US S500 is renamed to S550
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Originally Posted by MBNorCal
Just heard from MB reps that the S500 is going to be called the S550 here in the States. 
Sorry to be asking this all over again but, are you sure there still won't be a model below the S550 in the U.S. dubbed the S500? Or will there be an S450?
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Makes perfect sense with the engine displacement is going to be 5.5 liters. I would have been disapointed if they would not have changed it from the current 5.0 hence the S500.
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Originally Posted by RichReg
That's weird.
Sorry to be asking this all over again but, are you sure there still won't be a model below the S550 in the U.S. dubbed the S500? Or will there be an S450?
Sorry to be asking this all over again but, are you sure there still won't be a model below the S550 in the U.S. dubbed the S500? Or will there be an S450?
diesel s models may be here as early as spring-summer. that designation has not annouced perhaps S430-cdi likely. mb pushing ban for diesel smog laws in all 50 states in 2007. keeping fingers crossed!
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I'm confused it's not going to be a 450, but there is still going to be a 500. Even though it now has a 5.5. liter engine. If there is no 450 then what will be the entry model. Because I heard that there won't be a 350 in the states, not for a while anyway. Can someone clear this up for me? 
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MB engines and drive trains have been the bullwork of their automotive success. I am a bit worried that they are coming out w/ all of these new engines. Sometimes they don't do well w/ new. Think I will wait at least five years to be sure all of the "newbugs" have been worked out...
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Originally Posted by MBNorCal
no s450. mb rep says. annouced at the official s-class launch in socal. however in europe, the s500 will remain s500 with the new engine FOR NOW. expect to see the new v8's to come in the other mb's as early as spring.
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I like MB's decision of only bringing the "S550" and S600 to the US and I don't...Here's why...Having the more expensive and premium models will place the new S-class in a higher class and will make it more "exclusive"! Although, not having an S450, S350, or lower class model will hurt sales of the new S because the starting price of an S550 will be in the upper 80's-90k range. The Audi A8 starts in the upper 60's with the BMW 7-series around 70-71k. This means more sales for the S-class competitors! Not to mention the infamous Lex LS430, etc... 
Hope MB knows what their doing...there seems to be many sacrifices being made lately or in the near future.
Hope MB knows what their doing...there seems to be many sacrifices being made lately or in the near future.
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Originally Posted by MBNorCal
Just heard from MB reps that the S500 is going to be called the S550 here in the States.
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Originally Posted by MBFanatic4Life
I like MB's decision of only bringing the "S550" and S600 to the US and I don't...Here's why...Having the more expensive and premium models will place the new S-class in a higher class and will make it more "exclusive"! Although, not having an S450, S350, or lower class model will hurt sales of the new S because the starting price of an S550 will be in the upper 80's-90k range. The Audi A8 starts in the upper 60's with the BMW 7-series around 70-71k. This means more sales for the S-class competitors! Not to mention the infamous Lex LS430, etc... Hope MB knows what their doing...there seems to be many sacrifices being made lately or in the near future.
Hope MB knows what their doing...there seems to be many sacrifices being made lately or in the near future.The pricing situation on the new S550 is made even more intriguing by Mercedes greatly limiting individual options and instead offering 3 tiered optional equipment packages. The end result will be many more better equipped S-Classes than we saw in the prior model, and consequently, higher priced cars. It should be interesting.
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why would mercedes go to the trouble of calling the S500, S550 in the states when the rest of the world is called S500?
The S class was launched here in HK as the S500, our receipt and ordering status shows it as the S500. It jsut baffels me why differntiate it for the states.
The S class was launched here in HK as the S500, our receipt and ordering status shows it as the S500. It jsut baffels me why differntiate it for the states.
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Originally Posted by BlackSL
why would mercedes go to the trouble of calling the S500, S550 in the states when the rest of the world is called S500?
