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:''For a complete overview of all S-Class models see Mercedes-Benz S-Class.''
The 'Mercedes-Benz W221' is a large luxury sedan built by Mercedes-Benz which serves as the company's flagship vehicle. Produced since late 2005, the W221 is the successor to the previous W220 S-Class. Compared to its predecessor, the W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions, with a longer wheelbase and more interior room. As Mercedes' highest vehicle, the W221 also features new interior and exterior styling and a number of technologies and features to improve safety, handling, and comfort.

Contents

Styling

Models

Engines

Features

Safety

Comfort and convenience

Entertainment and other features

Drivetrain technologies

Special variants

Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive

External links

Styling

The W221 S-Class' exterior styling is a marked change from that of the previous model. While the previous model featured rounded shapes and lines, with a smaller appearance, the W221's shape possesses more sharp edges and creases, with larger flared wheelarches and radiator grille. The rear end has been one of the most controversial aspects of the W221: some claim that the rear end is a copy of the E65 BMW 7-Series and is unattractive, while others claim that the rear end is bold, aggressive, and in fact derived almost directly from the Mercedes-Benz Maybach - the W221's big brother, released the same year as the E65 BMW 7 series. The large, sharply defined wheelarches are also controversial, with some believing that such features do not belong on a car of this type, while others maintain that the wheelarches add to the vehicle's more-aggressive theme.
Inside, the W221's interior is also significantly different from the preceding model. The interior features an instrument cluster shroud that also contains the navigation screen, with silver air vents below, and a square, analog clock within the vents. Below the vents are metal tab switches with a black field behind them, to control the HVAC system. On the center console, a silver control wheel for the COMAND system sits above a piece of wood, surrounded by metal buttons. Throughout the interior, buttons are metal, with black fields above them denoting the switches' function. The interior is also a source of controversy, with many stating that the interior clearly contains direct copies of many BMW 7-Series styling cues (mainly because of the new COMAND controller), while others point out that the interior is clearly an update of previous Mercedes interior styling.

Models

As of 2007, the W221 S-Class features the following models and engine types:

Years	Model	Engine type	Displacement	Fuel	Power	Torque
2006–present	S 320 CDI	Turbo Diesel ''V6''	3.0 L	Diesel	240 PS (235 hp/170 kW)	398 ft·lbf (540 N·m)
2006–present	S 350	''V6''	3.5 L	Gasoline	272 PS (268 hp/200 kW)	258 ft·lbf (350 N·m)
2006–present	S 450	''V8''	4.6 L	Gasoline	340 PS (335 hp/250 kW)	339 ft·lbf (460 N·m)
2006–present	S 500 (S 550)	''V8''	5.5 L	Gasoline	388 PS (383 hp/285 kW)	391 ft·lbf (530 N·m)
2006–present	S 420 CDI	Turbo Diesel ''V8''	4.0 L	Diesel	314 PS (310 hp/231 kW)	538 ft·lbf (730 N·m)
2006–present	S 600	''Twin-turbo V12''	5.5 L	Gasoline	517 PS (510 hp/380 kW)	612 ft·lbf (830 N·m)
2006–present	S 63 AMG	''V8''	6.2 L	Gasoline	510 PS (503 hp/375 kW)	465 ft·lbf (630 N·m)
2006–present	S 65 AMG	''Twin-turbo V12''	6.0 L	Gasoline	612 PS (604 hp/450 kW)	738 ft·lbf (1000 N·m)

Engines

Engine	Cyl.	Power (PS)	Torque (Nm) 3.0 24v V6 231 300
3.5 24V	V6	272	350
4.7 32V	V8	340	460
5.5 32V	V8	388	530
5.5 48V T	V12	517	830
6.3 32V AMG	V8	525	630
6.0 48V T AMG	V12	612	1000
3.0 24V CDI	V6	235	540
4.0 32V CDI	V8	320	730

Features

Safety

The W221 S-Class continues its tradition of leadership in automotive safety. It contains a large number of features designed to improve safety for the driver and passengers. Many of the features are evolutions of previous Mercedes developments, such as Brake Assist and Pre-Safe. A short list is presented below.

★ Brake Assist Plus - an optional system designed to apportion brake pressure based on pedal speed and distance between the car and objects. This is an evolution of the Brake Assist system found on earlier models, and uses the vehicle's radar, in addition to the usual Brake Assist's monitoring of pedal depression speed, to apply power brake boost as required. This requires the optional adaptive cruise control's radar, so in vehicles not equipped with the latter, standard Brake Assist is substituted.

★ Pre-Safe - a development of the previous Pre-Safe system fitted to the W220 S-Class, which uses vehicle-dynamic sensors to predict collisions, the W221's system also takes into account closing speed, as measured by the vehicle's radar. If a collision appears likely, Pre-Safe closes all windows and the sunroof, moves all passenger's seats and their head restraints to a safer position, and tightens the seatbelts.

★ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) - similar to the systems fitted to other Mercedes vehicles, this system measures driver inputs and compares these to the vehicle's path. If these diverge, ESP brakes single wheels selectively to eliminate oversteer (fishtailing) and understeer (plowing), and reduces engine power, if necessary.

