Slick, advanced and highly refined, the redesigned
S-Class is so sophisticated, the owner's manual is more than 660 pages. Despite its complexity, the S-Class can be conquered with a bit of concentration. What you have then is one of the most pampering, rewarding drives ever.
The S-Class defines the luxury
large sedan segment, so much so that it's been made a movie star in The Devil Wears Prada. The devil (played by Meryl Streep) MAY wear high-end Italian fashions, but dashes from business meeting to glamorous events in a German-made S500 in New York City and Paris. NatŸrlich!
The devil isn't the only one. In the first 10 months of 2006, more than 70,000 S-Classes were delivered, a company record. The S-Class lineup now encompasses two diesel engines, six regular-gasoline models and two body variants, along with the new 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.
A dozen innovations are part of the reason why luxury buyers are embracing the S-Class.
They include:
The Pre-Safe occupant protection system.
If a skid is detected, the system tightens front seatbelts and raises the front passenger seatback. If the car has the optional multicontour seats, the air cushions are inflated to help brace the occupant. If the car has the optional sunroof, it is closed, too, by the system.
Optional Brake Assist Plus.
It uses radar to track any vehicles ahead of the car and warns the driver if the S-Class gets too close to the vehicle ahead or is approaching it too quickly. The brakes are applied, minimizing rear-end collisions. Another intriguing system is the Pre-Safe Brake system, using automatic partial braking Ñ even if the driver isn't paying attention to warnings.
An adaptive cruise control system named Distronic Plus.
It uses radar and the brakes to keep the S550 a set distance from the vehicle ahead.
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A night vision system utilizing infrared technology.
The upgraded COMAND system, a "joystick" knob designed to fit beneath the driver's right hand and through which the driver controls the radio, CD/DVD changer, navigation system, and more without taking his or her eyes off the road. The system also can take voice commands.
There is much, much more technology aboard the S-Class to talk about, but here are some particulars about our tester, the S550. With a retail price of $85,400, it is the base model of the S-Class lineup.
The S600 costs $139,900, and the high-performance turbocharged S65 starts at $181,500. All are rear-wheel drive.
Now 2 inches longer with a 3-inch-longer wheelbase, the S550 is powered by a newly engineered powerplant, a 5.5-liter V-8 that develops
382 horsepower and 391 lbs.-ft of torque. M-B engineers say the
4,465-pound sedan goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, with a limited top speed of 130 mph.
Cruising is effortless, enhanced by a 7-speed automatic transmission with shift buttons mounted on the steering wheel. Sensors adjust the shift points to the driver's driving style. A system that limits body roll when cornering and an Airmatic suspension that automatically adjusts for firmness and levels the load also create a serene driving experience.
My Zen moment in the S550 came from the optional multicontour seats with a massage function ($1,800). Not only do the seats have air chambers that cushion every part of what touches the seats, but the massage modes range from slow and gentle, to slow and vigorous to fast and gentle to fast and vigorous.
My backside has never had it so good.
Other options on our S550 tester: dynamic rear view monitor ($750);
8-way power rear seats ($1,120); Distronic Plus ($2,850); wood/leather steering wheel ($550); power rear side window sun blinds ($700); panorama sunroof ($1,000); Active Body Control system ($3,900); Sirius satellite radio with a 6-month subscription ($500); 4-zone climate control ($1,200); Keyless Go/transponder ($1,100); heated and ventilated front seats/electronic trunk closer ($1,250). With a destination charge of $775 and a gas guzzler tax of $1,000, the grand total came to $103,895.
High priced? Yes. World class? Again, yes.
Even the devil could recognize that.
Amy Rollins is Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-6901 or arollins@coxohio.com.
