Mercedes-Benz S-Class buyers still want V8

Mercedes-Benz has launched the global S-Class range with diesel, hybrid and plug-in variants, but cashed-up fanciers of the traditional V8 uber-limo have not been forgotten.

The new W222 S-Class range will kick off in Australia at the end of this year with the entry-level diesel model, the S 350 BlueTEC, but the other two models at launch will both be V8 variants: the S 500 and the higher-performance S 63 AMG.

What's more, they'll be joined by the S 600 V12 model early next year. And while it doesn't offer the requisite number of cylinders perhaps, the S 400 with its twin-turbo V6 is shaping up to be the performance 'bargain' of the range. That model is not yet confirmed, but it's about "95 per cent" certain, in the words of Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, David McCarthy, who says that the S 400 is expected to replace the current S 350 BlueEFFICIENCY.

Powered by the same engine the E 400 has supplanted both naturally-aspirated V6 and V8 models in the E-Class range, but there's still sufficient demand for the V8-engined S 500 in the S-Class range to retain it into the new generation – selling alongside the S 400.

"[The S 400] fits the same area as we've done with E 400," says McCarthy. "It covers off 350 petrol and 500, even though we're taking a 500 V8. The reason for that is because there's demand. People want a V8."

Not all the performance variants will be retained, however. McCarthy says that the V12-engined S 65 AMG will not be part of the Australian range moving forward.

"I'd be surprised over the life of the current model in Australia if we've taken more than a couple of dozen [orders for] S 65 – and they're specifically order-only cars. We're not putting our hand up for it."

The S 65 is expected to return here in two-door form after the S-Class coupe and convertible models are revealed at the Detroit motor show early next year.

Oddly, however, another V12 variant – the S 600 sedan – remains a part of the local range.

"We'll still only sell a handful, but as in CL and SL, there are buyers that come back model after model for a V12 – and I'm not talking AMG," explains McCarthy.

The E 400 twin-turbo V6 brings something different to the range for performance fans. Mercedes-Benz Australia expects the S 400 will expand sales of S-Class, as the E 400 has done for E-Class.

"Granted it's only a month or so, but we're seeing more orders for E 400 than for E 350 and 500 combined. So we're getting a bit of an uplift," McCarthy says.

The reason for that, he suggests, is that buyers are getting a car with the same kit as an E 500 and almost as much power, for about $50,000 less. Otherwise, they're getting more power and more equipment for not much more than the E 350.

Mercedes-Benz is yet to reveal pricing in Australia for the new S-Class, but the retention of the S 500 suggests the price between it and the S 400 may not be as far apart as the E 400 and the previous E 500.

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