The S class was launched here in HK as the S500, our receipt and ordering status shows it as the S500. It jsut baffels me why differntiate it for the states.
The S class was launched here in HK as the S500, our receipt and ordering status shows it as the S500. It jsut baffels me why differntiate it for the states.
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From: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Originally Posted by MBZFAN55
...The same question could be asked as to why the comand center is an option in Europe, yet standard equipment in the states...
For example, in the Middle East regional map CD's from MB only became available in 2003.
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if you guys don't believe me go to your nearest mb dealer and ask he/she to order you and you will see it will be s550. if not, just wait and see. car and driver and motortrend should have an article out very soon. 
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Originally Posted by RichReg
I don't get it....there's no S450 for the U.S. but the new V8's come into the other MBs as early as spring? What are you saying? The U.S. gets only one V8 for the S-Class, or a choice of two?
V-8's). US will only get one V-8 (the 5.5L DOHC 32 valve) as OF NOW for s-class. so the entry level is the s550 FOR NOW.
the s450 is not schedule out until later the year. so i would say yes the s450 is available. just not sooner tho. seems like this engine is exclusive for the s-class.
read the article below.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...183.A9403.html
S-Class models will start arriving Stateside with the S550 next February, the S450 and S600 next April, and a full line of 4Matic all-wheel-drive models next November. While the rear-wheel-drive version of the S600 will continue to feature the five-speed automatic transmission, we were told that 4Matic S600s will get a revised version of the new seven-speed. Expect starting prices across the board to go up slightly (which is a few grand when we're dealing with this high price class) - meaning the high $70k range for the S450, the high $80k range for the S550, and around $130k for the S600. There will also likely be various limousine and armored versions to follow.
Last edited by MBNorCal; Oct 22, 2005 at 03:10 AM.
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Originally Posted by jimmyg
On the S500 and 600, COMAND is standard in all markets.
For example in Germany the W221 is offered only as S350 (with M272) and S500 (with M273) and COMAND is optional for both for EU1810.
PS. I would pass on the COMAND.
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Originally Posted by MBNorCal
if you guys don't believe me go to your nearest mb dealer and ask he/she to order you and you will see it will be s550. if not, just wait and see. car and driver and motortrend should have an article out very soon.
Here's the Edmunds article, under the We are Going To Pump You Up Paragraph.
Last edited by asianml; Oct 22, 2005 at 12:34 PM.
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Originally Posted by asianml
Edmunds has already said they going to keep it the S500. But MB may have made changes mid-way.
Here's the Edmunds article, under the We are Going To Pump You Up Paragraph.
Here's the Edmunds article, under the We are Going To Pump You Up Paragraph.
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Originally Posted by MBZFAN55
Well, I guess it just shows you how things can change in a mere 15 days, from when that article was published. The US version is now called the "S550", according to MBUSA.
The original CarConnection article stated "S500 & S450"....but NOW the exact same article says S550 & S450!
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MBUSA refers to a "382 hp S500" on their website?
http://www.mbusa.com/media/downloads...s-20050620.pdf
http://www.mbusa.com/media/downloads...s-20050620.pdf
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i think mercedes is reverting to their earlier strategy of selling highly desirable, over-engineered, ultra-prestigious cars at high profit margins, instead of chasing every possible customer. not saying the cars aren't highly desirable or prestigious now, but i've to admit the over-engineered feel hasn't quite been there since the W210. started coming back in the W211 and the W221 will probably bring them back to where they were.
just read an article (can't remember source right now, i was browsing in Borders) interviewing BMW's chief marketer in Europe. basically he said that the two makes are trying to attract very different cliente in general, so they don't see each other as competitors. in that case, we might expect to see Merc prices go up and up, but with an increase in quality and spec levels as well. every Merc will be as good as it gets. but competition from Bentley at the top end would probably keep prices reasonable.
that might explain the decision to "up" the 500 to 550. Merc also does strange things in europe, like "down"-ing their 2 litre C-class Coupe to C180 and even C160 - even though they have the exact same engines except for some tuning work.
