.........

Photo: AutoCar   Additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

Article from "AUTOCAR" about the new S-Class W220

Mercedes-Benz is set to re-establish itself as maker of the world's best luxury car with the launch of its
new S-Class this autumn. Pictured here for the first time without any disguise during a photo shoot in
Australia, the fifth-generation S-Class departs radically from the nine-year-old model it replaces with
sleek new styling, reduced dimensions and an extended range of petrol and common rail diesel engines,
among a raft of high-tech innovations aimed at seeing off the BMW 7-Series and its other big luxury car rivals.
Codenamed W220, the new Mercedes flagship is charged with the task of restoring the German car maker's long-held image for world-beating engineering in in the wake of last year's A-Class rollover debacle, production delays with the new Smart city car and recent recalls with the heavily touted Brake Assist system on the CLK.
The new S-Class is expected to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September, with the first deliveries of right-hand-drive cars due in mid to late November. Despite improved equipment levels right across the range, prices are not expected to rise by more than five per cent, suggesting a range from British Pounds 44.000 to British Pounds 107.000.
You won't have to look too far to recognize the new S-Class. Clothed in a new body that has been cleverly designed to hide its bulk, the new car immediately looks a lot sleeker, tauter and more muscular than its predecessor. Big Xenon-charged headlamps, a heavily raked chrome grille, steeper screen angles, flowing C-pillars and exterior mirrors that house indicator repeater units are just some of the highlights distinguishing new from old. The new car is said to boast a drag coefficient of just 0.26 in skinny-tyre form.

Photo and photo text: AutoBild     Additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

The face we'll see in our rear-view mirrors from October on.

Acting on criticism that the current S-Class is too big for the world's more congested cities, its designers have shaved almost 120mm from its overall length, bringing it down under the politically sensitive five-metre mark at 4990mm in short wheelbase guise. Width and height have also been reduced by 40mm and 31mm respectively. Despite these dimensional changes, the new car retains the same 3040mm wheelbase in a bid to provide it with class-leading levels of cabin space. As a result, the new model boasts much-reduced overhangs front and rear.
Along with the slimmed-down exterior, the new S-Class has also shed as much as 300kg compared with today's models - a remarkable achievement given the safety requirements it now has to meet. Stuttgart engineers credit the reduced weight to the use of a high percentage of aluminium, magnesium and light weight steel. Another reason is that the number of components used to build the car has been reduced - achieved through a closer relationship with key suppliers, many of whom were brought in at the very outset of the new S-Class`s 38-month development cycle.
Another factor that has helped Mercedes fight S-Class flab is the adoption of a new range of all-aluminium V6 and V8 petrol engines, each featuring Mercedes' unusual twin-spark ignition and
three-valve per cylinder head arrangement for reduced emissions and class-leading fuel economy.
The new 90deg units replace the old in-line six and four-valve V8 powerplants, both of which have been pensioned off because they are unable to pass tough new EC emission standards.

Photo: AutoCar

The initial line-up will consist of three petrol engines and one diesel: a 224bhp 3,2-litre V6, a 279bhp
4,3-litre V8, a 320bhp 5,0-litre V8 and a 170bhp 3,2-litre six-cylinder diesel. About ten months after the first cars reach British customers, Mercedes will add a new luxury-packed 400bhp 5,8-litre S600 range-topper to its ranks. At the same time, it also hopes to launch its impressive new 4,0-litre V8
common rail diesel engine under the bonnet of the S400 CDI. With 239bhp and 413lb ft of torque, it is claimed to set lofty new standards in diesel performance while economy on a par with petrol engines of half its capacity.
It is still not yet clear whether Mercedes will offer an entry-level model underneath the S320 as it does
now. A likely scenario is that a new 204bhp 2,8-litre V6 S280 will enter the line-up soon after initial sales have wained a bit in a bid to keep showroom interest up. Whatever the case, all models destined for the UK will feature an electronically controlled five-speed automatic gearbox with a slick new aluminium shift lever.
Along with its new engines, the W220 also boasts an all-new rear-wheel-drive platform aimed at providing the big German saloon with the sort of ride and handling qualities to bury the Audi A8 Quattro and BMW 7-Series, which are currently considered more sporting than the serene S-Class.
Kicking off the changes from an enthusiast's point of view is a long-overdue switch from

