I just consulted (edit: was "got") my factory brochure for the German market cars, which come in three separate parts for the W123 family of cars. The "T-Modell" as it is called, is never given the name "Touren" or "Touring" or any other explanation of the meaning of the "T" designation. The series of "T-Modelle" are noted in another part of the brochure to be "T-Limousinen" and the connection to the "W123 Limousine" heritage is stressed to make the point that it has the same turning circle and fits in the same parking places.

It is further noted to solve the issues of transporting goods, there is a large (1.23 meters long by 1.48 meters wide (max) area behind the rear seats, that can be expanded to 1.78 meters long by folding the rear seats, or 2.03 meters long if you remove the seat cushions in the rear seat) area to load (up to 700 kg)and a standard, across the board for all models "Niveauregulierung" or self levelling system to maintain stability.

All the models were: 240TD, 300TD, 300TD Turbo-Diesel, 200T, 230TE, and 280TE. I think we can imagine the first two even though they never officially arrived here from Mercedes-Benz, but the next ones may seem really odd. The 200T was a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder carburetor equipped motor delivering 109 hp (no emissions system). The 230TE had the engine that eventually made its US appearance in the 190E 2.3, but in this car it was a 2.3 liter fuel injected 4 cylinder delivering 136 hp without an emissions system. And the 280TE had a 2.8 liter in-line 6 cylinder engine delivering 185 hp (no emissions system). All the cars except the 300TD Turbo-Diesel came with a 4 speed manual as standard equipment, and all could be ordered with a 5 speed or an automatic. The 300TD Turbo-Diesel only came with an automatic.

The only turbocharged Diesel model available was the 300TD Turbo-Diesel, as the sedan was never sold over there with this engine. Neither was the "S" Class until the W126 era. I believe the 350SD was the first "S" Class offered in the home market with a Diesel of any sort.

While the "T" designation remains unidentified, I recall the "Touring" designation from the days I lived in Germany being associated with wagon models. But it is definitely not called Touring by Mercedes-Benz in their brochures. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)