2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class First Drive

Mercedes says the typical buyer of the completely redesigned 2007 S-Class pulls down around $300,000 a year. With a base price of just over $86,000 and with loaded models selling for six figures, you would think sightings of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class would be about as rare as seeing Paris Hilton in the camping aisle at Wal-Mart. That annual income level is surprising, considering that in places like Southern California you have to weave through a bevy of them at every valet stand to get to the front door, or find yourself following a school of them down the freeway to work. In Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York City, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is ubiquitous, the symbolic vehicle of the working-class rich, a car most executives have, or long to have, parked in their reserved space for all to see. Across the rest of the country, it isn’t that way. The S-Class is something of a special breed, as we confirmed after a couple of days behind the wheel of the completely redesigned 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550. Few cars possess the style, luxury and performance of the S-Class, the leader in its segment since its introduction in 1952. This ninth-generation version successfully carries on the prestigious flagship’s lineage despite its controversial styling, a new design that you will either love or hate. Flaunting fresh sheetmetal with bulging fender flares, the 2007 S-Class appears muscular and solid, yet on the road it glides across the pavement and handles turns with the grace of a ballerina. Combine this athleticism with the best-in-class luxury appointments and the latest high-tech gadgetry, like Brake Assist Plus, Distronic Plus and Pre-Safe, then throw in Night View Assist and a new, more powerful but equally efficient V8, and you’ve got a super-luxury sedan that is simply unbeatable in its segment. We’re talking about a complete package here: luxury, style, performance and enough whiz-bang gadgets to get every IT tech within 20 miles drooling.

Model Mix

Model Mix Whether you’re a VP, CEO or the owner of your own company, Mercedes has a 2007 S-Class to fit your budget, ranging from the S550 to the S600 or the S65 AMG. Mercedes-Benz will offer three versions of the redesigned 2007 S-Class, with the S550 model the first to hit dealer lots in February of 2006. The S550 is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 linked to a seven-speed transmission, and starts at a base price of $86,175 (including a $775 destination fee). But with a full load of options, the new S550 can easily run into the six figures. As expected of a car in this price range, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is loaded with standard features, including 14-way adjustable front seats, burl walnut interior trim, a navigation system, and a six-disc CD changer connected to a 600-watt, 14-speaker Harmon/Kardon surround sound system. This audio system is iPod compatible and can also use a flash card to play your list of favorites. A long list of options includes infrared Night View Assist, active suspension, Keyless-Go locking and ignition, Park Assist, and 4Matic full-time all-wheel-drive. Comfort upgrades include active ventilated front and rear seats, Dynamic Multi-Contour seating with a massage feature, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, power rear side window blinds, and rear dual-zone climate control. Other options include a Panoramic sunroof, Distronic Plus radar-based adaptive cruise control, Brake Assist Plus, a dynamic rear-view monitor, an AMG Sport Package, and 19-inch multi-spoke wheels. In April of 2006, Mercedes will introduce the S600 model, powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 510 horsepower. The S600 will come fully loaded with all the standard and optional features found on the S550, but at a price just over the $140,000 mark. Those with unlimited disposable income and a penchant for speed will want to wait for the S65 AMG and its 6.0-liter V12 with 604 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft. of torque. The S65 AMG goes on sale in July of 2006, and pricing is not yet available. But you just know it’s gonna cost a big pile of cash.

Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and Bolts Mercedes bumps the S550’s power output of by an additional 80 horsepower, its V8 maxing out at 382 horsepower. The S600 and S65 AMG get 510 and 604 respective horsepower from their twin turbocharged V12 engines. Increased horsepower is the big news for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550. Its 5.5-liter V8 engine now produces 382 horsepower, 80 more than the outgoing model, and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, with 75 percent of that thrust available at just 1,000 rpm. Despite all the additional horsepower, Mercedes maintains the previous S500’s fuel economy numbers of 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, quite an achievement. All that power is linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear or all four wheels, and shift buttons are mounted on the back of the steering wheel spokes for manual shifting when navigating back roads at an enthusiastic pace. The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 rides on standard 18-inch, nine-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with 225/45R18 all-season tires connected to an Airmatic four-wheel independent suspension and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering. Slowing the S550 are 13.8-in. front discs with four-piston calipers and 12.6-in. rear discs with a single floating piston. ABS is standard for short distance emergency stops and both the traction and stability control systems assist the driver with keeping control of the car. Also included as standard equipment is Brake Assist with Electronic Brake Proportioning. The upcoming 2007 Mercedes-Benz S600 will include all of the standard technologies the S550 has to offer, but it will be powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 making 510 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. The Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is astoundingly powerful, thanks to its 604 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft of torque from a twin turbo, 6.0-liter, hand-built V12 engine. All of that power and torque is delivered to 20-inch rear wheels through a specially calibrated five-speed automatic transmission. From its two-piece brake rotors with eight-piston calipers and high-performance suspension upgrades to its fully appointed leather interior including AMG-specific performance seats, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is the epitome of a luxury sports sedan.

