email: avoglezon@mbzlongbeach.com
Dear 001,
Mercedes Benz has signed off the replacement S-Class engine and equipment levels 18-months before it's forthcoming models appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in early 2005. Although specification goes up, guess what? costs go up too.
Gasoline and Diesel engines will line up together, and some have suggested that the latest generation of modular V6 & V8 units are made from the same components, for gasoline & diesel, quite a remarkable feet of engineering. Entry will be via a direct injection 3.5-litre V6 gas powered unit offering 260bhp, or it's diesel sister motor with 230bhp. The range hots up with smooth V8's in the shape of a 400bhp gas or 275bhp diesel units. Everything will be attached to the new G7 gearbox as standard. Mercedes has not decided how to plug the 140bhp gap between the 260 and 400 horse gasoline models and the 6-litre V12 may never arrive at all.
Mercs clever adaptive ride and electric brakes will be standard along with directional headlights (invented by Citroen by the way). The neat concept "Stop & Go" system where you can accelerate and brake from one pedal will be fitted, but may also be standard. Squashy frontal body parts also make the car more pedestrian friendly in impacts. Gone too are the crummy 16" wheels, replaced by very nice, very large ones as standard, partly aesthetics, partly because the brake disks are so big!
Repackaging the whole car is important to MB and this is being done to improve passenger space, boot space and fuel tank size - without an overall increase in the size of the car itself. Cynically, they would have Maybach sales to think about. Structurally the new model is based on the R-Class people carriers platform, it's very strong and has been designed to take a small or large wheelbase increase (between the doors) without adding too much weight, or affecting the handling. It can also take the Maybachs roof, but nobody would tell me for certain.
While the interior is styled on the F500 Mind concept car too (which wasn't brilliantly well built)
Mercedes Benz has signed off the replacement S-Class engine and equipment levels 18-months before it's forthcoming models appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in early 2005. Although specification goes up, guess what? costs go up too.
Gasoline and Diesel engines will line up together, and some have suggested that the latest generation of modular V6 & V8 units are made from the same components, for gasoline & diesel, quite a remarkable feet of engineering. Entry will be via a direct injection 3.5-litre V6 gas powered unit offering 260bhp, or it's diesel sister motor with 230bhp. The range hots up with smooth V8's in the shape of a 400bhp gas or 275bhp diesel units. Everything will be attached to the new G7 gearbox as standard. Mercedes have not decided how to plug the 140bhp gap between the 260 and 400 horse gasoline models and the 6-litre V12 may never arrive at all.
Mercs clever adaptive ride and electric brakes will be standard along with directional headlights (invented by Citroen by the way). The neat concept "Stop & Go" system where you can accelerate and brake from one pedal will be fitted, but may also be standard. Squashy frontal body parts also make the car more pedestrian friendly in impacts. Gone too are the crummy 16" wheels, replaced by very nice, very large ones as standard, partly aesthetics, partly because the brake disks are so big!
Repackaging the whole car is important to MB and this is being done to improve passenger space, boot space and fuel tank size - without an overall increase in the size of the car itself. Cynically, they would have Maybach sales to think about. Structurally the new model is based on the R-Class people carriers platform, it's very strong and has been deigned to take a small or large wheelbase increase (between the doors) without adding too much weight, or affecting the handling. It can also take the Maybachs roof, but nobody would tell me for certain.
While the interior is styled on the F500 Mind concept car too (which was'nt brilliantly well built) the new cars construction will be rock solid, from quality materials, harking back to the old E-S Classes of the 80's/90's. The impression that the interior will last for 100-years is what MB is intending to produce. AMEN!!!!! A form of groovy his/hers I-Drive will be standard, linked to top quality Bang and Olufsen designed audio with the usual multimedia goodies. Expect a leather clad interior with wood or aluminium finishings too.
Mercedes insiders have accepted that this car has to be built well, stacked well and priced well or it will struggle. I hope they do all the above and I might just upgrade my old one...
All the best,
Mr. Steed
Auto Spies perspective: Trust us Mr. Steed, the Spies say this will be the hottest S-class ever built and sales will reflect that.