After ending the production of the 190 lineup, Mercedes-Benz introduced the W110 model in 1961 as its mid-size sedan on the market, also known as the "Heckflosse" (fintail in German).
It was the era of sharp rear fenders, and the German automaker followed the same design trends when it penned the W110 model, hence vehicle's nickname. It was a radical design change after the "Ponton" range. To cut production costs, the three-pointed-star brand used the same axles as those installed on the 220b range.
At the front, it kept the same front fascia with a narrow and tall grille vertically mounted. In front of it, on the lower side, the carmaker installed a chromed metallic bumper wrapped around the corners. On the sides, the design team made a slightly descending line that emphasized the size of the rear quarter panels. Finally, at the back, Mercedes-Benz added horizontally-mounted taillights placed between the trunk's lid and the chromed bumper.
Inside, the sloped and narrow dashboard featured a taller area for the instrument cluster. The carmaker installed either vertical dials with sliders or round dials for the speedometer and the oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level gauges. Between them, on the upper side, Mercedes-Benz installed a clock. The comfortable seats were suitable for up to five passengers.
In 1961, the automaker offered the vehicle with a gasoline-powered 1.9-liter inline-four. Later on, Mercedes-Benz added a diesel version for it that was sold in higher numbers than its spark-ignition variant.