Otto

pretty sure new S provides a pano roof option

from pascalpierart.free.fr

Lexino

well for one i was under the impression that the new S is gonna be like sort of a mini Maybach but now that i have seen the picture it doesnt look a whole lot different even though iam sure there are some significant changes it still has the some contour, curves and lines. and yea i think it does have a panoramic roof option its pretty clear in the picture and comon now a days the new E class has that option. i would also like it if they come with 19" standard that would be amazing with all season tires KICK A S S

WillyWolo

hope the antenna on the trunk dosn't go into production....

a2gtinut

It will.

Lexino

i saw this other picture on some german site and the rear looks more like an E class i didnt like that at all i hope that picture wasnt the real deal.

Otto

autocar

Mercedes-Benz will take the luxury car to a new level with the sixth-generation S-class, revealed here ahead of its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Ditching the familiar appearance of today’s six-year-old model, the new S-class, codenamed W221, adopts a leaner, more edgy look. While the shape of the front end is refreshingly sleek, the rear has more than a passing resemblance to the Maybach über-limo.

At the forefront of the S-class’s technological offensive is a series of new safety features that form part of Mercedes’ upgraded Pre-Safe system. They include an early warning set-up that uses an upgraded Distronic cruise control system to identify objects in front of the car. When it detects a car pulling in front suddenly at motorway speeds, it automatically triggers the Pre-Safe system, tightening the seat belts, moving the seats to a pre-determined position and closing the windows. The same process is triggered when the ESP (electronic stability program) determines a total loss of traction for a prolonged period.

The new S-class will also be equipped with a lane-departure system which will monitor road markings and warn about unintended lane changes. Also set for introduction is an optional night vision system, which projects enhanced images of the road ahead onto a dashboard monitor. Merc’s system is based around a newly developed infra-red sensor that is claimed to identify objects quicker and deliver much sharper images than existing thermal systems.

Inside, Mercedes plans to improve the S-class’s already impressive safety credentials with a knee airbag, together with improved front, side and curtain ’bags.

The S-class will also get a boost in performance. In come Mercedes’ new four-valve-per-cylinder V6 and V8 engines, replacing the existing three-valve-per-cylinder units. From the outset there will be a 3.5-litre V6 as well as 4.6-litre and 5.5-litre V8s. Later on there are plans to extend the range of engines with a twin-turbocharged version of the new 5.5-litre V8 and, as with today’s model, a similarly configured V12.

Topping the line-up will be a tweaked version of today’s 6.5-litre V12 from AMG. It is rumoured to produce up to 630bhp and a massive 810lb ft of torque. Of greater importance to UK buyers will be two new common-rail diesel engines. They include a 3.0-litre V6 in place of today’s 3.2-litre in-line six and a new 4.0-litre V8 that replaces today’s similarly sized engine (which is not available in the UK).

All models will get Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox, with the lever mounted on the steering column and operated by a new shift-by-wire arrangement. This set-up was first aired on the R-class concept, which uses the space freed up between the driver and front-seat passenger for additional oddment stowage areas.

Rear-wheel drive will be supplemented by an optional 4Matic four-wheel-drive system. Problems with the hydraulic-electric SBC braking system (see panel, right) forced Merc to revert to traditional hydraulic stoppers. However, they will be upgraded to include ‘wet braking’ (where the calipers are lightly applied in wet conditions to clear water from the discs) and a development of the traffic-jam friendly ‘stop-and-start’ braking system, used on the E-class.

Also included is a further development of ESP and new-generation anti-lock brakes, the latter reworked so that the pulsating effect felt through the pedal when it kicks in is reduced.

More aluminium ensures weight won’t be much up on the 1735kg of today’s entry-level S350 petrol. And, in keeping with tradition, there will be standard and long-wheelbase versions. UK sales begin at the end of 2005.

