Auto Channel

Overview
Mercedes is the world’s oldest automaker. For much of its 120-year history, the S-Class has been its flagship, showcasing technology, performance, and luxury. Mercedes says the S-Class was the first car with anti-lock brakes (in 1978), with a supplemental restraint system that included air bags (1982), with Electronic Stability technology (vehicle dynamics control, 1996), and with PRE-SAFE, a system that automatically prepares vehicle safety features when an accident is imminent (2002). While the various electronic systems may have distinctive technical names such as Distronic, they use advanced sensors, including radar, to warn of dangerous situations, to maintain the distance between your car and the one ahead on the highway, and even to help the driver back into a parallel parking space.

Inside, the S-Class offers a full array of luxury amenities, including front seats with 14-way adjustment and inflatable bolsters that can provide a massage or compensate for cornering forces by inflating the side bolsters. Even the rear seats recline, and the longer wheelbase provides limousine-style legroom for those seated in the second row. A push-and-turn “mouse” style controller provides access to audio, climate, seat, and navigation controls. There’s also a 600-watt, 14-speaker Harmon/Kardon Logic7 audio system with 5.1 surround sound. This system plays music from CD or DVD sources and has a memory card slot for easy playback of digitally recorded music. Many of the audio, climate, seat, and navigation functions in the central controller also have redundant switches on the dash. Voice control also can be used for audio, telephone, and navigation systems.

The S-Class literally rides on air with a standard air suspension system instead of steel coil springs. It rides both smoothly and quickly: The S550 has a 382-hp V-8 engine; the S600 is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-12; and the S65 AMG offers more than 600 hp, more than enough to satisfy even hardcore performance enthusiasts.