From the side, these six-cylinder cars can readily be distinguished from their shorter four-cylinder siblings by the extra "quarter light" windows incorporated in the rear doors.

The engine was carried over from the W187 model 220; in this application it was fed by a single carburetor and delivered 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp).

The most obvious difference is the addition of a chrome strip running along the front fenders and doors of the 220 S. The 220 S was available with a 4-speed column shift manual transmission, with an optional Hydrak automatic clutch.

In July 1956, a convertible (two doors, four seats) joined the line-up, and in October 1956 a coupé version followed suit.

The fuel-injected 220 SE versions that officially bore the model code W128 were introduced in October 1958 and carried on until November 1960.