/ |title=Bulgarian Avtoklasika magazine, issue 16, November 2004 |publisher=Avtoklasika.com |access-date=2018-09-23}}</ref> * Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/pakistans-pullman-600-Grosse-car-used-former-president-pm/|title=Pakistan's only Pullman 600 Grosse - a car used by Former President Zia-ul-Haq and PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto - PakWheels Blog|date=2018-07-23|work=PakWheels Blog|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en-US}}</ref> a Pakistani politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that as the 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. He kept a 1970 Pullman 600 for Prime Minister Office use </div>

== In popular culture ==

{{in popular culture|section|reason=trivial mentions as defined by the Wikipedia Manual of Style|date=September 2024}}

In cinema, the Mercedes 600 was featured in several James Bond films, most notably as transport of the villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in ''On Her Majesty's Secret Service'' and ''Diamonds Are Forever''. In ''Octopussy'', the villain Kamal Khan is seen leaving Sotheby's London auction house in a 600 Pullman. Near the beginning of 1978 movie ''Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?'', the character played by Jacqueline Bisset is abducted from Heathrow Airport in a 600 Pullman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_1396994-Mercedes-Benz-600-Pullman-W100-1969.html|title=Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman in "Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?"}}</ref>

In a ''Top Gear'' challenge, Jeremy Clarkson compared his 1973 short-wheelbase 600 to James May's 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche. In ''Twin Peaks'', the 600 was also used as a car in the first episode.

== Technical data ==

<div style="overflow:auto"> {|class="wikitable collapsible" style="width:40em; text-align:center" |+ Technical Data Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100)<ref>{{Deutsche Autos|volume=4}}</ref> (Manufacturer's figures except where stated) |- !style="width:20%"| Mercedes-Benz !style="width:40%"| 600 (SWB){{efn| Short wheelbase}} !style="width:40%"| 600 Pullman (LWB){{efn| Long wheelbase}} |- |colspan="3" style="background:#AAF"| |- ! Production |colspan="2"| 1963–1981 |- ! Engine |colspan="2"| 6.3 L V8 · front-mounted |- ! Bore x Stroke |colspan="2"| {{convert|103|mm|in|3|abbr=on|lk=on}} x {{convert|95|mm|in|3|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Displacement |colspan="2"| {{convert|{{rounddown|103^2*95*2*pi/10^3|0}}|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on|lk=on}}{{efn|{{convert|{{round|103^2*95*2*pi/10^3|2}}|cc|cuin|2|abbr=on|lk=on}} rounded down to {{convert|{{rounddown|103^2*95*2*pi/10^3|0}}|cc|cuin|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}}} |- ! Max. Power @ rpm |colspan="2"| {{convert|250|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}{{efn| name="DIN"| DIN 70020 ({{langx |de| Deutsche Industrie-Norm 70020}})}} @ 4000 |- ! Max. Torque @ rpm |colspan="2"| {{convert|51|kpm|Nm lbft|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}{{efn| name="DIN"}} @ 2800 |- ! Compression Ratio |colspan="2"| 9.00 : 1 |- ! Fuel feed |colspan="2"| Bosch intermittent 8-point mechanical fuel injection Bosch injection pump |- ! Fuel tank capacity |colspan="2"| {{Convert|112|l|usgal impgal|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Valvetrain |colspan="2"| single overhead camshaft (SOHC) · duplex chains |- ! Cooling |colspan="2"| Water |- ! Transmission |colspan="2"| 4-speed automatic transmission K4B 050 |- ! Gear Ratios |colspan="2"| R: {{round|-228/55|3}} 1: {{round|378/95|3}} 2: {{round|63/25|3}} 3: {{round|30/19|3}} 4: {{round|1/1|3}} Axle ratio: {{round|42/13|3}} (42:13) |- ! Electrical system |colspan="2"| 12 volt |- ! Front suspension |colspan="2"| Double wishbones air suspension · rubber springs · stabilizing bar |- ! Rear suspension |colspan="2"| Low-pivot swing axle · radius arms self-leveling air suspension · rubber springs · stabilizing bar |- ! Brakes |colspan="2"| Disc brakes · power assisted Ø front discs: {{convert|291|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} · two-caliper Ø rear discs: {{convert|294.5|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Steering |colspan="2"| Recirculating ball steering · power assisted |- ! Body structure |colspan="2"| Sheet steel · unibody construction |- ! Dry weight | {{convert|2600|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | {{convert|2770|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Loaded weight | {{convert|3050|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | {{convert|3340|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Track front |colspan="2"| {{convert|1587|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Track rear |colspan="2"| {{convert|1581|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Wheelbase | {{convert|3200|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | {{convert|3900|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Length | {{convert|5540|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | {{convert|6240|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Width |colspan="2"| {{convert|1950|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Height | {{convert|1500|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} | {{convert|1510|mm|in|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Tyre/Tire sizes |colspan="2"| 9.00H15 Supersport (6PR) |- ! Top speed | {{convert|205|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} | {{convert|200|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} |- ! Fuel consumption | {{convert|24.0|L/100 km|lk=on}}{{efn| name="Petrol"| petrol · 98 RON · estimates}} | {{convert|26.0|L/100 km|lk=on}}{{efn| name="Petrol"}} |- ! Price Germany USA | 1964: DM 56,500 1979: DM 144,368 1965: US-$ 22,000<ref>{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Covello |title=Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002 |publisher=Krause Publication |location=Iola |year=2002 |isbn=0-87341-605-8 |page=533}}</ref> | 1964: DM 63,500 1979: DM 165,760 1965: US-$ 24,000 |- |colspan="3" style="background:#AAF"| |- |colspan="3"| {{notelist|3|group=efn}} |- |colspan="3" style="background:#AAF"| |} </div>

