The 123 model series

A technical innovation was the new safety steering column, which featured the steering unit to be connected to the steering column tube by means of a corrugated tube. In case of an impact, the corrugated tube was also able to bend sideways. This further reduced the risk of the steering column intruding into the vehicle interior.

In addition:

• even more rigid passenger cell with reinforced roof frame structure
• high-strength door posts and door pillars
• reinforced doors

The controlled deformability of the front-end structure and the rear end significantly increased the energy absorption of the front and rear crumple zones.

Starting in August 1980, ABS became optionally available for all models of the 123 series. The airbag was added as another option in January 1982.

Characteristic design features of the new models were the different sized round twin headlamps; a smaller halogen fog lamp was housed next to the main headlamp under a shared lens. In contrast, the two top-of-the range models, the 280 and 280 E, were fitted with rectangular halogen wide-band headlamps. With the 1982 model facelift, all models were fitted with the rectangular wide-band headlamps. As a result, the round headlamps lovingly called "bull's eyes" were history.

On the outside, the two 2.8 l models differed in three more aspects from their less powerful brethren: both the 280 and the 280 E had a dual exhaust system with twin tailpipes, chrome-plated air intake grilles in front of the windscreen and an additional chrome strip under each tail lamp.

In keeping with a long-standing tradition, the saloons of the 123 series were also available as a rolling chassis with partial body, which body manufacturers in Germany and abroad fitted out as ambulances, estate cars or other special-purpose versions.

As already was the case for the predecessor series, there again was a stretched version of the 240 D, 300 D and 250 models.

During the course of 1977, three new body style variants were added to the model range of the 123 series over a period of 12 months. The first was a coupé with highly appealing styling presented at the Geneva Motor Show. It was available as a 230 C, 280 C and 280 CE.

Starting in August, the 240 D, 300 D and 250 models became available as 7/8-seat saloons with long wheelbase, which were predominantly used by taxi and rental car companies in shuttle services.

Finally, the so-called T-Models or Estate cars - "T" for Tourism and Transport - were presented as the fourth body style variant at the IAA in Frankfurt in September.