W221 S-Class

In early 2011 Mercedes finally overhauled or revised almost every engine in the W211, bringing with it Australia’s first Euro 6-compliant emissions vehicle, the 190kW/620Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel-powered S350 BlueTec fitted with a urea-based AdBlue filtering system.

The volume selling S350 V6 petrol gained an all-new 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre unit capable of returning just 9.0L/100km and 210g/km of CO2 emissions.

All-new direct-injection V8s came in the form of the S500’s 4.7-litre biturbo BlueEfficiency engine delivering 320kW and 700Nm, while the revised S63 AMG dropped the 6.2-litre V8 for a 5.5-litre biturbo unit totalling 400kW and 800Nm – a massive leap in outputs more than matched by a 20 per cent-plus plummet in consumption and emissions.

The latter also gained AMG’s Speedshift MCT (Multi-Clutch Technology) – a seven-speed transmission with three driving modes (including an Eco function to save fuel) and a compact wet start-up clutch – as well as idle-stop/start tech – a first for the S-class.

The S600 received slightly more power (380kW) and torque (830Nm), while its AMG equivalent – the S65 – still topped the performance table with 463kW and 1000Nm. Both of these V12s are mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox.

Among other items for 2011 were new leather and audio options, while Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist were added as standard to up the S-class’ safety quotient.