The Geneva Motor Show: A Premier Venue for Mercedes-Benz and the 220SE Coupe (W 111)

Traditionally, this is the first major European motor show of the year and has a long history. The first of these was hosted by the Swiss Automobile Club (ACS) on 29 April 1905 at a polling station covering 1,200 square metres. The Mercedes-Benz parent company based in Stuttgart – rather than the Swiss representative – was on-site at the 1926 Motor Show for the first time. The exhibition area covered by the Motor Show, which took place annually, was constantly expanded. Compared to other trade fairs such as those in Detroit, Frankfurt and Tokyo, however, it remained comparatively small – but of a high standard, as one would expect in sophisticated Geneva. In 2020 and 2021, this exclusive show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stuttgart. In the past, the Geneva Motor Show has always been a dazzling premiere venue for Mercedes-Benz. A look back over our shoulders brings back some very special memories: thus it was, 60 years ago, that the laid-back elegance of the 220 SE Coupé (W 111) thrilled the public. It was 30 years ago that the S-Class in model series 140 attracted the public eye in Geneva. In a less spectacular manner, but nevertheless of a high profile because of their tremendous utility value, two estate models aroused considerable attention 25 years ago: in 1996 Mercedes-Benz added a sporty estate variant (S 202) to the C-Class line-up of models for the first time. And the E-Class Estate (S 210) presented at the same time featured unrivaled spaciousness.

Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupé (W 111): In 1961, one of the most elegant coupés in the brand’s history was displayed at Lake Geneva. That luxurious two-door model – and together with it the cabriolet presented in autumn of the same year – was then built for eleven years with a range of different engine and transmission variants. Technically, the 220 SE Coupé was based on the “tail fin” saloon and, like the latter, was assigned the model series designation W 111. The unchanged floor assembly offered plenty of room for four seats and a large boot. However, the coupé’s body was 80 millimetres lower than that of the saloon, so only the radiator grille and the front light units could be carried over. The six-cylinder engine developed 88 kW (120 hp) from a displacement of 2.2 litres. The coupé and cabriolet are still coveted models today: the later versions with V8 engines, in particular, are amongst the most sought-after Mercedes-Benz classics.