The most iconic designs from the late automotive visionary

From the fastest supercars to small premium saloons and the occasional super-luxe coupé, Bruno Sacco was the great car designer whose work defined a marque. Italian-born Sacco, who has died at the of 90, spent his working life at Mercedes-Benz after a brief stint at Turin’s Carrozzeria Ghia. Ten of his best designs:

Table of Contents

C111-11 concept

Boasting gullwing doors, mid-engined with luxurious interior and then-scarce air conditioning, Bruno Sacco's 1969 C111-11 still looks quite the supercar business. Just sixteen were made to experiment with Wankel engines, multi-link suspension and turbocharging. Top speed? 186 mph.

W123

More than two and a half million made over nine years from 1975, and a reputation for reliability such that you’ll still see them on the roads of just about any country you care to visit. “You can recognise good design,” Sacco liked to say, “by the lack of schnickschnack.” None here.

SEC (W126)

Big coupé with all the bells and whistles, and yet not a detail out of place, looking as crisp today as when it emerged in 1981. Bruno Sacco liked it so much that in retirement he kept a dark blue SEC in his garage as a daily driver.

190 (W201)

Launched in 1982 and an instant success, the 190 was the most commercially important of Bruno Sacco’s designs. City-sharp with a cut-off tail, first small Mercedes-Benz defined premium executive transport. A great starter classic today.

E-CLASS (W124)

Mid-range 1984 Mercedes had been in the works for a while when Bruno Sacco submitted his ideas. Board of management loved the quiet air of achievement the E-Class conveyed, without at all threatening the limo-like presence of big brother S-Class.

SL (R129)

Sacco called this droptop “the most perfect car of my career” and we’d challenge you to disagree. Design brief demanded that, top down, wafting elegance was the keynote and the 1989 SL delivered. Simple wedge silhouette was very much of that time.

CLK (C208)

Based on the C-Class platform, 1997 CLK was the Mercedes coupé for the - relatively - smaller budget. Sacco didn’t see the CLK as a performance car, rather as a four-seater with a supremely comfortable ride. Try the V6, though.

E-CLASS (W210)

Second generation E-Class in 1994 more than updated the original ten years on. Bruno Sacco’s concept took the E-Class firmly up-market while still managing to respect and reference his W124. AMG versions super-fast: Michael Schumacher owned a E55 AMG estate.

M-Class (W163)

You wouldn’t call the M-Class SUV elegant. There’s no doubt though that Bruno Sacco’s work on American-built SUV was financially significant for Mercedes-Benz. Range Rover was first, but M-Class in 1997 was ahead of both Porsche’s Cayenne and BMW’s X5. Bargain today.

S-CLASS (W220)

Mercedes-Benz says the 1998 S-Class was Bruno Sacco’s last full design before his retirement in 1999. Design says you already own a country house. Double glazing keeps nasty outside world at bay. You’ll still see examples of this unbreakable Merc flagship around today, serene as ever.

From 10 of the most beautifully designed Mercedes cars to 10 of the most expensive.

Related Articles