European vs US Models
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2006
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European vs US Models
Some of the photos in the MB S-class website (http://www.mbusa.com/microsite/s-class/index.jsp)
mention that the European model is shown. What are the differences between the two versions? How significant are these differences?
mention that the European model is shown. What are the differences between the two versions? How significant are these differences?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 329
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Main difference is in the lighting.
US vehicle regulations (adopted 1968) require side marker lights on all vehicles -- amber front and red rear. Some marques integrate these into the headlight cluster. In the US-spec S-Class models, a separate light is found on the front quarter-panel below and behind the headlights (above and behind the foglights). At the rear, the outboard center light element is red to satisfy the same requirements.
Secondly, the same requirements demands compliance with 2.5-mph bumper requirements. Mercedes may use the same bumpers worldwide, but I'm not sure about that.
Finally, ROW (rest-of-world) S-Class models all have adaptive brake lights that flash under high-force braking conditions. This violates the letter of US 1968 regulations, so the feature is not included on most US-spec S-Classes. The NHTSA exempted the S600 from this requirement to allow a limited trial of the feature to judge its efficacy.
US vehicle regulations (adopted 1968) require side marker lights on all vehicles -- amber front and red rear. Some marques integrate these into the headlight cluster. In the US-spec S-Class models, a separate light is found on the front quarter-panel below and behind the headlights (above and behind the foglights). At the rear, the outboard center light element is red to satisfy the same requirements.
Secondly, the same requirements demands compliance with 2.5-mph bumper requirements. Mercedes may use the same bumpers worldwide, but I'm not sure about that.
Finally, ROW (rest-of-world) S-Class models all have adaptive brake lights that flash under high-force braking conditions. This violates the letter of US 1968 regulations, so the feature is not included on most US-spec S-Classes. The NHTSA exempted the S600 from this requirement to allow a limited trial of the feature to judge its efficacy.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
There are lots of detail differences besides the lighting. Speedometer in miles and English and elimination of the orange warning triangle in the trunk (required in Europe but not used in the US) are examples. US COMAND supports satellite radio and European COMAND supports TV/DVD.