my 2 pence :p (now that i'm in you-know-where)
just read an article (can't remember source right now, i was browsing in Borders) interviewing BMW's chief marketer in Europe. basically he said that the two makes are trying to attract very different cliente in general, so they don't see each other as competitors. in that case, we might expect to see Merc prices go up and up, but with an increase in quality and spec levels as well. every Merc will be as good as it gets. but competition from Bentley at the top end would probably keep prices reasonable.
that might explain the decision to "up" the 500 to 550. Merc also does strange things in europe, like "down"-ing their 2 litre C-class Coupe to C180 and even C160 - even though they have the exact same engines except for some tuning work.
my 2 pence :p (now that i'm in you-know-where)
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from someone I know at MBUSA, there will be the two new V8s for the w221, 4.5L and 5.5L making 339hp and 388hp, respectively. As for the "S500" naming, it will be changed to "S550", replacing the "S500" and the "S450", replacing the "S430". 
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Mercedes-Benz Next Generation S-Class Named S550
Here's today's press release:
Mercedes-Benz Next Generation S-Class Named S550
2007 S-Class Features All-New 5.5-liter V8 Engine, Advanced Technology
MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz today announced new
nomenclature for its flagship sedan. The model year 2007 S-Class will be
named the S550, replacing the S500. In the U.S. market, the new S-Class line
will be launched with an all-new 5.5-liter V8 engine delivering 382 horsepower
and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, the first of a new-generation V8 engine family
featuring four-valve-per-cylinder technology and variable valve timing. The
"S" designation had long been used to identify top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz
sedans and coupes, and the S-Class has embodied the brand's flagship role for
more than five decades.
The S-Class is a technological showcase that has pioneered significant
safety and comfort features for the entire auto industry, including the first
ABS anti-lock brakes, the first ESP stability control and the first PRE-SAFE
system. The new S-Class made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in
September 2005 and is set to arrive in the U.S. in February 2006. The
successor to a long line of premium luxury vehicles, the 2007 S-Class sedan
will debut with a significantly evolved design and a stronger presence.
Sharper angles and cleaner lines frame a sedan that gains about 1.7 inches of
length, almost an inch in width, and more than three inches in wheelbase over
its predecessor.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is
responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and
Maybach products in the United States. In 2004, MBUSA achieved an all-time
sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in
its history and achieving 11 consecutive years of sales growth. More
information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at
http://www.mbusa.com and http://www.maybachusa.com .
2007 S-Class Features All-New 5.5-liter V8 Engine, Advanced Technology
MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz today announced new
nomenclature for its flagship sedan. The model year 2007 S-Class will be
named the S550, replacing the S500. In the U.S. market, the new S-Class line
will be launched with an all-new 5.5-liter V8 engine delivering 382 horsepower
and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, the first of a new-generation V8 engine family
featuring four-valve-per-cylinder technology and variable valve timing. The
"S" designation had long been used to identify top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz
sedans and coupes, and the S-Class has embodied the brand's flagship role for
more than five decades.
The S-Class is a technological showcase that has pioneered significant
safety and comfort features for the entire auto industry, including the first
ABS anti-lock brakes, the first ESP stability control and the first PRE-SAFE
system. The new S-Class made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in
September 2005 and is set to arrive in the U.S. in February 2006. The
successor to a long line of premium luxury vehicles, the 2007 S-Class sedan
will debut with a significantly evolved design and a stronger presence.
Sharper angles and cleaner lines frame a sedan that gains about 1.7 inches of
length, almost an inch in width, and more than three inches in wheelbase over
its predecessor.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is
responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and
Maybach products in the United States. In 2004, MBUSA achieved an all-time
sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in
its history and achieving 11 consecutive years of sales growth. More
information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at
http://www.mbusa.com and http://www.maybachusa.com .