★ Night View Assist - optional, uses two near-infrared (NIR) illuminators mounted in the headlamp clusters and a sensor in the windshield. The infrared beams are picked up by the sensor and an image is displayed in the instrument cluster. Mercedes-Benz claims that this system provides the same viewable distance as high-beam headlights, without blinding oncoming motorists.
The W221 also contains many standard Mercedes-pioneered safety features, including front and rear crumple zones, eight dual-stage air bags, seatbelt pre-tensioning devices, anti-lock brakes (ABS), collapsible steering column, and traction control.

Comfort and convenience

The W221 S-Class features a variety of technologies intended to reduce the driver's workload and make the ride smoother and more comfortable for passengers. Like the safety features, many of these items are evolutions of those fitted to earlier models. Some notable features include:

★ Airmatic DC - air suspension, similar to the system fittted to the W211 E-Class, uses air springs and adaptive electronic control to sense road and driving conditions and produce a firm or soft ride. The air suspension is only available for the smaller engines up to S 500. The S 600 and S 65 AMG are equipped with an active suspension system called Active Body Control, which is based on steel springs.

★ Distronic Plus - optional, a development of the Distronic system fitted to earlier models. Uses more radar systems (long- and short-wave) and improved control logic to detect vehicles ahead and adjust the vehicle's speed to maintain a driver-set distance behind the car in front. The system has more authority over the vehicle than previous Distronic iterations, and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop if necessary, unlike the previous versions.

★ Drive-Dynamic seats with massage - optional, an evolution of the system fitted to many other Mercedes models, uses air bladders in the seat bolsters to support the driver during cornering. Also, other air bladders provide a four-mode massage function to front-seat passengers.

★ Heated and Active-Ventilated seats, with heating elements for warming the seats and small fans to keep the seats cool and draw perspiration away from occupants.

Entertainment and other features

★ harman/kardon Logic7 stereo sound system with 14 speakers, in-dash CD changer and PC card slot

★ Hard-drive based GPS satellite navigation system

★ Revised COMAND navigation and radio control system, uses the dash-top display and a central knob to navigate menu choices and options. Most frequently-used functions (such as volume) can be controlled by dedicated switches. Some have complained that the system is difficult to use and a blatant copy of BMW's iDrive system, but the general consensus is that the system is much easier to use and better thought out than iDrive. A Mercedes Benz insider is rumoured to have jokingly said that since Mercedes Benz invented the car, other manufacturers are copying them each time they release a car, and as such they can also take the liberty of using a few good ideas from other car makers.

★ Fiber-optic ambient lighting for the dashboard, footwells, and other areas.

★ Tele Aid, uses GPS tracking and cell phone service to provide assistance. Can be used for information, to call for roadside assistance, or to call for help in emergencies. Automatically calls for help if an air bag or seatbelt tensioner deploys.

★ Cup holders

Drivetrain technologies

★ Optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive with four-wheel electronic traction control.

★ 7G-Tronic, Mercedes' 7-speed automatic transmission with two reverse gears, adaptive electronic control, switchable comfort and sport modes, and Touch Shift partial manual control. The transmission is controlled by a small stalk mounted on the steering column, rather than by the usual console-mounted lever. 7G-TRONIC is standard on all S-Class models except the S600 and S65 AMG, where a 5-speed automatic is used instead, as the 7G-TRONIC transmission cannot handle the torque these models produce.

Special variants

Mercedes-Benz's high-performance firm, AMG, produces one special variant of the W221 S-Class, with another to follow. One of the variants is the S65 AMG, which features more aggressive front and rear bumpers and rocker panels, larger wheels, brakes, and tires, four exhaust pipes, modified and reprogrammed suspension for better handling, and various interior changes. The S65 also features the M275 6.0 liter, biturbo V12 engine, which is an AMG-modified version of the V12 fitted to the S600 and Maybach. In the S65, the engine produces 604 hp (612 PS/450 kW) and 730 pound-feet (1000 Nm) of torque. The transmission is a heavily reinforced 5-speed automatic.
The second AMG model is the S63 AMG. This variant includes similar modifications as the S65 AMG, but will use AMG's new naturally aspirated M156 6.2 liter V8 engine, which develops 518bhp and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm) of torque. The engine will power the S63 through the 7G-TRONIC 7-speed transmission, with AMG-programmed electronic control.
Other special variants of this model include those used by the Irish Government. Both the President of Ireland and the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) are driven in these types of vehicles. The President's State car is adapted with flag carriers on each front fender.

Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive

On December 20, 2006, Mercedes unveiled pictures of the Ocean Drive concept slated for debut at the Detroit Motor Show on January 2007. Based on the V12-powered, long-wheelbase S 600 sedan, the car is essentially a topless W221 S-Class. The vehicle features an oversized grille, redesigned LED headlights and sleeker trunk/LED taillamp design, a revised air dam, cleaner flanks that eschew the controversial wheelhouse bulges, door handles that fit flush into the bodywork and Mercedes' neck-warming technology called AIRSCARF. The car also contains pillarless windows that provide a sweeping, unobstructed view for occupants when the traditional large soft top is down.

External links

★ WhatCar.co.uk video review (3:27 min)

★ S-Class website for USA

★ Picture gallery and story at Serious Wheels

★ S550 Gallery - FamilyCar.com