V8_kompressor

The tail looks like a Maybach!

ruykava

uh oh, i hope the front lights don't really look like that. another incarnation of the "round frame in angular housing" theme seen on the maybach, which i hated! looks kinda "pretend-luxury" to me, somehow--as if they were copying something else but didnt quite made it i was hoping for something edgier like the new A-class. but otherwise it looks pretty cool indeed, interested to see how the interior is.

Messerchmidt

If it has any kind of iDrive system, as long as you can turn it off, its ok.

older S-class looked better

a (reliable) S400CDI 4matic here in North America would be sweet...

I would not buy the new models the 1st year they come out, I am sure that there will be problems, the amount of electronics that thing has that are new, ohh boy.

also you forgot, the new engines will no longer be SOHC, they will be DOHC

MBZFAN55

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7868

guru

it looks like a blended CLS and maybach....the current S class, although dated, has a clean, classic look....I felt the same way about the previous 7 series....the new 7 series looks terrible and i really hope MB does not ruin the S class....

MBZFAN55

Well at least we get to finally see it without all of the tape and camouflage. I think it was to be expected that the Maybach and CLS would have a great impact on the W221. It's almost similar to the Bangle event at BMW, where once you begin to go down that design road (i.e. BMW 7 Series) it is difficult to stop. It's therefore not surprising that this car greatly resembles its $300,000 cousin (uncle?).

Lexino

I agree with Guru, the older BMW 7 series had a very elegant/classic look but the new 7 even though looks good but not up to par with the older 7. I like my 2002 S class better than the one in the pics even though it looks like a mini Maybach doesn't have the same class as the W220. Maybe it will take time for a person like me to get used, its definately a head turner but this head isn't turning.

S55inPA

hi guys,

i bet the new S will look great but....keep in mind the current
S is truly a beautiful automobile...front...and especially the back!
think about the deals that will be available on the 05's this coming
november and december.

G Unit

And how do you know that? Pointless posts like that are not needed.

I'm liking the front alot, the rear im still 50/50 on. I think my mind would be made up with the AMG model with quad tips

MBZFAN55

Is this a viable pic of the possible W221 or just another "chop" pic ? Has anybody actually gotten any info from their dealer etc? It seems to me that even though it's still early until we see the real thing, it's quite late to NOT have this model ready for the assembly line.

MBZFAN55

..from the rear

xxbenzc230kxx

it looks PS to me.. it has a maybach taillights.. with the lines of a CLS ..i doubt this is going to be the outcome of the w221..

vivaki

Thanks to Laurensbenz at Carspyshots for the scans...

S55inPA

i don't understand why MB would duplicate the trunk line
of the BMW 5 and 7 series? i've got to think we have yet
to see the "real" S replacement.

ruykava

the trunk line isn't exactly "duplicated" -- the 7's trunk is so much weirder due to the slight Porsche 911 kink in it, viewed from profile (as if there's a small spoiler, but yet not quite). also, as many of pointed out, lets not forget the Maybach has almost the same trunkline. it's probably just the style now. although must say that Volvo's have really had that idea for quite some time now (see the S80, S60, and new S40). boot space would probably be unbelievable in this car -- the one complaint i have about the current S-class.

i can't say i'm truly blown away by this car's styling though -- though it has to be conservative, it doesn't really have, well, beauty. i won't mind if they just kept the current look, made it bigger, and revamped the interior. then again, i didn't like the CURRENT S-class either when it first came out, whereas now i think it's the most beautiful car ever to grace our roads. so, tastes do change.. though i think the real flagship Merc is still the amazing W140 -- no matter what our sensitive european friends said about it! :p

ano0oj

Looks pretty sweet to me!

G Unit

Who actually uses the boot in their S Class anyway?:p

sportlichE430

Maybe your dad :v

IMHO these spy pics are chunky, I too am looking forward to the nice price drops on the w210 later this year

vraa

Haha!

Lots of folks, where else do you put three 18" JL's?