Thursday 9th April 2009

New Merc S-class Revealed

Safer, greener and more powerful S-class unveiled

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Mercedes has unveiled a new facelifted S-class at the New York motor show.

The new executive saloon gets a few minor changes to the front end, with new headlights, more aerodynamic door mirrors and a more pronounced radiator grille. The new S will also get the now obligatory LED running lights in the front bumper.

At the rear the most noticeable changes are to the tail-lights, which now get a cluster of 52 LED lights that, according to Mercedes, “form an unmistakable light signature”. The exhausts have also been integrated into the rear bumper, giving the rear of the new S-class a cleaner look.

Like the new E-class, the S-class will be filled with the latest in Mercedes safety technology including dimming headlights that automatically flick from dips to full beams. There's also a night view camera system to help detect pedestrians or wildlife that might be in the road and an advanced lane assist function. Completing the S-class's safety features is the newly developed drowsiness detection system that monitors over 70 different parameters, including steering patterns, to determine the driver’s level of alertness.

The range of available engines has also been updated, with five petrol units and one diesel option all promising lower emissions and better fuel consumption. The range-topping S600 model will get 510bhp from its twin turbo 5.5-litre unit, while the S63 and S65 AMG versions will deliver 518bhp and 604bhp respectively.

Mercedes will also add a hybrid model to the S-class range, but the S400 Hybrid, that was unveiled at the New York show will not go on sale in the UK.

[gumball3K]

This is a facelift Merc S-CLass with cosmetic changes.

[Crusoe]

Would have thought diesel would have been a big seller, surprising there is only one Satan’s fuel engine choice.

[Baked_bean]

Crusoe said:

Would have thought diesel would have been a big seller, surprising there is only one Satan’s fuel engine choice.

The sort of people that buy s classes brand new don't care for economy really!

[Crusoe]

plenty of them as taxi's up here

[KingRichard]

Baked_bean said:

Crusoe said:

Would have thought diesel would have been a big seller, surprising there is only one Satan’s fuel engine choice.

The sort of people that buy s classes brand new don't care for economy really!

What chauffeurs and airport taxi's?

[mackie1]

The one in the pictures in badged hybrid but there's no mention of this in the article? S400 Hybrid. 4.0l V8 with leccy motor? A bit like the LS600h?

[TonyHetherington]

Ok genuine question, have wing mirror aerodynamicists come an extremely long way in 1 yr, or is it a bit of a marketing thing?

In all facelift cars there are "better" things, but I can't believe technology has improved THAT much in such a short space of time. Or has it, and I am totally out of sync?

[btdk5]

How come new york gets a motor show and london doesnt.

[ShadownINja]

They've gone for the ugly BMW sticking out boot.

[varsas]

ShadownINja said:

They've gone for the ugly BMW sticking out boot.

I don't like the rear bumper much, either. Reminds me of the front bumper of a phantom, whole car is a bit ugly really. I'd want better if I was spending that much.

[mybrainhurts]

Crusoe said:

plenty of them as taxi's up here

Please remove that apostrophe...

[mybrainhurts]

Anybody know how much it costs to replace an LED unit when it fails / gets broken..?

[mybrainhurts]

story said:

newly developed drowsiness detection system that monitors over 70 different parameters, including steering patterns, to determine the driver’s level of alertness.

Does that mean, if you decide to switch from pootle mode to press-on mode, you get 250 volts though your backside, just in case...?

[Lagerlout]

TonyHetherington said:

Ok genuine question, have wing mirror aerodynamicists come an extremely long way in 1 yr, or is it a bit of a marketing thing?

In all facelift cars there are "better" things, but I can't believe technology has improved THAT much in such a short space of time. Or has it, and I am totally out of sync?

Who knows, one small criticism of the S-class is the noise from the mirror area, but by god it's so minimal they are just perfecting iddy biddy bits and pieces I think. PS, I'm not a chauffeur although my Wife thinks I am. As for economy it's not big on the list of attributes but my 320 CDI gets about 38mpg on a trip and 32mpg everywhere so it's not bad for a big barge. The reason to get the CDI is more around the torque needed to shift the car and for that the diesel is excellent. It's pretty quick too, low 7's in acceleration to 60. I've owned a lot of sports cars and still do but I can truely say the S class is a fabulous car. Put 25,000 mls on mine in about 18 months and for me much better than flying.

[Zod]

ShadownINja said:

They've gone for the ugly BMW sticking out boot.

This car is three years old! Haven't you seen them around? They copied the precious 7 Series' boot (who knows why) and its dash. BMW then dropped the ugly boot for the new 7 and returned to the driver-focused dashboard.

[alock]

mackie1 said:

The one in the pictures in badged hybrid but there's no mention of this in the article? S400 Hybrid. 4.0l V8 with leccy motor? A bit like the LS600h?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mercedes+S400+hybrid

[ureile]

Still looks like a Ford Mondeo.

[pSyCoSiS]

I love the Merc S Class, as I love the BMW 7 Series and Jag XJ.

The S Class has always felt more 'classy' over the 7.

However, I do sometimes think, that although these cars are packed with technical wizardry, they aren't built like the W126 and W140 S Class Mercs.

And why do all manufacturers now have LED running lights? Is it compulsory for all new motors to have them?

I really don't think they suit the Mercs, in the same way they suit the Audis...

[gumsie]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Oooh, I dunno. The 140 feels like it's made from granite. Granted a few chips of rock may fall off from time to time but it certainly feels like it'll last forever.

[jimmy306]

How come the S63 will only have 8bhp more then the S600, whats the point?