RichReg

Hello all!

I am new to this board (well, kind of) and on behalf of my father (who is a looooong time MB buyer) I was wondering if someone could settle a bet I have with him.

He went to his MB dealership this week to place an order and his salesguy asked him if he wanted an S450 or an S500. I don't understand why there is no mention of this midline engine ANYWHERE...not on DaimlerChrysler's site, not on MBUSA, not on GermanCarFans.com, etc.

I told the salesman he was off his gourd, but he then said that the person in charge of allocations for the dealership specifically indicated that the dealership will be receiving X amount of S450s along with S500s. I have not seen this supposed allocation sheet.

Is this true, or is the dealership just peddling B.S.? Thanks for your input.

MB Fanatic

There are only S350 (3.5 litre V6 used in the E, SLK, ML, C), S500 (5.5 litre V8 with 388hp), and S600 (Twin-Turbo V12).

Dvinn

Where abouts are you from? In the US it is true that we only got 3.5 V6, 5.5 V8 and a V12 planned, but in Europe there may just be possible a new 4.5 V8 CDI in the works that we don't know about.

amdeutsch

Incorrect. The 3.5 in the S is the old 3.7 as used in the old M.

RichReg

Dvinn; I live in Central New Jersey, USA. The S450 model that the salesman was speaking of was not a diesel, as far as I know. He seemed to allude to the fact that this model would be a replacement for the existing S430 gasoline engined model. I didn't think MB even made diesel engines with that high of a displacement.

amdeutsch: That's interesting. I knew that back in 2002 or 2003, the S350 was introduced in Europe with the old 3.5 l engine, but I didn't know that when they brought it here to the U.S. that it wouldn't have the new 3.5 (as does the new E350).

Anyways, I am still very puzzled about this. MB does have the Japanese competition to worry about & my understanding is that the S350 is not coming to the U.S. initially, so what gives? They do sell a LOT of S430s around here....

vdubpower

Desis are the cheapest people on the planet, and it's a proven fact.


haha thats comedy

MB Fanatic

Im talking about the new 2006 S class. Sorry for the confusion. I know the current S350 (2005) uses the old ML's 3.7 litre engine.

GDawgC220

From reports, there will also be a CDI version of the w221 slated for the U.S. as well

Lender1

I read early on there was going to be a W221 with a 4.7 V-8 developing 325 HP for the US market. Have not seen anything for a long time.

nabzy

according to Jesmb.de

Later follows still S 450 (likewise like S 500 a V8 of the new M273 family) with 4.667cm³ and 340 HP.

MB Fanatic

ahhhh so much confusion. I just know that my S63 will be here god knows when lol.

northbenz

My dealer advised that loss of a 400 whatever model on the new S was one of the casualties of the model elimination/consolidation presently being undertaken by the new management. Even the 350 in the new S remains in doubt at least for the US. A diesel version of the S for the US would, however, loom as an interesting possibility if gas prices keep climbing.

MB Fanatic

I think taking away the S350 from the US market will hurt sales greatly. I am tempted to say that a good percentage of current S sales are for the S430 so taking away a lower model will hurt MBUSA and DCX in the long run.

RichReg

Once again, I am throwing this question out there. I have called a few dealers in the past two weeks and I still get half-assed answers.

Does anyone happen to have any updates on this possibility?

northbenz

Somewhere I read that a S400 (450?) might show up in the US at the end of 2006. As likely though is that we will see a hybrid S as announced at the recent Frankfurt Auto Show. With gas prices where they are currently there has to be a lot of pressure to push the hybrid concept into production.

Henrik

There will be a 4.6 litre 330hp (din) version of the new 5 litre V8...called 450. I see no reason to why this engine will not find its way into the w221.

flkp

I just returned from the World Premiere of the "S" at IAA in Frankfurt Germany.
They were displaying only 350, 500 and 600. Both long and short wheelbase.

MBZFAN55

Many MB dealers will be in NYC on 10/17 for the US introduction of the W/V221. US model, engine, and option information should be much more available very soon.

RichReg

Is this for dealers only, or can salespeople invite prospective buyers?

CynCarvin32

WRONG

on a roll!

MB Fanatic

W221 Engines:

3.5 Liter V6 4-Valves per cylinder (S350)
5.5 Liter V8 4-Valves per cylinder (S500)
6.0 Liter V12 3-Valves per cylinder (S600)
6.3 Liter V8 4-Valves per cylinder (S63)

JackStraw

U.S.-bound S-Class choices will be limited to the S450, S500, and S600. The S450 and S500 offer newly reworked V-8s; the S450 will have a 4.6-liter V-8, making 335 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, while the S500 will have a 5.5-liter V-8 good for 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with a new seven-speed automatic transmission. The S600 remains the most exclusive and powerful S-Class model, with a 5.5-liter bi-turbo V-12 underhood now making 510 hp and 612 lb-ft.


http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...183.A9403.html

RichReg

So it is true then! Why did they keep it so hush-hush??

I guess 'cause Europe doesn't get that engine?

Lender1

A direct quote from an article on THE CAR CONNECTION website dated today.

U.S.-bound S-Class choices will be limited to the S450, S500, and S600. The S450 and S500 offer newly reworked V-8s; the S450 will have a 4.6-liter V-8, making 335 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, while the S500 will have a 5.5-liter V-8 good for 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with a new seven-speed automatic transmission. The S600 remains the most exclusive and powerful S-Class model, with a 5.5-liter bi-turbo V-12 underhood now making 510 hp and 612 lb-ft.

The entire article is at:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...183.A9403.html

benzmodz

W221 S450 does exist ....