• March 13: At the 4th International ESV Conference in Kyoto, Japan, Daimler-Benz presents the ESF 22 experimental safety vehicle, based on the S-Class 116 series.
• March 15 - 25: The 116 series 450 SE and 450 SEL models and the 107 series 450 SL and 450 SLC with 4.5 liter V8 engine, all presented at the Geneva Motor Show, complement the product range.
• May: The Austrian company "Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG" and Daimler-Benz AG agree to cooperation in the development, production and sale of off-road vehicles.
• August 6 - 10: The updated 114/115 mid-series is unveiled to the press at Hockenheim. The new 230.4 replaces the 220, and the 240 D expands the product range by a third diesel variant. Public debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main in September.

From February 1973 the whole W114/115 cars were given a four-spoke safety steering wheel.
In August the 240 D was added as a third type of diesel. The 220 was replaced by a short-stroke four-cylinder engine as a new type 230/4. To distinguish it from the 2.3 litre 6-cylinder model the former was given designation 230/6. The entire model range recieved somewhat lower and wider grill—difficult to spot modification. More noticable is a front spoiler and singular bumbers on all model. Standard equipment includes now automatic seat belts, head restraints, mirrors adjustable from inside and ribbed rear lights. In late 1973, the Type 200 with lower compression engine (1:8, 85 bhp) become available for certain markets were high octane petrol is not widely available.

280 E

230.4

280 E

250 C

MERCEDES-BENZ 230.4 £3,689
Introduced at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show the 230 4 is a new model which utilises a much-improved version of Mercedes-Benz' small body, powered by a newly-developed 2.3-litre petrol engine which has massive torque gains over the earlier 220 model. Its impressive medium and low-speed power is gained at 12 per cent fewer engine revolutions, meaning a more effortless performance. The traditional Mercedes grille is wider and lower on the 230 4, and in Europe there is also a new diesel-engined 240 D version with low running costs.
London show review

MERCEDES-BENZ 450 SEL £9,582
The famous German manufacturer claims that its 'S' range would be impossible to improve upon in the light of present-day technology, and if it were possible, no-one would be able to afford it! Certainly the latest big Mercedes are magnificently-engineered, bristle with realistic safety features, and are capable of extremely high performance. The S-range was introduced with 2.8 and 3½-litre engines, and these have been supplemented by 4½-litre (hence 450) models. The V8-engined 450 SEL is the long-wheelbase saloon, suitable for executive luxury travel.
London show review