Design

Design The all-new 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is all about presence. Flared fenders give the new S-Class a more muscular appearance while shades of Maybach accent the rear. Beginning with the first Mercedes S-Class in 1952, this biggest and best Benz has exuded an air of class and distinction. The new ninth-generation S-Class carries on that tradition – though the styling of the 2007 edition is more controversial than previous models. The first things that stand out on the new 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are the flared fenders, which give the car a wider and more muscular look while bringing elements of the ultra-exclusive Maybach sedan to the rear. The new S-Class might look substantially broader, but it’s only one-inch wider than the outgoing model. Decklid detailing at the C-pillar borrows from the now infamous Chris Bangle school of design (see BMW 7 Series), but is considerably softened and actually flows with the horizontal body lines that run from the headlights to the rear of the car. That same character line wraps around the taillights and a chrome trim accent helps to visually reduce the thickness of the S550’s rear end. The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is two inches longer overall and the wheelbase is stretched by three-inches over the old model – with two inches of that going to increased legroom for the rear passengers. At the front of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the wide fender flares don’t work as well with the design. The front fender line is right off a Mazda RX-8 and looks awkward on a car of this size and stature. The headlights and lower fog lamps have an edgier design and now slope inward to the center of the car, but the grille hasn’t changed much from the previous model – though it does appear to sit with a more vertical attitude to give the front end a more prestigious appearance. Inside the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550, occupants are surrounded by luxurious leather and warm burl wood accents. Matching metal switches are used throughout, from the window and seat controls to the climate control system and COMAND knob. The S550’s interior theme is thoughtful simplicity, seen in the center console lid that hinges from either side and also the slick integration of the Night View Assist screen with the speedometer. Mercedes even includes diffusers that keep air from blowing directly on occupants and causing discomfort. In our opinion, the only interior design flaw was cupholder placement that blocks the access door for the CD changer, but with six-disc capability, owners won’t find this to be a big drawback. The interior of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is well executed, and we particularly appreciated the ability to easily use the controls with little instruction. Even though the new 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550’s exterior design can’t hold a candle to the svelte appearance of the CLS-Class, Mercedes will have no problem selling the new S-Class. Its distinctive design stands out in a crowded parking lot and those willing to shell out $86,000 and up for a flagship Benz want to be noticed. Controversial or not, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 makes a strong styling statement that cannot be ignored, and the cabin is a work of art.

