Mercedes-Benz S350 2014 News

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the two-door coupe version of its flagship S-Class, featuring everything from Swarovski crystal blinged headlights to world-first technology that lets it 'bank' on corners.The crystals are an extra option -- 17 for the daytime running lights and 30 for the indicator lights in each cluster -- that combine with the standard LED light clusters.The 'curve tilting' system allows the car to lean into bends in the same way a motorcycle would "reducing the lateral acceleration acting on the vehicle's occupants," the press statement says, adding that it improves ride comfort particularly on country roads. By which they mean European country roads rather than the rutted goat tracks with which some parts of Australia are blessed.Integrated into the vehicle's 'Magic Body Control' and 'Active Body Control' systems that monitor the road ahead and adjust the suspension in preparation, the tilt tech works to counter the laws of physics by leaning the vehicle almost instantaneously up to 2.5 degrees. The new system uses cameras to scan up to 15 metres ahead and calculate when and how far to tilt.Apart from the bedazzled headlight clusters, the styling is largely a toned-down version of the coupe concept that was unveiled in Frankfurt last September, with a face set off by an imposing grille and sleek roof line.Under the bonnet in S500 form is a twin-turbocharged 4.6-litre V8 engine developing 335kW of power and 700Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels. More versions will join the line-up after the unveiling, paralleling the sedan with an S63 carrying a 430kW/900Nm 5.5-litre turbo V8, while an AMG variant is also in the works.The S-Class Coupe is expected to arrive in Australia in the final quarter of this year, and while pricing has not yet been confirmed, it's unlikely to move too far from the CL-Class coupe it replaces as the S sedan's companion."We don't expect there will a significant change in pricing (from the CL-Class which opens  with the $336,500 CL500)," Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says, adding that there could be some increase on the usually single-figure annual sales."There'll be some uplift in volume -- there always is," he says. Plus CL buyers are some of our most loyal. After the launch of the last one, a customer stopped by Mercedes-Benz Express to drop his three-year-old CL off before a flight, saw the new one sitting there and bought it the next day."McCarthy says the Australian range will over time grow to four variants. "We will of have V12 models in Australia -- there are customers that, no matter how good the V8 is, will always want the V12."So the S500 will be followed by the AMG, the S600 and S65 -- we're not bringing the 65 in the sedan but we will with the coupe.  The time frame is probably a bit stretched out for them to arrive, and at this stage don't know definitely what it will beAnd the Mercedes-Benz Australia is keen on getting the new curve tilt technology here as an option. "If it's available to us, we will have it. This is what our technology is about -- improving your life. If live is a matter of degrees, in the case of the S-Class coupe it's actually 2.5 degrees to make a difference."And having seen the car in the flesh, it's ... gorgeous isn't the right word, nor is stunning. It's just ...right."Watch the desktop version of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe trailer video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The two-door version of the S-Class Coupe broke cover a couple of days back in a very blurry image nabbed from a Mercedes-Benz in-house presentation. But we're now getting a clearer look, thanks to Austrian site Autofilou.The German luxury brand is likely to give the car an official reveal within days, ahead of a global unveiling at Geneva motor show in March.But even this single photo gives a good idea of what to expect, with the elegant styling having been toned down considerably from the concept that appeared at the Frankfurt motor show last September -- a logical development given S-Class buyers are largely conservative.The cabin will echo that of the S-Class sedan in pushing forward the best and latest Mercedes can offer, including massive touschreen displays, but will offer a different steering wheel, revised wood and metal accent styling and drop the four-door's analog clock.The coupe will follow the engine line-up of the sedan, which for Australia likely means just three versions: an S350 with a 190kW/620Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and an S500 with a 335kW/700Nm 4.7-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8, plus the chance of the 430kW/900Nm bi-turbo 5.5-litre V8 in an aMG version. All three engines get seven-speed automatic transmissions, with the AMG scoring high-performance SpeedShift unit for sharper changes.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Confectionary brand M&M’s has also delivered a Super Bowl treat this week, with a new ad for the colourful button-shaped candies.Yellow – the peanut M&M character – is unknowingly taken captive by Russian underworld types, in the boot of an oh-so Russian baddie black S-Class Mercedes-Benz.The head mobster has his eye on tasty chopped peanut M&M icecream topping, and the oblivious Yellow is all for it. Watch the desktop version of the M&M's Super Bowl ad here. