First look: Redesigned S-class breaks cover

MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed its successor for what’s traditionally touted as the best car in the world, with pictures and details of the 2006 S-class emerging ahead of its public debut at the September Frankfurt motor show.

Due on sale here in May next year, Mercedes claims the redesigned W221 S-class sedan will continue to represent the pinnacle of automotive engineering by bring no fewer than a dozen new technologies into series production.

Its newest luxury sedan flagship follows five decades of S cars from Mercedes, and replaces the current S-class sedan - 485,000 examples of which have been sold globally since 1998, making it the most popular large luxury sedan in many markets, including Australia.

Initially only the V8-powered S500 will be available here, followed within months by the entry-level S350 six-cylinder variant and, later, the V12-powered S600.

A turbo-diesel S320 CDI is also slated for European release in early 2006, while a replacement for the AMG-tuned S55K is yet to be announced.

The S350 employs the same 200kW 3.5-litre DOHC V6 that powers SLK350, E350 and the forthcoming C350 and CLK350, replacing the 180kW 3.7-litre SOHC unit in the current S350.

Meantime, the new S500 is powered by a new-generation 5.0-litre V8 offering 285kW and a big 530Nm of torque from just 2800rpm. Replacing the current S500’s 225kW unit, the new V8 shunts the new S500 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.4 seconds.

Mercedes’ top-shelf S600 also receives extra performance, with peak increased from 368kW to 380kW, while peak torque also increases, by almost four per cent, to an earth-rotating 830Nm.

Both V6 and V8 version of the new S will be equipped as standard with Benz’s new seven-speed 7G-Tronic auto, which is operated via Direct Select, comprising a 7 Series-style steering column stalk on the right-hand side, which dispenses with a traditional gear shifter.

Measuring 5076mm in standard trim and 5206mm in long-wheel base “L” guise, the new S-class is 33mm and 43mm than the model(s) it replaces respectively. Similarly, new wheelbases of 3035mm and 3165mm are 70mm and 80mm longer.

At 1871mm, it’s also 16mm wider than before, as well as 29mm higher at 1473mm, resulting in a claimed 39mm of extra shoulder and elbow room and 5mm more headroom. Boot capacity increases by 60 litres to 560 litres.

Among the dozen new technologies offered is Brake Assist Plus, which uses radar to calculate and make available the optimum braking assistance required to avoid a collision with vehicles travelling in front. It’s linked to a second-generation version of the accident-preparing Pre-Safe function.

Brake Assist Plus will be available in conjunction with Distronic Plus, an improved version of Benz’s proximity control system which now operates at any speed up to 200km/h and also comprises two infra-red lights that increase low-beam night vision to 150 metres by displaying obstacles in the instrument cluster.

Along with a redesigned, more user-friendly version of the Comand cockpit management system, there’s Active Body Control, Adaptive Brake (and adaptive brake lights), improved Airmatic air suspension, a reversing camera, electronic park brake and new seats with a massage function, air suspension and 16-way power adjustment as standard.