luxury1

Nice job on the pictures! I think this is the S for a few reasons. First, a mid model refreshening is usually headlights and taillights with maybe another small enhancement or so. This one has new side mirrors, new rear headrests, new rear antenna placement, etc. I think it is a little drastic. Next, I don't believe they typically camo the cars during a refresh since the changes are so minor. They typically just release it (especially in the states). Finally, the timing couldn't be better for the new S. I think this is the sneak peek for the dealership in the background of one of those pictures...

DavidNJ

Also think it is the S...due out this year. If it was an E facelift, I don't think the E350 would have labeled an '06. The E is due for a major rework in '09, so an '07 revision would only be for 2 years.

That said, it does look like MB is installing a an MB look with CLS like headlights in the new S and C classes. The new E will probably do the same. And unlike previous generations (W210 vs E39), with the new engines (V8s with the new S), MB doesn't appear to be giving up much if anything in driveline (engine, transmission) sophistication and performance to BMW for the first time I can remember.

Nevada Jack

For those thinking this is the S, you have raised some valid reasons. Although I don't see much difference in the antenna and rear head rests? They very well could have the fender flare concealed under that gray treatment also. The trunkline is consistent with the new S shots I have seen so you all may be right.

But, remember in the past the E was a best seller and they never had to do much in a facelift. At this point in time E sales are down bigtime and they may feel they have to do more than just the cosmetic facelift done in the past.

Regardless...the 4 eyes will go either in the facelift or the next major update.

"I love a mystery..." Who remembers that show on radio...

ruykava

definitely the new s-class. it's almost inconceivable they'd put a new bootlid on a "facelifted" car. although the fender flares aren't there, and the headlights look a little smaller than in the previous pictures, it's probably just the masking tape playing with us.

i like that sharp line down the side! looking forward to seeing this thing unmasked

dacbiet

That car can be found at the Vehicle Prep Center on Watsoncenter road in Carson, CA. That's where all the "5506" cars originate from. Anyone live nearby there?

john doe iii

I would have followed that car to it's destination!

Brian_I.

I live about a minute and a half from there. Judging by the direction they were travelling (South on the 405) and the area (just East of Carson a few miles past the Wilmington on-ramp) it definitely came from the Prep Center. I enter on that entrance all the time when travelling to the OC and there are always new MB's getting on or off the freeway there. Tons of those little SMART cars and a bunch of CLS's before they hit the showrooms. This is definitely the new S-Class strictly because the Center in Carson is where all new MB's coming into the West Coast go through before being trucked off to the dealerships. The only way this car would be here would be if it is a model that is soon to be released. I have been wanting to park outside of their facility and take spy shots for a long time. I think Joe has just given me the motivation to do so.

I see about 50-100 new MB's a day driving past my neighborhood that come from that center. I am sure I'll see this one real soon and then I can get some additional shots and give my opinion on the size.

Btw, thanks for the pics Joe. Good work!

dacbiet

There is an emissions lab located within the VPC that performs several types of emissions related tests; they work pretty close with the SCAQMD. That VPC is also used as a base for some endurance tests that are conducted in Death Valley and other hot areas. Years ago, don't know if they still do this, but they did some limited testing on European-spec cars there as well. They would fly the cars over on a Lufthansa 747 cargo, do some tests, and send the cars to the crusher when finished.

northbenz

Thanks for the scoop. I think the guys at Autoweek would be interested in your shots - they look as good, if not better, than some of the spy pics Hidden Image comes out with from time to time. (The Hidden Image guys seem to focus (pun intended) on long telephoto shots of stationary cars that don't require the bravado of highway speed over the shoulder shooting.)

As to the E vs S debate my sense is the car is too short to be the new S, but then again there is a short wheelbase version of the S that they sell in Europe (possibly the new for the US 2006 S350 as well?). Lack of the S Class fender flares noted above is the most critical clue to suggesting the vehicle to be an E since that body disguise looks cosmetic leaving the sheetmetal intact.

Brian_I.