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000LUXURY CARSAudi A8: Audi will refresh its A8 flagship sedan lineup by mid-2014, with subtle styling tweaks and interior details, along with shuffled drivetrain options. (Approximately $188,000-$249,000)Audi RS7 Sportback: Essentially a five-door hatch version of the existing RS6 Avant, the RS7 will arrive in February with sleeker Sportback styling than the wagon, and the same 412kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. 0-100km/h is the same 3.9 seconds too. (Approximately $240,000)Bentley Continental GT S: While Bentley prepares its first SUV model, there’s not much else in store for 2014 from the legendary Brit aside from powered-up new S models added to the V8 Continental GT lineup. (Approximately $380,000)Jaguar XJR: Jaguar will add the new XJR to its XJ big sedan lineup in the first quarter, with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 performance flagship to sit above the existing Supersport range-topper. (Approximately $350,000)Lexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli: 2014 is set to be a big year for Maserati, with the new Quattroporte (Approximately from $250,000) arriving in V6 form in January, and V8 form in February, with the return of the smaller Ghibli sedan ( Approximately from $150,000) in March.Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Mercedes will cap its local S-Class sedan lineup in January, with the arrival of the $385,000 S63 AMG high performance model. The 430kW/900Nm twin-turbo V8 S63 will sit above the existing S350 and S500 models, and be joined by the diesel-electric S350 BlueTec hybrid and twin-turbo V6 S400 variants by June. (Approximately $250,000-$385,000)Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: Mercedes’ upcoming S-Class Coupe is expected down under before the year’s end, with the yet to be officially revealed new model replacing the existing CL coupe models. A drop-top version is also planned, and a V8 and V12 petrol-only lineup is expected with an entry price north of $300,000 likely.Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid: The plug-in Panamera E-Hybrid is also due early in the year, with a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and 70kW electric motor to enable 3.1L/100km fuel use with 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $296,900)SUV/4WDLand Rover Range Rover: Before mid-year, Land Rover will add a range-topping lineup (Approximately $250,000) with new hybrid versions of it and the Sport expected before the end of the year. (Approximately $102,000-$182,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAston Martin V12 Vantage S: Aston will add its fastest model this side of the ultra-exclusive One-77 in the first quarter of this year, in the form of the track-ready V12 Vantage S coupe. (Approximately $450,000)BMW M3 and M4: BMW’s new M3 and M4 mid-size performance heroes are set to arrive after mid-year, with the move to twin-turbo six power resulting in the fastest M3 to date, and matched by the renamed M4 coupe. (Approximately $124,000-$180,000)BMW i8: The i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is expected to arrive before the year’s end, blending grand tourer luxury with 4.4 second 0-100km/h acceleration and 2.5L/100km fuel economy. (Approximately $200,000)Ferrari 458 Speciale: The first of 60 Australian examples of Ferrari’s hardcore 458 Speciale are set to arrive before mid-year, with the lighter, more powerful track-focused special able to lap Fiorano 1.5 seconds faster than the old Enzo flagship. (Approximately $550,000)Jaguar F-Type Coupe: Jaguar will add the recently unveiled Coupe version of its stunning F-Type in the third quarter, with the 20kg lighter V6, V6 S and V8 S variants also expected to slightly undercut their soft-top counterparts on price. The Coupe-only F-Type R will sit at the top of the hardtop range, with the 404kW/680Nm spec V8 promising 0-100km/h acceleration in the order of 4.2 seconds. (Approximately $125,000-$200,000)Lamborghini Huracan: With the Gallardo now officially out of production, Lamborghini is keen to follow with its Huracan replacement to sit beneath the V12 Aventador models before June. The V10 Huracan is set to challenge Ferrari’s 458 with an uprated version of the Gallardo’s 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. From $428,000Nissan GT-R: Nissan will bring its latest incarnation of the GT-R performance coupe down under from March, with cosmetic upgrades the key changes for 2014. New LED headlights and taillights are changed for the first time since 2007, and mesh wheels keep Nissan’s giant-killer a fresh opponent for Porsche’s new 911 Turbo models. (Approximately from $170,000)Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3: Porsche will launch several key hi-po versions of the 991 911 to its Australian lineup in the first half of 2014, with the $359,800 Turbo and $441,300 Turbo S arriving first in coupe and convertible ($29,000 premium) guises, with the $294,000 track-oriented and now PDK-only GT3 soon after.Porsche 911 Targa: The new semi-convertible unveiled in Detroit will touch down in Australia before mis-year, with a new folding roof mechanism and all-wheel drive 4 and 4S versions. Both manual and PDK auto will be available, and prices will sit $2,300-$3,300 over existing Cabriolet models. (Approximately $247,900-$291,050)CONVERTIBLESAston Martin Vanquish Volante: For those who prefer their V12 Astons roofless and with a back seat, Aston will bring the Vanquish Volante to Australia in the first quarter of 2014. (Approximately $510,000)Bentley Continental GTC S: Like the hardtop GT, the soft top Continental GTC is set to score a powered up S model in 2014. (Approximately $420,000)BMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)   