Photo: AutoCar  Additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

recirculating ball to rack and pinion steering, a move that promises sharper responses and a better off-centre feel. The suspension is an adoption of the current car's double wishbone/multi-link arrangement with one important change: the addition of new air-filled dampers right across the range.
Engineers say a lot of work went into defining pick-up points in a bid to provide the best possible base for the new suspension set-up, which shares none of its geometry with today's car. Work is also continuing on a new anti-roll system dubbed Active Body Control (ABC). However, it is not expected to feature on the new S-Class until the V12-powered range-topper enters the fray later next year. Similar in concept to Citroen's pioneering Activa system used on the Xantia, it uses a series of hydraulic pumps located at each corner in combination with yaw sensors scattered throughout the bodyshell to first detect changes in the car's attitude and then set about correcting them. The result is dramatically reduced body roll during hard cornering, less pitching under heavy braking and more even ride characteristics over deeply rutted bitumen.
Complementing ABC will be a host of other electronically controlled driver aids, combining to make the W220 a real technological "tour de force". They include an improved ESP stability control system with even faster reaction times, the latest five-channel anti-lock braking system with a Brake Assist booster fro reduced stopping distances in emergency situations, intelligent Xenon headlights that vary their pitch according to the road conditions, and autonomous cruise control that uses radar sensors mounted behind the grille to judge the distance to other cars and then brakes the car accordingly, thus helping to avoid collisions.

Photo and photo text: AutoBild

Dynamic already at standstill: The designers cleverly knew how to keep the rear low by oblique lines.

Helping the new S-Class to improve on its already impressive refinement levels is a new weight-optimised bodyshell designed using the latest in computer-aided design and manufacturing
technology. Fashioned partly from a new lightweight steel, it is rumoured to be up to 40 per cent stiffer than that of the current model in certain areas, particularly bending, reducing vibrations at associated noise levels. The stiffer body also plays a crucial role in ensuring that the S-Class retains its reputation as one of the world's safest cars, providing an improved safety cell for its occupants and larger crumple zones.
Improved cabin architecture has allowed Mercedes to increase the amount of space in the new S-Class, despite the reduction in its external dimensions. The use of virtual reality imaging during the design phase has also led to some important ergonomic changes, including the relocation of the electric window switches from their traditional place down on the transmission tunnel up on to the door rests, along with the electric seat switches. In a move that will bring a smile to the BMW faces, Mercedes will also offer the new S-Class with a new multi-function steering wheel in the same vein as that of the 7-Series.
As with each generation of the S-Class, Mercedes has striven to deliver the very last word in safety.
And that looks to be the case again. The W220 will be one of the first cars to offer Autoliv`s new head curtain airbag. This new system is expected to complement standard twin face and front door airbags in all models, protecting occupants`s heads from the side glass in a heavy side impact. Added to this will be optional rear door airbags.
The S-Class has never been a car to want for luxury, so it comes as no surprise that top-line versions will be offered with just about every piece of equipment you could imagine. Forget everyday items such as electric windows and central locking; the new S-Class aims much higher, with everything from pollen-reducing filters to individual climate control air conditioning and the latest in satellite navigation
and GSM telephones.
There's even talk of the W220 adopting a speech recognition system for all major dashboard controls,
which means the driver's hand will never need to leave the wheel. And if you want to access e-mail on the run into work, no problem: Mercedes is working on that for the new S-Class, too.
End of article from "Autocar".
Thanks to Colin from the UK for sending the article and the photos!
Below follows a translated article from Auto Motor und Sport

Photo and photo text: AutoBild

The bit is gone: No more door locks. To be opened by remote control. Emergency lock in driver's door only.

Heavily Lightened

Translation of an article from "Auto Motor und Sport" 1997 written by Bernd Stegemann.

Mercedes slims: The heavyweight of the German luxury cars from autumn 1998 will be lighter, slimmer and more economical but more luxurious again. ...

