Mercedes-Benz S350 News

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.

 It's much more distinctive in the bodywork and could go public before the end of the year. 

Inside, there are two giant LCD displays, one for the instruments and the other for the infotainment system.The S-Class looks classy and we'll have a first drive report from Europe in July. 

The new S Class is longer and more luxurious than the existing model with styling influenced by the F700 concept car of 2007.

The S-Class prototype is tightly wrapped in all-over camouflage but Carparazi reports it looks longer and wider than the current car, with styling expected to be influence by the F700 concept car from 2007.

This explains the full body bag used to camouflage the car during cold-weather testing in Scandinavia.But Carparazzi still got the shot and predicts a body shape based on Benz's F700 concept car with a hybrid pack capable of 3.3 litres/100km economy in the second half of 2012.

One has two turbochargers, an eight-speed auto and a sub-5 second sprint time — but it isn't a sports car.The other has a 3.5-litre petrol V6 mated to an electric motor and, at 7.9 litres/100km, will be the cleanest, greenest luxury saloon to hit Australia.The bi-turbo car is BMW's new 7-Series luxury flagship, the 760Li, which arrives here in September with an expected $375,000 pricetag.The flagship gets a new all-aluminium 6-litre V12 engine with direct petrol injection and variable-valve timing and lift — all enough for 400kW at 5250rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1500rpm.BMW claims 13 litres/100km.But Mercedes-Benz almost cuts that consumption in half — and CO2 emissions to a mere 186g/km — with its S-Class hybrid, the S400 Hybrid.This car, one of 10 new S-Class models that may start coming into Australia in September, is the world's first standard production hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery.The S400 Hybrid's modified 3.5-litre petrol engine has 205kW and the electric motor produces 15kW and has starting torque of 160Nm.Mercedes-Benz claims the major advantages of the lithium-ion batteries over conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density, greater electrical efficiency, compact dimensions and a low battery weight.The S400's boot space remains the same shape and size as that of the S350 donor car.The S-Class range also includes S350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, S350 CDI 4MATIC all-wheel drive; the 4-litre V8 S450 CDI; S350 and S350 4MATIC; the 4.7-litre V8 petrol S450/S450 4MATIC; the S500/S500 4MATIC with 5.5-litre V8s; S600 bi-turbo 5.5-litre V12; and the two AMG versions, the 386kW 6.2-litre V8 S63 AMG and the 450kW 6-litre V12 S65 AMG.Further details of the S-Class range will be revealed next month. 