Earlier this week, Jaguar released an ad that spoofed Mercedes-Benz's 'chicken' ad -- which used the gimbal-like qualities of a chook's head and body to highlight the high-tech suspension of the German brand's flagship S-Class.The Jaguar video ad pooh-poohed the idea of the Mercedes 'Magic Ride' system, with the British brand saying "we prefer cat-like reflexes" and introducing the fowl to the Jaguar -- with the expected results.Today Mercedes has fired a returning salvo, with the ad below, showing they're not averse to a bit of luxury brand banter.We're hoping this turns into a similar car ad war to the battles fought in the US by Audi and BMW with a series of ads, kicked off by a billboard in California, with a later skirmish in Hong Kong. That volley started on the theme of which brand had the best claim to being a luxury badge, and later moved to a comparison between beauty and performance -- with some other brands tipping in. The point and counterpoint kept us all amused, and social media aflame, for some time.In the end, nothing is decided by the exercise. But there are no losers when the major car brands show they have a sense of humour behind all the usual marketing spin.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincottWatch the Jaguar chicken ad on or desktop site.Watch the Mercedes-Benz chicken ad on or desktop site. 

Benz is planning a super-stretched S-Class next year with a 2+2+2 seating layout but this car is "only" the long-wheelbase S. It picks up an additional 200 millimetres for rear legroom and there is also a third side window hidden beneath the camo tape. 

The photos show how the car has been slimmed and trimmed to make it less of a heavyweight. The coupe will pick up all the technology from the S-Class sedan and will also still come with a V12 engine for people who don't have to worry about petrol.