If little strokes fell big oaks then on the actual S-Class W140 a heavy series of strokes must have gone down. When the monument of German art of engineering came onto the market in March 1991 malice came from all sides. Flaws at manufacturing and payload left scratches in the paint as well as the harsh critics on fuel consumption, size and appearance of  the car. In America and Asia the flagship is being appreciated even because of its representative appearance. After now 350.000 sold cars the successor makes his debut in autumn 1998 and shall end this colossal chapter. With the new one - internal designation W220 - inner size hides under a flowing, optically restraining shell which nearly looks not more bulky than the smaller E-Class.
With 4,99 metres the normal sedan ((short wheelbase)) after all is 12 centimetres shorter than the up to now model and width (1,85 metres) and height (1,45 metres) each is shortened roughly 3 centimetres.
Because the wheelbase (3,04 metres) remains unchanged in the inside no losses worth mentioning have
to be feared. The comfort dimensions (distance between acceleration pedal and back seat rest) even increases slightly and the more limited head- and shoulder-space should change nothing on the fact, that with the space offered Mercedes for the future sets the standard in the upper class. The trunk, too, will offer at least the familiar volume (525 litres).

Graphics: Auto Motor und Sport    Translation and additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

Although it gives a small part of the aimed at slimming only one has to do without the standard double glazing. Besides constructive steps the enhanced use of magnesia, aluminium and plastics leads to a weight reduction of up to 280 kilograms. So the steel body for the first time will have doors and hoods made out of light metal and the suspension of the W220 will consist of aluminium, too.
The completely new engines alone will be at least 30 kilograms lighter. The beginning had being done by the V6- and V8-engines with three valve technique recently introduced in the E-Class ((W210)) which have an unified cylinder-bank angle of 90 degrees and therefore can be produced at a reasonable price. The six cylinders deliver 204 hp (S280) and 224 hp (S320), the eight cylinder 279 hp (S430) and 320 hp (S500).
Not before the introduction of the new CL-Coupe (C215) at the next IAA in autumn 1999 a 5,8 litre V-12 engine will come. Beyond it two four-valve turbodiesels with common-rail-ignition are in preparation.
The 3,2 litre inline six cylinder in the S320 CDI delivers around 190 hp, the four litre V8 238 hp. With the latter one the S400 CDI shall accelerate from 0-100 Km/h ((0-62 mph)) in roughly 7 seconds and reach a top speed of 240 Km/h ((148 mph)).
((For an article about the V8 400CDI engine with technical data and a photo click here))
The power transmission to the rear axle in any case is being done by the well-tried five speed automatic transmission. It is operated by a lever in a setting of polished aluminium as known from the Audi A8. For the first time with Mercedes the buttons for the power windows go into the door panels and so give room for the button for the opening of the trunk on the centre console. Despite that the cockpit shows its familiar shape but the oversized speedometer with integrated display for the navigation system attracts attention.  ((For five interior photos of the W220 click here))
Already at the start of the series the S-Class promises a completely new comfort experience. For that Mercedes falls back on the system of air suspension with which the car glides on gas like the former models 300SE ((W112/3; "AMS" forgot to mention the 300SEL variants from the W109 series)) and 600 ((W100)). For the top version it is enhanced to an active suspension which on push on a button gives a spring-shock-characteristic from sedan-chair softness to sporty stiffness.
Of course an enhanced car electronics is needed for that. Engine-, transmission- and chassis-control are integrated in a super computer which is able to net all functions. In case the ASR detects a slippery road surface the computer automatically switches to a changed programme. In a further stage of expansion the electronic stability program ESP prevents the inclination to sides in corners and the dipping of the car when braking. The standard options are extended of aluminium wheels, radio, electric seat adjustment for the front seats and side airbags in the rear and for the first time of head-airbags, electronic distance control ((Distronic))  and a multifunction steering  wheel on special order. Despite the base price being DM 5.000 ((USD 2650 assumed USD 1 =DM 1,90)) higher the new S-Class corrected ((of the new standard options)) price is not higher than the old one which should ease Mercedes to increase the yearly world-wide sales from 60.000 to 90.000 cars and to edge out BMW and Jaguar of their place on the top...
End of article - translation by MBEP webmaster
As usual remarks in ((blabla)) but (blabla) belongs to the original text.
Three points ... show original text not translated because not related with W220.

For an article about the V8 400CDI engine with technical data and a photo click here

For more articles about the new S-Class click here (e.g. interior photos, older spy-photos)
 

Last revised technically: Oct. 25th '99  Visits since Dec. 18th '97 ....

[Sign Guestbook] [View Guestbook]

.........

---

IF YOU LIKE TO INCLUDE ANY MATERIAL FROM THIS SITE INTO YOURS PLEASE ASK BEFORE

---

©1997-1999 by MBEP webmaster This is a private, non-commercial home page.  For detailed disclaimer click here