A hectic 2007 proved to be lucrative for the car industry with a plethora of new cars launched and more than a million sales throughout the year. And there's no indication that it will be slowing down in 2008.AUDI The new A4, to rival the 3 Series and C-Class is expected here about April, while July will see the hot sports wagon, the RS6 Avant and the A3 Cabrio. Extra A5 variants will follow. BMWBMW has a busy year ahead, starting with the 320d and 335i touring this month. The 1 Series Coupe will go on sale around April, followed by the convertible in May-June. But its big one for the year will be the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, arriving between July and September. It comes with three engine variants, all twin-turbo, an in-line six, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 300kW 4.4-litre V8. Pricing is expected to start at just under $100,000. And the X5 scores a new engine in February, with the first variable twin turbo diesel offered in the range. CHRYSLER/JEEPJanuary will be a busy month for Chrysler, with the Sebring Cabrio and Grand Voyager people mover both arriving in Australia. The Jeep Cherokee will also get a total makeover. CITROENBased on the C4 Picasso, but bigger and better equipped, Citroen will introduce the Berlingo van between July and September, with a mainly diesel range. This will make room in the line-up for the new Nemo small van mid-year. The C5 will also get a new V6 diesel engine.FERRARIDeliveries of the exquisite F430 Scuderia, priced at about $550,000, will start mid year. Only about 40 will come to Australia and New Zealand. FIAT The reincarnation of the 1960s Bambino will arrive in March, but Fiat has already sold the first four months' supply. The new Fiat 500 will have three engine choices, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 75kW 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 56kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel. Pricing is expected to start from $22,000. The new Ritmo will join the Fiat 500 in March with pricing from $30,000. FORD One of the biggest launches for the year will be the new Falcon. Ford will release details of the new model in February and it's expected to be followed by an unveiling at the Melbourne motor show in the same month, with the official launch around May.FPV FPV will start the year with a new model, the hot turbo Territory, known as the F6 X model. It's the first non-Falcon model from FPV, with 270kW and 550Nm. The FPV Falcon range will also arrive this year. HOLDEN/CADILLACWith Ford's big year planned, you can't expect Holden to keep quiet. But so far, Holden has only announced it is expecting the VE Sportwagon, due in the first half of the year. GM-Holden is also introducing Cadillac with the first model due late in 2008. HONDA Honda will start the year with the new Accord model, due to be launched in February. The small Jazz is also getting an update after the middle of the year. Details on the new generation will be released closer to the launch. The Accord Euro is also expected to arrive later this year. HYUNDAI No big launches just yet, although an upgraded Sonata is expected mid year. JAGUARJaguar's major release for the year will be the new XF in June, with pricing expected to start from $105,000. It will be available in a V6 diesel, as well as a V6 and V8 petrol. KIAPreviewed at the Sydney motor show last year, Kia will launch its new seven-seater Rondo crossover in February. It is expected to start from as low as the mid-$20,000 mark. LEXUSNew for Lexus will be the LX570 around April or May, followed by the IS-F towards the end of the year. Details still to come. MAZDAThe second-generation Mazda6 will go on sale at the end of February with pricing from less than $30,000. It will be powered by a 2.5-litre, four cylinder engine, with 125kW and 226Nm.MERCEDES-BENZThe first arrival for Mercedes-Benz is expected to be the C 63 AMG in mid March. It will be followed by the S 320CDI, priced at $189,874 and the C-Class wagon, which will carry a $3000 premium over the sedan, coming in just under $60,000. MINIAnother new version of a 1960s cult car is also headed our way, with the Mini Clubman launched in February. The modern successor of the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate won't get into showrooms until March or April. Pricing will start in the mid-$30,000 area. MITSUBISHIMitsubishi will release two turbocharged Lancers this year. The top-level Lancer Evo X GSR will be here in April and sell for about $58,000. The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumps out 200kW and 422Nm. Joining it will be the detuned version in the Ralliart all-wheel drive, at about $40,000. NISSANNissan's first addition for the year will be the all-wheel-drive wagon, the Dualis. Starting at $28,990 and stretching to $35,990, it's powered by a 102kW, 2.0-litre engine. PEUGEOTThe big launch for Peugeot will be the 308 replacing the 307 range, which will start with the 308 hatch in February in both petrol and diesel guises. The touring will follow in June or July, with the 308cc model a prospect for late 2008 or early 2009. PROTONProton has announced the Persona, based on the Gen2 hatch platform, will make its debut at the Melbourne motor show in late February, going on sale in March. It will be priced around the mid-teens. The Gen2 will also get engine updates and minor styling changes. RENAULTThe all-new Laguna will go on sale mid-year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. SAABJune sees the arrival of the Turbo X AWD. SSANGYONGThe South Korean company will go completely diesel in 2008, with no more petrol engines on offer in Australia. SMARTThe new Fortwo arrives in Australia in February. The one-model brand will get both the 52kW and 62kW models, in hatch and cabrio, being bigger than the current models. SUBARUThe star WRX STi comes in February with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, although pricing is still to come. The third generation Forester arrives in March. SUZUKIFebruary's proving to be a busy month, with Suzuki also launching its Grand Vitara diesel. TOYOTAAfter a big year in 2007, Toyota is expecting a quiet year, with only the TRD Hilux due to be launched in April-June. VOLKSWAGENVolkswagen will kick off the year with the SUV, the Touareg R50, to be released in April. It's powered by a 258kW V10 TDI engine. The Tiguan also arrives about October.  VOLVOThe recently launched XC70 arrives in showrooms this month, joined by the C30 diesel also in January. It's priced at $43,950. A base model C30 will also enter the line-up, at $34,450. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engined V70 will arrive in March.