First look: Mercedes S adds sizzle

MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed first pictures of its updated S-class flagship, first versions of which will not arrive here until February, 2003.

The boosts to S-class come at an important moment, with the BMW 7 Series already on sale here and a new generation Jaguar XJ and Audi A8 scheduled for 2003.

The new S-class range will debut at the Paris motor show next month with a de-tuned twin-turbo 368kW V12 engine from the new Maybach.

The world's torquiest production car engine is said to propel the facelifted S600 to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, while a new supercharged 5.5-litre V8 gives the new S55 AMG about 39 per cent more power and 32 per cent more torque than before.

Replacing the S320, the new S350 model revives a Mercedes model designation not seen for almost three decades. It uses a new 3.7-litre V6 engine that boosts power over the 3.2 by 12.5 per cent to 180kW.

This engine is expected to migrate down through the E-class and other models as well.

The updated local S-class range is likely to continue to include two short-wheelbase (S350 and 430) models alongside three long-wheelbase versions (S430L, S500L, S600L).

There are some important changes inside as well with the Pre-Safe system debuting. This employs sensors in the ESP and Brake Assist systems to determine if a collision is imminent. These sensors send signals to tension the driver's and front passenger's seatbelts, adjust the front passenger's and rear passengers' seats to the optimum position and close the sunroof.

There's also new front seats and the option of a drive-dynamic multi-contour seat which has air chambers that automatically inflate and deflate, based on data such as steering angle, lateral acceleration and road speed to ensure the driver always has the greatest support.

We have not mentioned outside changes yet and that's because the handsome shape which debuted here in 1999 has been largely left untouched, with changes limited to the headlights and front and rear bumper.

One feature we will not be getting here is the 4Matic four-wheel drive system, which is added to S-class this time round.

* The S-class based CL has also been updated with the 5.0-litre V12 from the Maybach and the supercharged 5.5 goes into the CL. Pre-Safe is also a new CL feature.

The new CL600 and CL 55 AMG will go on sale here in the second quarter of 2003.