Just noticed those wheels look like they might be 19's or possibly even 20's. Also, nice wide tires in the rear. Can't wait to find out!

Buckeye

I saw similar car in NYC on Tuesday looking down from a third floor window in midtown. Driver was kind enough to be stopped at a light so I could gawk for a while. Looked to be too large for an "E" unless MB is lengthening out the new model. Same backend as your spies (couldn't see the front of the car from my angle). Thought is was an Infinity proto at first with the tail-light treatment. But your grill picture is definetly MB (or KIA knockoff).

luxury1

Another good point. I don't think they are going to be driving around an E with 19's during testing considering the E only comes with 16 as standard and 18's at the largest stock.

intrinsico

I think this is the new S-class as well. Check this out: http://www.edmunds.com/future/2007/m...16/photos.html

rickyfanmdr

Great job, EDJ!! I also thought it was the E-Class until I looked at the photos in intrinsico's link to edmunds.com. Looks definitely like what they are calling the 2006 S-Class. Nice to see it with the pano roof finally, intrinsico!

I still prefer the lines of the E-Class over this.

Also, I bought my car at Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach, so thanks for the photo, EDJ.

CALBenzo

Yup! Pretty dead on the car in Edmunds.

glojo

The car looks quite similar to current shape Mercedes-Benz. I thought the new S-class was going to be a completely different looking vehicle.

With the cars registration number does not offer any information as to date of registration etc?

Our number plates denote the local area here the vehicle was registered, plus what year, and part of the year.

I would expect lots of pictures from Europe of the new vehicle, evenif they were just going for export??

I must be getting very cynical in my old age!

Regards,
John

A very windy overcast morning in Torquay (Today we have some 'Tall ships' anchored in the bay, and the web camera has beem moved to include one of the schooners)

Spartan

I hope those wheel arches look better in real life then the photos otherwise that is one UGLY front end. In fact, the more I look at it, the more BLAND it looks.

What happened to Mercedes? The CLS looks slab sided and the new S looks ugly in some parts. Even the M gets a "decent" rating and not much more. The Mercedes designer did great with the E and then pffffffft. They must be like those insects that die after having sex.





"A HOT day here in Hell and no relief in sight." :v

Nevada Jack

Hi John...these plates in the USA used by the manufacturer are not assigned to a specific car but can be used on any of their cars for testing. I doubt there would be a specific reference that could be traced to a particular car.

I still am suspicious that this is not the S but the face lifted E but there has been much put forward to debate that.

"A cool 92 degrees today in Las Vegas after a week in the low to mid 100's"

AMGfan

What the F....did they kidnap Bangle? NO like!

Jakpro1

Didn't have time to read 5 pages of posts.....but THIS is the new E Class....or at least a version or it.

Nevada Jack

Has anyone wondered if instead of doing a facelift on the current E, they eliminate it and go directly to a new version and introduce it as a 2007 model late next year? It seems to me that if the next date for a total revision of the E Class in scheduled for 2008 or2009, it would not be at this stage of development in 2005.

HELL ONA HARLEY

Doubt it Jack.... Mercedes and other high end cars never do complete body changes or re-design sooner than 7 years... This is one of the reasons european cars are so appealing to me. You can buy an MB, BMW, Volvo, etc and drive a "new" looking car for quite a number of years with only minor body changes... This is so untrue with japanese and most American cars.... This is the reason I still believe this is an S class.

B.T.W..... I thought the picture Jakpro1 posted was already identfied as photoshoped.

glojo

What appeals to my sense of humour is the fact that no other site is taking this seriously. I personally think it is a revised verion of the A-class, but then again......

Regards,
John

Fastbuck

Hi John

Nice to see you posting here again!

Take a look at GermanCarFans or CarySpyShots sites and you will see that they have been following this car for months. It is for sure the new W221 S Class.

glojo

Good evening Fastbuck,
Thanks very much for the link, I just hope that they actually make an estate car for a change.

You sure are a kill joy Nice site with some good pictures.

Regards,
John