Bruno Sacco once famously said, “a Mercedes-Benz must always look like a Mercedes-Benz.” The Italian designer upheld this philosophy throughout his distinguished career at the German luxury automaker.
Over the 41 years he spent at Mercedes-Benz, following earlier work at coachbuilders Ghia and Pininfarina, Sacco was responsible for some of the brand’s most iconic vehicles.
Sacco joined Mercedes-Benz in 1958 as a second stylist working on pre-body development, eventually taking charge of the Body Design and Dimensional Concept department.
In his early years, he contributed to notable models like the 600 (W100) and the 230 SL, also known as the “Pagoda” (W113).
His talents were also directed toward experimental vehicles, including the rotary engine-powered C 111 and C 111-II with their distinctive gullwing doors.
In 1975, Sacco became head of the Stylistics department, and his first major project was the W123 T-Modell, which became the forerunner of the E-Class wagon and the company’s first station wagon. H
e also designed the S-Class W126 and its coupe variant, the sleek C126, while overseeing the approval of the G-Class design during the late 1970s.
Reflecting on his career, the designer, born in Udine, Italy, often expressed particular pride in the 126 series: “The 126 model series in all design forms is the best thing I have done for Mercedes-Benz.”
As a testament to his affection for that model line, Sacco kept a dark blue 560 SEC in his personal garage after his retirement.
Sacco’s designs were instrumental in helping Mercedes-Benz attract a younger audience, especially with the introduction of the 190 series (W201), the precursor to the C-Class.
His later projects included the A-Class, which debuted in 1997, and he was also responsible for designing the original M-Class luxury SUV and the V-Class minivan.
His final contributions to Mercedes-Benz before retiring on March 31, 1999, were the W220 S-Class and the related C215 CL-Class.
Many of the cars Sacco designed were produced during a time when Mercedes-Benz was known for building vehicles with exceptional engineering, earning the company its reputation for making cars “built like a tank.”
Sacco’s designs from this period are regarded as timeless, reflecting the lasting impact of his work over several decades. Long after his retirement, Sacco affirmed his lifelong connection to the brand, stating:
“Mercedes has been my life, and I stand for that time one hundred percent.”
On September 19, 2023, Bruno Sacco passed away in Sindelfingen, Germany, at the age of 90. His legacy lives on in the cars he created and the design language he helped shape at Mercedes-Benz.