Mercedes-Benz released images and details of the next-generation S-Class on Monday. Two of the engines available at launch this fall will be a new 382-hp V8 in the S500 and a V12 producing 512 hp in the S600. The S-Class will also be available with the world's first 7-speed automatic transmission, as well as advanced safety features like Brake Assist PLUS and Distronic PLUS that together monitor vehicle distance and can actively apply brake pressure in potentially dangerous situations. More pictures at the link.
There’s also an infrared night-vision system that can scan the road ahead and display a high-res B&W image in the instrument cluster. Techno-gadgets aside, the new design of the S-Class is certainly evolutionary with fender creases being perhaps the largest departure from the smooth design of the current S-Class. Though we’re sure there’ll be debate on the new design, we’d say Mercedes has maintained the identity of the S-Class while offering customers a design that deserves to be called fresh. We’re somewhat relieved, however, that the schnoz adorning the front of the SLR McLaren and SLK didn’t end up on the leading edge of Mercedes-Benz’s most stately sedan. GermanCarFans.com has the press release.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
vin @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Not impressed.
The fender flares (especially the rear ones) look tacked. The front flares look a little like the Mazda RX-8.
The trunk is very similar to the BMW 7 Series (as are the trunks of the Toyota Avalon and upcoming Camry).
A second look confirms that the interior is also pretty derivative of the 7 Series--especially the center stack and console.
Perhaps the AMG models will be a little better looking, but then again, maybe not.
J Zeke @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
It is fresh, but is it good? While it is evolutionary -- and certainly still an S -- it doesnt have the static elegance of previous generations. However, if the materials, finish and quality are back up to earlier levels, than the design could be forgiven its shortcomings.
avixe @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
The interior looks astonishingly close to the 7-series. Also, presumable there's some sort of iDrive or MMI-ish device in there; are there any details on it? (The press release is a bit vague, though storing nav data on a hard drive is a kind of neat idea)
Sid Ghosh @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
The dash is ugly. The screen has all the charm of a 80s color TV.
Mike @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
If you look at the front of the armrest, under what looks to be some kind of pop-up cover, there is a silver iDrive/MMI style knob. But yeah, the inside looks very 7 series, even if they tried to hide it by blending the hump on the dash for the screen into the hump for the speedo/tach/etc.
Pavneet @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Grotesque is a word that comes to mind.
Interior double binnacle by BMW. Wheel bulges by Cadillac CTS. Rear deck by Bangle.
The lines could be off any low priced luxo-pretender.
Where oh where is Bruno Scacco who drew the 190E and the W140 S-Class?
Garris @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
It certainly looks 7-series inspired, as everyone has said. But what, in general, is happening to German styling? MB, BMW, VW all have recently gone, or are going off in, quite bizarre directions. The reasons are obvious (other makers are stealing all their traditional design cues, so they have to do something different), but I can't say many of the new designs (save for the CLS class, the recent 3-series, and the current A8) inspire any lust in me for these cars at all.
Some of the Japanese designs right now are quite nice, but many, in my mind, are just variations of German design from their high point of the late 90's. Meanwhile, the U.S. makers (save some Chrysler models) seem to ignoring design altogether (ex, the 500) and churning out some bland stuff.
What an odd time in the history of auto design.
- Garris
j panozzo @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
I see where Mercedes is using design ideas from its Chrysler twin. This model looks like an updated Dodge Intrepid with the Mercedes grill.
The Doctor @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
It's a Ssang-yong with a satnav screen from a Citroen C5. Looks like I'll be off the Volkswagen dealer to see the Phaeton...
TL @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
What I hate most about the new S is the steering wheel it looks so cheap, and why did they put a steering wheel mounted gear shifter?
http://automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0507_mercedes_s_class_13.jpg
more pics
http://automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0507_mercedes_benz_s_class/
DPA687 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
The 2007 S-Class has NOT been Bangled! Mercedes borrowed exterior design cues from their own Maybach brand, not the 7-series. Furthermore, this is probably the best execution of the "separate fender" treatment I've seen to date; much more fluid and elegant than the unholy protrusion that is the Bange-butt.
Craig Weems @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
When you are taking a test and need an answer you don't look at the paper of the class dummy (7 series) but instead strain to see the answers of the top of the class (A8). While cheating in school is wrong, cheating in the world of automotive design is de rigueur. MB is making history: before they may not have always designed beauties but they managed to stay far away from ugly. Not any more.
CoolBeans @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Wow, how horrible.
The quarter panels do look like they came off an RX8.
Is MB going for the world's ugliest interior? What is with the lack of separation from the instrument gauges and monitor.
What are they doing? They are killing the awesome looking Gwagon in favor of something that looks like a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and now this... digging their own grave.
The CLS is the only thing they make now that catches my attention.
Stan @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
This is highly derivative and unoriginal. First MB has quality issues and now uninspired designs. What happened? They should have made the CLS and new S. Anyone notice the analog clock in the dash?
G. Snyder @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
#6 - put the pipe down. There is not a single hint of CTS styling, or any other current Caddilac stylling for that matter, anywhere on this car. The Caddy's have sharp creases and angles.
I agree with the statement about the interior looking like the 7 series. It does seem a little derivitive - especisally the arm rest controls. The center stack seems better executed (but then again, these are just pictures, and just a couple at that. I will not pretend that I am able to make comparisons to '80s TV sets off of 2 distant pictures). The exterior, however, is clearly following the current Mercedes design themes. Take a look at the new M class or the R class prototype. The C pilar and trunk clearly have ties, as someone pointed out, to the Maybach. My point is it is not some wild, floundering gasp for styling-air - there is a clear progression from recent Merc designs (exterior anyway).
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Golf Clap for Audi, they are now the official winners of the Luxo Euro Sedan category:
#11, you are correct.
How anyone would want this over an A8L, just boggles the mind!
rob rudorf @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
I love it. Maybe I'll sell my house and get a couple 3 of these. Remember you can't drive a house, you can always sleep in your car.
Joel A @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Huh. Appearance-wise, it's so-so. I'll be curious to see if they've "simplified" the i-Drive.
MB Man @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
I have seen everyone negative remarks on the design and the interior style. The vehicle is actually designed to be a derivative of the Maybach and in fact, the controller in the center is pretty cool and easy to use, unlike the BMW version. I have been in a test vehicle and I must say that I am impressed with this vehicle. Mercedes went all out and came out with a hell of a car. So to those who are critical about this car, I say you hit the dealership when it comes out and see for yourself.
sirAQUAMAN64 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Well, won't take long to tell I'm not a huge fan of it either. Looks like a stretched version of the current one with defined wheel-wells, a huge hood and dinky trunk, casting a silhouette very similar to the Maybach. I thought they were supposed to correct the shortcomings of the current gen? When I saw the spy photos I thought the passenger compartment looked smaller and swoopier, but can now see the car is so huge that it's been stretched more, which is fine. And there are some good elements too - the roof, the front's been cleaned up, etc.
But the icing on the cake is what appears to be an interior design lifted straight from BMW. I swore when I had a look that they mistakenly placed a BMW interior into the Benz article until I saw the star on the steering wheel. From the type of non-glossy wood to the boxy/flat-ness of the dash to how it comes out at you in the centre with the vents and push out compartments, to where the screen is and what looks like an iDrive controler between the seats. Unreal.
I swear the Volkswagen Phaeton is more of what a traditional big Benz should be than what the new Benzes are.