S-Class stars for Benz
The focus of the Mercedes-Benz press conference at Frankfurt was the world premiere of the new S-Class.In his first appearance as the new head of the German marque, Dr Dieter Zetsche also presented the European version of the R-Class uber-peoplemover and two AMG-fettled rocketships, the ML 63 AMG SUV and the ready-for-production Vision R 63 AMG.
Mercedes says the new S-Class is set to reinforce the reputation of the German limo as the world's most successful luxury car series. Says Benz, the new S is set to become "a benchmark for the entire automotive industry as a pioneer of new technology – especially in the field of safety, and with particular emphasis on accident prevention."
Included in the technology incorporated in the S-Class is a night view assist system, which increases the driver's range of vision in the dark. Other features include Brake Assist and BAS PLUS which works with two radar systems to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions by up to a claimed 75 per cent.
The new Mercedes flagship features optimised AIRMATIC air suspension plus the ADS II adaptive damping system as standard.
In Europe Mercedes-Benz will offer two petrol powerplants at launch: the existing 200kW 3.5-litre V6 with and an all-new 5.0lt V8. In the S 500 this produces 290kW and 530. By the time the car makes it down under, the range will also include a V12 bi-turbo plus a diesel - the S 320 CDI with 235hp and 540Nm.
The ML 63 AMG is the most powerful M-Class ever. Its 510hp, 6.3-litre V8 is the most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engines currently on the market. It new mill is also at the heart of the near-production R-Class study presented in Frankfurt, the R 63 AMG.
The European version of the R-Class unveiled at Frankfurt features a shorter wheelbase and tauter suspension tuning than its American market stablemate.
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