2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class/CL-Class: Highlights

A new base sedan with a 6-cyl engine joins the roster of Mercedes-Benz' largest cars. Previously offered only with V8 and V12 engines, these premium sedans get additional minor updates for their transition to early 2006 models. Redesigned 2007 versions are due in late calendar '06. The current generation of S-Class sedans dates from 2000 and shares basic engineering with CL-Class coupes, which continue as 2005 models.
The newcomer is the S350 with a 241-hp V6. The S430 has a 275-hp V8. The S500 and CL500 have a 302-hp V8. S55 and CL55 versions, tuned by Mercedes' AMG performance arm, have a 493-hp supercharged V8. S600 and CL600 use a 493-hp twin-turbocharged V12. The limited-edition S65 and CL65 AMG have a 604-hp twin-turbo V12. The S430 and S500 are available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive at no extra charge. The S350, 4Matic, and AMG versions have a 5-speed automatic transmission. Other models have a 7-speed automatic. Both transmissions have a manual shift gate. All models come with antiskid/traction control, ABS, front/rear torso side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags. AMG models have aero body addenda and uprated brakes. An AMG appearance package is available on rear-drive S430 and S500 models at no extra cost.

V12 and AMG models come with Mercedes' Active Body Control, designed to minimize cornering lean. All models include Mercedes' TeleAid assistance and COMAND video control for audio, navigation, and phone. Sedans add Mercedes' Pre-Safe system, designed to sense a crash and automatically tension seatbelts and adjust seat position to minimize possible injury. Options include satellite radio, Mercedes' Distronic cruise control, designed to automatically maintain a set following distance, and Mercedes' Keyless Go locking/engine-start system.

News

U.S. Mercedes dealers should be selling redesigned S-Class sedans by early 2006 and new-generation CL coupes a few months after that. Spy shots of late test prototypes confirm evolutionary styling, plus modest gains in width and wheelbase. Even so, engineers hope to reduce poundage by about 10 percent model-for-model through greater use of aluminum and other lightweight materials.

Less weight should help fuel economy. So should new engines with four valves per cylinder instead of the current three, plus Mercedes' new Twin Pulse direct fuel injection. Besides improved mileage, Mercedes claims these changes produce slightly more power with reduced emissions. One source reports the new base sedan will be an S350 with a 272-hp 3.5-liter V6. Then comes an S470 with a new 325-hp 4.7 V8. A 410-hp 5.5 V8 and a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 should be available in both coupe and sedan wrappings. But that's only the "mainstream" models. Mercedes' AMG performance arm is developing a 500-hp V8 for an S63 and CL63, plus an updated twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12. A diesel V6 sedan will likely continue, but could be available in all 50 states. Mercedes also offers a diesel V8 for Europe that could come here if demand seems strong enough.

Regardless of model, all the new big Mercedes reportedly get higher-quality interiors and a 7-speed automatic transmission with a shifter on the steering column. Also new is a "central controller" for audio, climate and navigation functions--presumably less daunting than BMW's iDrive setup. Upper-end models reportedly include evolved versions of Mercedes' AirMatic suspension with standard ABC. Features new to these cars, and also likely standard for top-enders, are said include a Cadillac-style night-vision system, a wireless connection for computers and digital music players, electrically height-adjustable door armrests, and an electrochromic sunroof that uses LCDs to lighten and darken. We'll have more news soon, so keep checking back with us.