Safety and Technology

Safety and Technology From updated and improved existing technology like PreSafe and Brake Assist to the all-new Night View Assist and radar-based Distronic Plus cruise control, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a technological . Few, if any, cars can match the safety and technology that Mercedes-Benz stuffs into its S-Class sedan. For 2007, the German automaker has once again raised the bar with features that not only make driving the 2007 S-Class safer, but also enhance the driving experience. Perhaps the biggest advancement is the use of radar-based technology that replaces the ultra-sonic technology of the previous model, and which is utilized in conjunction with several ground-breaking features in the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Additionally, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is equipped with a new version of the company’s Pre-Safe system that, in combination with the optional Distronic Plus system, will automatically increase braking to try and avoid a collision. If the Pre-Safe system is activated, it tightens the seatbelts to remove slack in the restraints and moves the front passenger’s seat to a safer position. (Pre-Safe will also adjust the optional rear power seats if necessary.) For 2007, Pre-Safe can also close the side windows and the sunroof in the event of a spin or rollover accident, and can inflate the chambers of the optional multi-contour, drive-dynamic seats to keep occupants centered and provide additional support before impact. Next on the list for safety technology is the addition of Brake Assist Plus (BAS Plus). Brake assist has been available on all Mercedes models since the late 1990s, applying full braking power when it senses a panic stop. This new BAS Plus system uses short- and long-range radar-based technology to continuously measure and monitor the distance between the S-Class and leading traffic, sounding a warning if the closing speed or distance between vehicles becomes too rapid or close. BAS Plus automatically applies additional braking, once the driver has initially hit the brakes, to aid in avoiding a collision. Note that should an inattentive driver hit the brakes too late, a collision is still possible. In short, BAS Plus does what the human brain can’t. It calculates closing speed and applies the braking force needed to make the S-Class stop or, at the very least, reduce the impact speed. In a controlled demonstration of BAS Plus that simulated real-world situations, Mercedes asked reporters to drive toward a stationary object (in this case, a foam square) at 35 mph and wait for the system to sound a loud beep to alert the need for braking. To experience the BAS Plus system, we were asked to respond to this alert with less braking than would normally be necessary. In response to our laggard braking, the BAS Plus engaged, as did the Pre-Safe system. The Mercedes S550’s seatbelts tightened, the seats moved into a safer position, and we could feel BAS Plus taking over control of the brakes. According to Mercedes, stopping distance in this situation was improved by three feet with the BAS Plus and impact speed was decreased by 2 mph. But the real significance of BAS Plus was realized during a similar test with a moving object. For this test, Mercedes attached a vehicle’s rear fascia to a pole hanging from a moving vehicle. Reporters were asked to follow the lead car and, as it made a panic stop, apply less than sufficient braking at the pedal. Automatically, BAS Plus applied the necessary additional braking – even when we backed off the brakes and then re-applied them. The result was an astonishing 69-foot shorter stopping distance with the BAS Plus and impact speed was decreased by 15 mph. The results definitely show the effectiveness of the system in reducing damage and possible injury. One system we’re not completely sold on is Distronic Plus, a sophisticated cruise control system that uses long- and short-range radar to maintain a set distance between the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the vehicle ahead of it by accelerating and braking as deemed necessary by the system. Distronic Plus can only apply up to 40 percent of braking capacity when the car being followed performs a panic stop or sudden deceleration. In such cases, the driver is warned of high closing speeds by a loud beep and must take over the braking in a panic stop scenario. Once the driver activates the brake pedal, BAS Plus will step in and aid with braking if needed. During the demonstration of this system on a closed circuit track, Distronic Plus showed several shortcomings. In tight corners, the system will lose sight of the lead vehicle. It also gets confused when the lead vehicle changes lanes or tops a hill. When these situations occur, Distronic Plus alerts the driver that the system has disengaged by sounding a beep. At that point, the driver must re-activate the system by tipping a lever on the left side of the steering wheel once the lead vehicle is back in range. Distronic Plus also goes into a passive mode when the car comes to a complete stop. To re-engage, the driver must press the accelerator to tell the system to again follow the lead vehicle. Using the system on the highway portion of our drive, other distressing Distronic situations arose. Because Distronic Plus operates at a set following distance, when the vehicle ahead changes lanes, the system locks onto the next vehicle ahead and accelerates to maintain the pre-set spacing. Should the driver choose an interval large enough to allow other cars to enter the lane ahead, Distronic Plus slows the S550 with each car that cuts in front. This constant accelerating and slowing can quickly get annoying, and is especially tiresome in heavy traffic. On the flipside, in the right environment – such as slow freeway traffic or long, straight highway cruising in light traffic – the Distronic Plus system can make the drive more relaxing once you become comfortable and familiar with its capabilities. One area where Mercedes-Benz has outdone itself is with its Night View Assist system. Night View Assist uses infrared technology to project an image on a screen for a clearer view down a dark road. Unlike the thermal-sensing technology used by Cadillac in the old DeVille, the Mercedes system shows amazing detail and is a must-have option for people who travel in dimly-lit, rural areas. For our demonstration, a car was parked down the road facing us with the headlights on to simulate a breakdown. Two people were moving around the outside of the disabled car in total darkness. Without the aid of Night View Assist, we could only see the headlights and some movement around the car. With the flick of a switch, the scene took on the look of a black-and-white photograph with full detail around the car and the people outside of it, as well as objects in the darkness behind them. Night View Assist is a worthwhile investment for anyone who does a lot of night driving – especially on dark country roads where obstacles like deer and other large animals might pose a danger. Yet another amazing feature of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is its Park Assist system, which tracks the distance between the S550 and other objects and alerts the driver through a visual display of colored bars and audible tones when the distance becomes too close. The driver can also watch the rear view camera monitor to judge distance. Where Park Assist amazes is with its ability to actually help park the new S550. For our demonstration we were faced with the task of parallel parking the big Benz in a tight space. To use Park Assist, the driver pulls forward of the desired space, lining up a colored blue line on the in-dash monitor with the parked vehicle’s bumper. Next, the driver turns the steering wheel to align a set of markers on the screen that represent the S550’s projected tire path relative to the curb. The driver then begins backing as the Park Assist system monitors bumper distances and once a second set of “goal” lines is perfectly meshed with the tire path projections, the S550 is perfectly placed in the space between the two vehicles. (How I wish this technology existed 28 years ago when I failed the parallel parking portion of my driving test.) The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is also equipped with the safety equipment that has become standard on many vehicles today, such as ABS with electronic brake proportioning, traction control, a stability control system, and tire pressure monitoring. Dual-stage front airbags, four side-impact airbags, and two side-curtain airbags are also standard. To make the new S-Class, and all of its vehicles, safer in the future, Mercedes is exploring the viability of safety technologies, including door panels that would move in toward the occupants before a side-impact crash to help keep occupants further away from the initial point of impact. Future S-Class occupants might also be able to enter information such as height, weight and gender to allow the safety systems to customize seat positioning, seatbelt tensioning levels, and airbag inflation rates.

