? Impressive looks. Spacious and luxurious. State-of-the art engines and performance. One of the safest cars around
? Nothing apart from the expense.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloons have a tradition of market leading performance, luxury and safety stretching back to the mid 50s. The world's best-selling high luxury large saloon the S-Class is especially notable for its many ground-breaking safety features over the years, a tradition which continues to this day. The first airbag and electronic stability control are just two of the S Class innovations over the years. Offered with V6, V8, V12, petrol and diesel powertrains as of 2007 there is only a saloon version, although coupes have been made in the past. The Mercedes-Benz CL is the coup? alternative of the S-class. Historically, the S-Class is also famous because it has been made without any restrictions on cost and in turn has been marketed as a vehicle engineered like no other car in the world. Latest models do continue to offer an exceptional quality even by Mercedes standards ? including high performance AMG sports models - powerful yet quiet engines, class leading suspension and safety just some of their attractive qualities. The name S-Class derives from Sonderklasse, German for Special class. The term was used colloquially for many years in recognition of the exceptional features of the range but was only officially applied in 1973 with the launch of the S-Class W116 model.
Mercedes-Benz won two category prizes at the 2007 What Car? Car of the Year Awards. The S 320 CDI won the Luxury Car category. The previous winner was the S 500 and 2007 was the seventh time in eight years the S-Class has won this award. Running costs were one of the many factors, mpg averaging at 34, as was the all over high production values of this vehicle. Mercedes also scooped the What Car safety award. Its PRE-SAFE feature which is now standard on six model ranges, including the S Class, was a major reason for the award. Pre Safe detects potential accidents via sensors and can protect occupants by electronically pre-tensioning the seat belts as well as other measures such as moving electric seats to a more upright position and closing windows.
Centre armrests, front and rear ? with storage
Cockpit Management and Navigation Display (COMAND)
With 8-inch colour display, radio, CD/DVD player, PCMCIA slot, MP3 capability and HDD navigation
Cup holders (2) ? rear
Electric windows (4) ? with Pre-Safe
Footwell lighting ? front and rear
Glasses storage
Illuminated vanity mirrors in rear
Load-securing rings in boot
Lumbar support, electrically adjustable, in front seat backrests
Luxury automatic climate control ? two-zone, Includes digital display
Map pockets on front seat backrests
Multi-function steering wheel with trip computer
Outside temperature gauge
Parcel nets in boot and front passenger footwell
Service indicator ?ASSYST?
Steering column ? electrically adjustable with Easy-Entry function
Storage compartment in rear seat backrest
Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
Front seats ? electrically adjustable
Front passenger seat ? adjustable from driver?s seat
Front seats ? heated
Front passenger seat ? electrically adjustable from rear
Front seats ? comfort ventilated
Front seats ? dynamic multi-contour front seats with massage
Rear seats ? electrically adjustable outer rear seats, heated, comfort ventilated, multi-contour rear seats with massage, Pre-Safe
Electric rear roller blind
CD/DVD changer
Infrared-refl ective, noise-insulating glass
Memories for front seats, door mirrors and steering column
Ambient lighting
Comfort front headrests / rear outer headrests
Telephone pre-wiring. hands-free facility and telephone aerial
Surround sound system ? harman/kardon
14 high-performance speakers and additional amplifiers
Garage door opener
TV tuner ? digital and analogue