2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class First Drive

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

Style, luxury and performance in a car that almost drives itself

Introduction

Mercedes-Benz S-Class - 2007 First Drive: Mercedes says the typical buyer of the completely redesigned 2007 S-Class pulls down around $300,000 a year. With a base price of just over $86,000 and with loaded models selling for six figures, you would think sightings of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class would be about as rare as seeing Paris Hilton in the camping aisle at Wal-Mart. That annual income level is surprising, considering that in places like Southern California you have to weave through a bevy of them at every valet stand to get to the front door, or find yourself following a school of them down the freeway to work. In Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York City, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is ubiquitous, the symbolic vehicle of the working-class rich, a car most executives have, or long to have, parked in their reserved space for all to see.

Across the rest of the country, it isn't that way. The S-Class is something of a special breed, as we confirmed after a couple of days behind the wheel of the completely redesigned 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550. Few cars possess the style, luxury and performance of the S-Class, the leader in its segment since its introduction in 1952. This ninth-generation version successfully carries on the prestigious flagship's lineage despite its controversial styling, a new design that you will either love or hate.

Flaunting fresh sheetmetal with bulging fender flares, the 2007 S-Class appears muscular and solid, yet on the road it glides across the pavement and handles turns with the grace of a ballerina. Combine this athleticism with the best-in-class luxury appointments and the latest high-tech gadgetry, like Brake Assist Plus, Distronic Plus and Pre-Safe, then throw in Night View Assist and a new, more powerful but equally efficient V8, and you've got a super-luxury sedan that is simply unbeatable in its segment. We're talking about a complete package here: luxury, style, performance and enough whiz-bang gadgets to get every IT tech within 20 miles drooling.

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Model Mix

Mercedes-Benz will offer three versions of the redesigned 2007 S-Class, with the S550 model the first to hit dealer lots in February of 2006. The S550 is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 linked to a seven-speed transmission, and starts at a base price of $86,175 (including a $775 destination fee). But with a full load of options, the new S550 can easily run into the six figures.

As expected of a car in this price range, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is loaded with standard features, including 14-way adjustable front seats, burl walnut interior trim, a navigation system, and a six-disc CD changer connected to a 600-watt, 14-speaker Harmon/Kardon surround sound system. This audio system is iPod compatible and can also use a flash card to play your list of favorites.

A long list of options includes infrared Night View Assist, active suspension, Keyless-Go locking and ignition, Park Assist, and 4Matic full-time all-wheel-drive. Comfort upgrades include active ventilated front and rear seats, Dynamic Multi-Contour seating with a massage feature, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, power rear side window blinds, and rear dual-zone climate control. Other options include a Panoramic sunroof, Distronic Plus radar-based adaptive cruise control, Brake Assist Plus, a dynamic rear-view monitor, an AMG Sport Package, and 19-inch multi-spoke wheels.

In April of 2006, Mercedes will introduce the S600 model, powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 510 horsepower. The S600 will come fully loaded with all the standard and optional features found on the S550, but at a price just over the $140,000 mark. Those with unlimited disposable income and a penchant for speed will want to wait for the S65 AMG and its 6.0-liter V12 with 604 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft. of torque. The S65 AMG goes on sale in July of 2006, and pricing is not yet available. But you just know it's gonna cost a big pile of cash.

Nuts and Bolts

Increased horsepower is the big news for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550. Its 5.5-liter V8 engine now produces 382 horsepower, 80 more than the outgoing model, and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, with 75 percent of that thrust available at just 1,000 rpm. Despite all the additional horsepower, Mercedes maintains the previous S500's fuel economy numbers of 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, quite an achievement. All that power is linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear or all four wheels, and shift buttons are mounted on the back of the steering wheel spokes for manual shifting when navigating back roads at an enthusiastic pace.

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 rides on standard 18-inch, nine-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with 225/45R18 all-season tires connected to an Airmatic four-wheel independent suspension and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering. Slowing the S550 are 13.8-in. front discs with four-piston calipers and 12.6-in. rear discs with a single floating piston. ABS is standard for short distance emergency stops and both the traction and stability control systems assist the driver with keeping control of the car. Also included as standard equipment is Brake Assist with Electronic Brake Proportioning.

The upcoming 2007 Mercedes-Benz S600 will include all of the standard technologies the S550 has to offer, but it will be powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 making 510 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. The Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is astoundingly powerful, thanks to its 604 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft of torque from a twin turbo, 6.0-liter, hand-built V12 engine. All of that power and torque is delivered to 20-inch rear wheels through a specially calibrated five-speed automatic transmission. From its two-piece brake rotors with eight-piston calipers and high-performance suspension upgrades to its fully appointed leather interior including AMG-specific performance seats, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is the epitome of a luxury sports sedan.

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