I was at my dealer today, and the 2003 Twin-Turbo V12 S600 will have more than 500 hp... which is more than the SL55 engine.

I wonder what that will do to the resale value of the current w220 S600's.. hrmmm

Well, it is an S600, it will definetly hold it's value until a massive body change in 2005. The dealer also told us that there will be a minor facelift for 2003.

What trans will be attached to the 600tt, the 5 speed F1 with shift on the wheel (Ala SL55), or a new 6 speed auto? Also whats the $$$

I am not sure, didn't ask... although I am going to assume it will be the same as from MY2002.

Man this thing is going to be a monster. I think it should be 6 speed. New techno and to compete with the 7

-Musfather

I think the best it will be is the AMG F1 5 speed. Since it seems that the 6 speed will not be around till late 03. At the min, the current 5 speed as said above. I currently have an S55 which is a modified S600 box, and it could use another gear and faster shifting. But with the 600tt pull, one might do without the gear, and if its is the AMG F1, jump on it.

Accord,
I see you have the S600 and the C32, which one feels faster (I know they are different starting from the size).

Well, I don't have the C32, yet, because I am getting a 2003. But when I test drove a C32 a few months ago, the C32 feels, and is substantially faster than a 2002 S600. We are getting rid of the 2002 S600 when the 2003 S600 comes out, because of the huge changes being made. Unfortunately the 2003 S600 won't be out until December-January, already have one on order.

Accord,

Do you know what the price differance is between your 2002 S600 and the 2003?

The 2003 prices and option list have not been released, yet. My dealer told me that Mercedes-Benz does not release any of that information until 1 month before production starts. My dealer did tell me that the price will be relatively the same as the 2002 S600 though.

Thanks, thats what I hear here. Why is MB Killing us on the 2002's. I have a S55 '02, and as in the S600 the '03 S55 will be 100+ more hp & Speed shift trans. Seems we will take a 10k-15k hit on the differance. No?

The current SL tiptronic is not a true "F1 style" or bmw's SMG. It's like the other benz's with tiptronic with the standard shifter inbetween the front passenger seats. Except, its on the steering. Its an automatic pretending to be a manual.

Also, I believe, the S55 is w220 with the suppose "faster" shifting times, not the S600. Regardless, the tiptronic, as it stands today, is only useful for downshifting and for lane passing.

Flooring your benz will almost always yield the best straight line 0-60 and quarter mile times.

So the current SL you are talking about being a SL55 has the same trans as the S55 "W220", with the addition of steering wheel buttons?

As for the tip, you are right, just put it to the floor and go. As for shifting its not bad, it will hold gears for ya around turns and downshift on high speed stops. etc.

So if you look at the S63 AMG, being about 100hp more than the S55, the S63 was 3/10 faster, and I am also reading the there is lag in the twin turo in the SL55. Maybe a trade in is not worth it.

Why do you think MBZ has decided to turbocharge instead of supercharge the 2003 S600? Seems like you can get similar output with the supercharger as well, esp bolting the SC onto a V12 engine. It will seem more logical for one car manufacture to stick to one type of force induction. You can apply the design of the supercharger from the current SL55 to the S600, instead of starting from scatch with the turbos. Maintenance will be easier too, reducing the engine types dealers need to service.

Baron

Every car with tiptronic functions the same. The new SL R230 just has the tiptronic functions on the steering wheel. It is not a true sequential transmission. It just looks that way heh.

I really have no idea what the new S600 will have. It would make sense that the new S600 will have more HP than the S55 supercharged, if you follow the usual Mercedes train-of-thought. However, twin turbocharged? When was the last time DaimlerChrysler put a twin turbo on a car, much less the flagship sedan?

Regardless, i'm surprised Mercedes will do any major engine revision on the hugely successful S class. Only time will tell.

I found some more information.

the current C32 and SLK32 has something called SpeedShift.

I believe it's basically a "tuned" version of Touch Shift. I wouldn't be surprised if the only difference between TouchShift and SpeedShift was software only.

Anyways, the new SL55 has SpeedShift, but it is on the steering wheel.

Note, on the Mercedes Benz site, the current W220 S55 does not have Speedshift.

it's basically the same engine as in maybach, which mb is claiming
at 550hp,
2003 s600 is supposed to be slightly detuned though,according to my sources high 400hp.

Actually, it will be upwards of 500hp+. I do know for a fact that it will have more HP and Torque than the new SL55 engine, my dealer told me atleast 500hp.

baron

As for Turbo or Supercharge you make a good point. Why not support just one for all. It seems AMG went one why while main MB went another.

So now to debate on SC or TT, and a theory.

I beleive that when it comes to low end power, the SC will perform better (AMG's thoughts), more predictable. While in the top end TT will produce more hp but have more lag in low end (twin still has lag). Thus the 600 being tt to move the beast. The 600 being a more flagship ride while the 55 being more athletic.

This maybe their reason.

thoughts?