== References ==

=== Notes ===

=== Bibliography ===

==== General ====

{{Refbegin|2}} * {{Barrett: Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz|edition=Second}} * {{Brooklands: On Mercedes 1963-1970}} * {{cite book |editor-last=Clarke |editor-first=R.M. |title=Mercedes-Benz S Class and 600: Limited Edition Extra 1965-1972 |date=2005 |publisher=Brooklands Books |location=Cobham, Surrey, UK |isbn=1855206935 |editor-mask=5}} * {{cite book |last1=Hofner |first1=Heribert |title=Mercedes-Benz 600 |date=2001 |publisher=Delius Klasing |location=Bielefeld, Germany |isbn=3768811999 |language=de}} * {{Hofner: Mercedes-Benz Typenkunde|author-mask=7|volume=3}} * {{cite book |last1=Koehling |first1=Bernd S. |title=Mercedes-Benz: Everything you want to know about the W100: From the SWB 600 and coach-built models to the Pullman Landaulet |date=2021 |publisher=Independently published |isbn=9798741990841}} * {{Mercedes-Benz The 1960s|author-mask=8|volume=2}} * {{McComb: Mercedes-Benz V8s}} * {{Niemann: Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz}} * {{Nitskey: Mercedes-Benz Production Models Book 1946-1995}} * {{Deutsche Autos|volume=4}} * {{Oswald: Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen|author-mask=7|volume=2}} * {{Mercedes-Benz (Koch)|volume=1}} * {{cite book |last1=Sacardi |first1=Cajetan |title=Mercedes-Benz 300 & 600: Staatslimousinen 1951–1981 |trans-title=Mercedes-Benz 300 & 600: State Limousines 1951–1981 |series=Schrader-Typen-Chronik series |date=2013 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=9783613035324 |language=de}} * {{Schlegelmilch: Mercedes}} * {{Mercedes-Benz since 1945|volume=2}} * {{cite book |last1=Wiedmaier |first1=Michael |last2=Knetsch |first2=Wulf H. |title=600: Der Grosse Mercedes / The Grand Mercedes |date=1999 |publisher=Verlag Direkte Kommunikation |location=Gundersheim, Germany |isbn=3933797012 |language=de,en}} * {{cite book |last1=Wiedmaier |first1=Michael |title=Mercedes-Benz 600: die Feine Art des Fahrens |trans-title=Mercedes-Benz 600: The Fine Art of Driving |series=WKP-Edition Klassik series |date=2008 |publisher=WKP-Verlag |location=Freilassing |isbn=9783980727143 |language=de |author-mask1=9}} {{Refend}}

==== Workshop manuals ==== {{Refbegin|2}} * {{Chilton: Mercedes-Benz: 1968-73|ref=none}} * {{Freeman: Mercedes-Benz: 1959-70}} * {{Mellon: Mercedes: Coupes 1974-84 Repair Manual}} * {{Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion}} {{Refend}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category|Mercedes-Benz W100 600|Mercedes-Benz W100}} * [http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1408430-1-1409752-1-0-1-1409771-0-1-12637-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1427314542618 Mercedes-Benz 600 – historical information at Daimler.com] * [http://m-100.co/ The International M-100 Group] (with a car registry by serial number) * [http://www.conceptcarz.com/z19660/Mercedes-Benz-600.aspx Photos of the 1965 papal landaulet at Conceptcarz.com] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxU76BOnJFc Presentation of the 600 SWB at Amelia Island, Florida] - video * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LnHdWgLlFI Jay Leno's Garage – 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600] - video

600 Category:Cars introduced in 1963 Category:Cars discontinued in 1981 Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Category:1960s cars Category:1970s cars Category:1980s cars Category:Limousines Category:Luxury vehicles Category:Flagship vehicles