| At the Frankfurt motor show IAA, in September 1977, the so-called ,T-model"_ was presented as the third body variant with the series 123. ,T" stood for tourism and transport. For the first time an estate or station wagon solely produced by the house was part of the official selling program. From April 1978 onwards, the production was carried out in the plant in Bremen. Having been reserved to the manufacturing of delivery lorries before, it now step by step was equipped to assemble passenger cars.
Technically and stylistically the T-models corresponded mostly to the limousines on which they had been based. Except for the deviant tail end and the thus resulting changes, no differences could be seen. Aggregates, brake systems and chassis were practically taken over unchanged from the limousines. Thus the T-models, too, were equipped with a semi-trailing arm rear axle. In the standard version, however, it was now combined with a hydropneumatic levelling system as well as with a twin control arm front wheel suspension with zero steering offset.
The T-models saw an immediate success and were offered with Diesel and petrol engine. At first, the model range comprised types 240_TD, 300_TD, 230_T, 250_T and 280_TE. As with the limousines there were differences in the equipment of the body. Only the top model 280_TE exhibited rectangular wide-band head lamps and chromed air inlet grills in front of the windscreen. All other types were equipped with the characteristic twin head lamps and the black air inlet grills.
In the years 1978 and 1979 the same changes were made in the range of engines of the T-models as in the corresponding limousine types. First in August 1978 the performance of the 240_TD was stepped up to 72_PS. One year later, in September 1979, the fife-cylinder Diesel engine of the 300_TD as well as the six-cylinder carburettor engine experienced a power increase.
Between June and November 1980 three new variants completed the type program of the T-model. In June the 230_TE was presented. It replaced the 230_T with carburettor engine which had been produced for two years. The totally redeveloped 2,3_ltr.-4_cyl.-engine with mechanically controlled petrol injection mobilised 136_PS and superseded the traditional carburettor engine, equal in piston displacement, not only in the T-model, but also in coupe and limousine.
In October 1980 the series production of type 300_TD_turbodiesel started-. It had already been presented in the autumn of the previous year. It was equipped with the 125_PS strong version of the 3,0_ltr.-5_cyl.-engine, which from that time onwards was also built into the S-class export model 300_SD. The 300_TD_turbodiesel was the first Mercedes-Benz passenger car with turbo engine that was available on the domestic market. In terms of price it took the top position within the type range. Accordingly, it presented itself, as the 280_TE, in the upper body equipment with rectangular wide-band head lamps and chromed air inlet grills infront of the windscreen.
Since November a further T-model variant left the assembly line. It had already been presented to the public in June together with the 230_TE. The new type 200_T had a 2,0_ltr.-4_cyl.-engine with 109_PS which had been developed together with the 136_PS strong 2.3_ltr.-injection engine. Both aggregates were different versions of the totally reconstructed
In September 1982 the T-models as well as the other type families of series 123 benefited from a comprehensive model improvement. The most conspicuous characteristic of the improved variants was the rectangular wide-band head lamps which so far had only been built into top models. The air inlet grills in front of the windscreen were now all black. In order to minimise wind noise the protecting cover of the A-pillars was optimised. A number of details of the interior equipment were also improved. Furthermore, all models now were delivered with a power steering as standard equipment and with ALS and airbag on demand. For 250_T all these measures, however, were too late. Its production had already been stopped in August 1982.
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