Driving Impressions

Driving Impressions The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 drives like a car half its size thanks to plenty of available torque at low revs and its speed-sensitive power steering. Sliding into the spacious cabin and leather seats of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550, you immediately appreciate its utter sumptuousness, from the wood and metal interior trim to the simple clean design of the dash and console. Using the door-mounted controls, the 14-way adjustable seats can be manipulated to fit most any body type and offer three memory positions. Choose the upgrade seat option and get six-way ventilation, active bolstering which moves inward to hold you in the seat while cornering, and your own personal built-in masseuse with four settings to fit your mood. All gauges are easy to read and the S550’s COMAND system is fairly intuitive. Yes, you read that correctly. Unlike BMW’s similar iDrive setup, Mercedes has simplified the COMAND system by limiting choices and by refraining from burying basic functions deep within the system. A simple push or pull on the aluminum knob located on the center console quickly delivers you to the navigation, audio, and climate settings. And if you need to access a previous menu, there’s a handy return button. Place your foot on the brake, hit the start button, and the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 springs to life with little drama. The gear selector is a stalk on the steering column rather than a shifter on the console, operated using simple motions to select Park, Reverse, or Drive. Once underway, the initial impression is one of a big car that doesn’t feel heavy due to the speed-sensitive power steering and the availability of 75 percent of the engine’s torque at a low 1,000 rpm. Accelerate through the gears, and you hardly notice the shifts from the seven-speed automatic transmission. The 383-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 supplies enough power to make the Mercedes-Benz S550 get up and go, but isn’t quite stout enough to bury you in the well-appointed leather seats – as we noted when on a freeway on-ramp and a Chrysler 300C Hemi pulled away from us, much to our displeasure. However, the Mercedes-Benz S550 does move swiftly across the asphalt with little wind or road noise and leaves you with the feeling that it’s gliding on a cushion of air. With such a supple ride quality, we expected the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550’s handling to suffer. But when we climbed from the floor of the Arizona desert to higher elevations on twisting mountain roads, the steering proved precise with quick turn-in and very little body roll. Though the S550 is no sports car, it doesn’t disappoint when navigating winding roads and high-speed turns in a spirited manner. Should you encounter the need for braking, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 wears the proper equipment to pull this 4,270-pound behemoth to a stop in mere seconds. During freeway, city, and two-lane driving, the S550’s brakes deliver the necessary information to the driver without feeling mushy or overboosted. And since this is a hydraulic rather than electronic system, the new S550’s pedal is much easier to modulate than that in the E- or SL-Class models. Overall, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 delivers a feeling of safety and security combined with the driving dynamics you expect in a car of this stature. With all of the technology, comfort, luxury and performance Mercedes has incorporated into the 2007 S550, there is no doubt that this car represents the new super-luxury benchmark.

FAQ

FAQ Middle-aged men with robust incomes will find the redesigned COMAND system in the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class much easier to use. Who is the primary buyer of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550? Mercedes-Benz marketers don’t expect the demographics for the new S-Class to change, meaning that the average buyer is male, 55 years of age, and possesses a household income totaling around $300,000 a year. Is the COMAND system in the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 easier to use than the iDrive system in a BMW? Miraculously, the answer is yes. Mercedes has refined and simplified the BMW system and produced a COMAND controller that is much more intuitive. A limited selection of main menus and simple graphics make learning the new Mercedes-Benz COMAND system easy. What makes the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 worth $86,000? Mercedes-Benz uses the S-Class to introduce the latest safety and luxury technologies to the market. The S550 is built with the highest quality materials, the latest safety advancements, and offers the buyer unsurpassed luxury and technology in this price range.

Specifications

Specifications The main competitors for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class include the Audi A8, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ Series, Lexus LS 460, Maserati Quattroporte, and Volkswagen Phaeton. Test Vehicle: 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 Price of Test Vehicle: $86,175 (including $775 destination charge) Engine Size and Type: 5.5-liter V8 Engine Horsepower: 382 at 6,000 rpm Engine Torque: 391 lb.-ft. at 2,800-4,000 rpm Transmission: Seven-speed automatic with manual shift control Curb weight, lbs.: 4,270 EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 16/24 mpg Length: 205.0 inches Width: 83.3 inches Wheelbase: 124.5 inches Height: 58.0 inches Leg room (front/rear): 41.9/42.3 inches Head room (front/rear): 37.8/38.5 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Five Max. Cargo Volume: 19.8 cubic feet Competitors: Audi A8, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ Series, Lexus LS 460, Maserati Quattroporte, Volkswagen Phaeton

Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz North America and Ron Perry