Picture this: a giant Airbus A380 passenger jet is in the background, a German ‘Stig’ in an SLS Gullwing is doing doughnuts on a soaking wet tarmac, a procession of all current model Mercs lines up to make a guard of honour. At the finale two all-new Mercedes S-Class saloons drive past their lesser brethren and onto the stage in front of an audience of 500+ senior motoring journalists from around the world.I’ve experienced some major automotive reveals over the past 30 years, but nothing on the scale of this event produced by Mercedes to reveal its most prestigious model.To our eyes the styling of the first new S-Class since 2005 is just right. Elegant with a touch of aggression, the big Mercedes looks superb on the outside and positively luxurious inside its large four-seat cabin. High quality materials are used throughout and the carefully contrasting colours work nicely.But it’s far from being all about looks. For many years the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been used to introduce new technology to the automotive world.In particular, safety technology that eventually filters down till it reaches the lowest end of the car market resulting in saving countless lives worldwide.To try to avoid crashes, the S-Class monitors 360 degrees around itself and alerts the driver to possible dangers. If the driver ignores the alerts or doesn’t take sufficient action the car will take control and brake and/or steer its way clear. If that’s not enough it will do everything it can to mitigate the collision forces.Safety belts in the rear seats of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class have inbuilt airbags that expand the width and depth of the belt during a crash to not only provide better protection, but also to minimise ‘belt bruising’ on your body.The airbag safety belts aren’t required in the front seats as the occupants are protected by the conventional front ‘bags.Mercedes points out that its semi-autonomous car should not be regarded as an excuse for driver inattention, saying the responsibility must always remain with the driver.Intelligent headlights automatically give you as much light as possible in exactly the right spots. Using lights that not only vary in intensity, but also move from side to side as well as up and down spreads the light widely and lets you see far more than standard lights. Just as importantly the Mercedes’ lights do this without dazzling other drivers.The new S-Class looks for roadside dangers by way of cameras and radar and flashes extra light on them. For example, the car will ‘see’ pedestrians and larger animals. This not only helps the driver see the potential dangers, but also alerts the person on foot to the car’s presence.Taillights and brake lights vary in intensity according to ambient light. Showing maximum light when the car is in bright areas, such as cities, but less when it is surrounded by darkness.Still on the subject of lights, the big Mercedes has a grand total of zero light globes. Rather it uses hundreds of LED lights which use tiny amounts of energy when compared with conventional globes. This contributes to lower fuel consumption as there’s no need for a large alternator producing lots of electricity. Every little bit helps in slowing climate change.New S-Class Mercedes is expected in Australia late in the third quarter of this year, though the dates and final specifications are yet to be finalised. It’s arguably the best car in the world today and it doesn’t surprise us to learn that a queue is already starting to form to have one from the first shipment

The development of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class has been an open secret thanks to the work of spies and even Mercedes' own revelations. Now we get a completely undisguised look at the upcoming luxury sedan just days ahead of its official reveal in Hamburg, Germany, this Wednesday.These brochure scans, which were first posted on enthusiast site GermanCarForum, reveal not only the exterior and interior designs but also some of the technical specifications. Some of the specs listed include those of the S350 Bluetec, S400 Hybrid and S500 models.The new S350 Bluetec is said to maintain the current model's 3.0-litre V-6 turbodiesel, with an output of 190 kilowatts. The new S400 also maintains the current model's 3.5-litre V-6 and electric motor combination, and level of 225 kilowatts.Finally, a new S500 sticks with a twin-turbocharged 4.7-litre V-8 but has output bumped up to 335 kilowatts, a gain of 15 kilowatts. It should be noted that the brochure is for a European-spec 2014 S Class, so some of the features mentioned may differ for versions of the car sold in Australia.The S Class is arguably the most important model for Mercedes-Benz as it traditionally represents the pinnacle in engineering and technological know-how of the German automaker. This ‘W222’ generation of the car is also particularly important as it will be doing double duty as the flagship for the entire Daimler group now that the Maybach brand has been disbanded.LED daytime running lights and turn indicators, a larger, reshaped grille, the sculpted, angular front end aerodynamics, and large alloy wheels are the dominant features in the leaked images. The styling is conservative, though it helps form some familiarity across the Mercedes-Benz lineup which in turn should help new additions like the upcoming CLA and GLA models.Inside, the 2014 S Class has already shown itself to be another masterwork in the luxury sedan class, with a new twin-spoke steering wheel, quilted leather upholstery, and individual seating for four (at least in one configuration).Sales of the 2014 S Class will commence in the second half of the year. Coupe, Cabriolet and even an extra-long ’Pullman’ model are in the works and expected to be released over the next 12-18 months.www.motorauthority.com 

...but don't have to wait that long to see exactly how it looks. The S is caught by Carparazzi without a skerrick of camouflage and the promise of a Magic Ride Control system that uses cameras to watch the road ahead and instantly adjust the suspension to suit. Here early in 2014 for at least $200,000.