Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz S-Class presentation leaked, debuting in May

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

WorldCarFans was reportedly sent what looks like a dealer presentation on the coming V222 series 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. There have been hints for years as to the kinds of technology the world's best-selling large luxury sedan will contain, and it appears those hints had some foundation. To be shown in Germany on May 15 before a launch window that runs from September to November this year, the evolutionary design will be built of aluminum and steel, using that lighter material for the front end, roof and "detached body parts."

Among the new options buyers will be able to choose are the Rear Seat Package with rear seatbelt airbags and active buckles that extend, a Warmth and Comfort Package with heated seats front and back, heated armrests and side panels, and power rear seats with active ventilation and memory function. There's a chauffeur seating option that comes with 10-way adjustable rear seats, an extendable footrest and folding tables in the front seatbacks.

Blatant technology will be on display via two 12.3-inch screens, one for the dash cluster and one for the COMAND infotainment screen on the instrument panel. The third generation of Nightview Assist Plus will be able to detect animals as well as humans, and the next generation of Surround View will provide high-res views all around the car. A touchpad and a color head-up display will arrive in 2015. It will be the first Mercedes-Benz to utilize LED lighting everywhere, inside and outside the car.

Other premium touches will be available Hot Stone Massage seats with seven massaging programs, a Burmester Reference sound system and an Air Balance Package that filters, and ionizes cabin air and can emit a fragrance through the HVAC system. The S550 will come first, in September, followed by the S550 4Matic and S63 AMG over the next two months. Have a look at the slides in the gallery, it looks like the coming S is going to be a lot of car.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class presentation leaked, debuting in May originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz recalling 5,800 vehicles over potential fires

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Mercedes-Benz

It turns out Ford isn't the only automaker worried about car fire recalls these days. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issuing a recall for potential fires on various 2011 and 2012 model year Mercedes-Benz vehicles, occurring from a fault with a fuel filter flange. The problem stems from an issue in the molding process that can allow the flange to crack, leak gasoline and possibly cause a fire.

Only a small number (5,800) of vehicles are affected by the recall, but it includes a total of eight different models (C300, CL550, CL63 AMG, E350, GLK350, S400 Hybrid, S550 and S63 AMG) across five vehicle lines (C-Class, CL-Class, E-Class, GLK-Class and S-Class). To fix the potentially hazardous problem, dealers will replace the fuel filter as a part of the recall, which goes into effect next month.

For the full list of affected models, check out the official NHTSA recall notice posted after the jump.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz recalling 5,800 vehicles over potential fires

Mercedes-Benz recalling 5,800 vehicles over potential fires originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EXCLUSIVE: Next-gen S-Class to go all-hybrid in U.S., save AMG variants

Chris Paukert — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to an Autoblog source close to the project, Mercedes-Benz will go all-hybrid with its next-generation S-Class lineup in America - with the exception of enthusiast-oriented AMG models. The plutocrat cruiser is expected to roll up in 2012, and it is understood that gas-only S-Class models will be the exclusive preserve of the company's performance arm - the German automaker is not talking about offering both regular and hybrid variants of the same model, at least in the States.

Presently, Daimler only offers a single gasoline-electric variant of its W221 S-Class - the S400 hybrid (the range's price leader at $87,950), and it incorporates a 3.5-liter V6 with a mild hybrid assist system for 295 horsepower and 26 miles-per-gallon on the freeway. Other models in current S-Class lineup all have more cylinders and power, including the 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 of the S550 and the twin-turbo 5.5-liter V12 of the S600. It is not immediately clear if company engineers plan to downsize the internal-combustion side of the next S' powertrain equation as a result of the all gas-electric strategy. While we expect Mercedes will offer a range of CDI diesel models in European market, no such model is apparently planned for the States at this time.

While the Daimler board has yet to sign-off on this plan, it appears to be all but certain. Interestingly, our contact indicates that S400 sales are going swimmingly in the States - particularly among Hollywood's green-minded glitterati, a contingent that our source maintains is abandoning their Priuses at a furious rate now that the model has become "something of a pariah" due to Toyota's recent troubles.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

EXCLUSIVE: Next-gen S-Class to go all-hybrid in U.S., save AMG variants originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class shows off cool tech

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes S Class - Click above to view the video after the jump

Mercedes has a new promotional video for the 2010 S Class that offers peeks at the model range and suite of tech coming on the latest luxury sedan: the S400 Hybrid and its energy monitoring system, S500 (the S550 in the U.S.), S600, Splitview COMAND screen, new headlamps, and LEDs everywhere. Follow the jump to watch the vid and see what Mercedes has in store.

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class shows off cool tech

VIDEO: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class shows off cool tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes Math: S550 + CL550 = CS500?

Chris Shunk — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Mercedes-Benz

Click the image above for more pics of MyCar's CS500

Saudi tuner shops get different requests than the mod-masters in the US. While we may ask for bodyside moldings and a little something under the hood, the Saudis are just as likely to electroplate a precious metal onto their luxury rides. Since luxury vehicles seem to grow on trees in the world's oil capitol, tuner MyCar is challenged with differentiating these high-end vehicles to make them stand out in a crowd.

This time, MyCar went as far as creating an all new Mercedes, the CS500. It's basically a gold S550 with the front end of a CL550, but MyCar thought it unique enough to give it its own name; the CS500. As you can see from the photo above, the CS500 looks good enough to trick the untrained eye into believing it's an all-new vehicle. Actually, the CL550 front end actually makes the S550 look a bit more stylish, if you ask us. Maybe someone in Stuttgart should take note. Thanks for the tip, Hisham!

Gallery: Mercedes CS500

[Source: Gulf4Cars]

Mercedes Math: S550 + CL550 = CS500? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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