Mercedes-Benz S 600 Pricing Info
Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on February 9, 2006
While browsing the MBUSA's auto show news, I noticed a new press
release about the upcoming Mercedes S 600.
I won't go into the specifics of the vehicle, seeing as how we've
already brought you a number of stories dealing with that very
subject, but what caught my eye was the pricing info the press
release contained.
According to MBUSA, the pricing for the S 600 will be $140,675
(compared to $86,175 for the S 550). Both prices include a
destination charge of $775.
Time to sell some shares of Google.
For more info, you can check out a ton of pretty photos by visiting
www.eMercedesBenz.com and the full press release below.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
MERCEDES-BENZ FEATURES NEW S600 SEDAN AT CHICAGO SHOW
V12-Powered S600 Marks Rebirth of the 600-Class “Grand Mercedes”
CHICAGO – Mercedes-Benz is featuring their new 2007 S600 sedan at the
Chicago Auto Show, the largest auto show in North America, open to
the public February 10-19, 2006 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The
first version of the new-generation S-Class with a V12 engine, the
S600 model marks the renaissance of the legendary 600-Class “Grand
Mercedes” and will join the V8-powered S550 that recently made its
retail debut at U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
Fitted with greater levels of wood and leather trim, the new V12-
powered flagship comes with nearly all S-Class options as standard
equipment, including Distronic Plus, infrared Night View Assist,
Parktronic, Keyless Go, rear view monitor, ABC active suspension, 19-
inch alloy wheels, four heated and power-operated seats, four-zone
climate control, and a digital cellular phone with voice control. The
new S600 also comes with two features that are totally new to the S-
Class – rear multi-contour seats and luxury head restraints for both
the front and rear seats. With the S550 priced at $ 86,175, the new
S600 will make its retail debut with a suggested retail price of
$140,675. Both prices include a destination charge of $775.
Twin-Turbo V12 Engine
Powered by a twin-turbo V12 engine that generates 510 horsepower and
an overwhelming 612 lbs.-ft. of torque, the new S600 model blends the
whisper-smooth performance of the flagship Mercedes-Benz four-door
sedan with the astonishing power of a twin-turbo V12 engine. At the
same time, the bi-turbo V12 comes clothed in luxury, convenience and
refinement that define the market segment.
The V12 engine provides effortless thrust with turbine-like
smoothness, featuring a vast torque band with peak torque beginning
as low as 1,800 rpm. With the high-tech engine, smart TouchShift
transmission and state-of-the art aerodynamics, the new S600 can
reach 60 miles per hour in less than 4.5 seconds, quicker than many
out-and-out sports cars.
The twin-turbocharged V12 engine was designed with the goal of
developing the power characteristics of a much larger naturally
aspirated engine. Sophisticated electronic fuel injection and
ignition mapping help reach this goal, along with two intercoolers
that are positioned downstream from the turbos. The 12-cylinder has a
60-degree “V” design, and therefore has the best possible inherent
balance to compensate for vibration forces. The block, cylinder heads
and oil sump are made from die-cast aluminum, with die-cast magnesium
valve covers.
An aluminum bedplate design at the engine bottom end uses cast-iron
crankshaft bearing cap inserts that are cross-bolted. This also
allows the use of an oil pan completely decoupled from the crankcase,
which, in turn, minimizes resonance or combustion vibration.
Combustion noise is also minimized because a dual ignition system
keeps pressure gradients within the chambers at low levels, and the
presence of both turbochargers inherently dampens intake and exhaust
noise.
Lightweight components include magnesium valve covers, aluminum
crankcase sections, Silitec cylinder liners and lightweight hollow-
bore camshafts with indexed, pressure-fit steel lobes.
Because of the V12’s prodigious torque output, the familiar five-
speed Touch Shift automatic transmission went through a comprehensive
fitness program to keep up. To handle the torque, the planetary gear
sets have been widened, and the input and output shafts adjusted
accordingly. Surprisingly, with all the beefing up, the transmission
gained only 4.4 pounds.
A First-Class Cabin
Punctuated by sweeping lines of exotic wood accented with chrome
trim, all S-Class sedans feature high-quality materials throughout
the cabin, forming a luxurious yet practical environment that
emphasizes easy access to vehicle features.
The centerpiece of the S-Class dash is an eight-inch, high-resolution
display for a new COMAND system, positioned high in the dash and
operated by an intuitive COMAND controller on the lower center
console. Instead of requiring occupants to use the COMAND system
exclusively, many vehicle controls are accessible in several ways –
by conventional hard keys, the multifunction steering wheel or voice
control as well as via COMAND.
Among the advanced features of the new car is a slot in the dash that
accepts a memory card. Such cards never need to be charged, and some
versions can hold up to 1500 digital songs. Its data can be displayed
on the COMAND screen, and titles can be selected through either the
COMAND system or the multifunction steering wheel controls.
The S600 front seats are electrically adjustable 16 ways, with 11
individual pneumatic chambers to help occupants find a perfect
seating position, in-seat ventilation fans to keep them cool, and 14
more chambers that provide four levels of pulsating massage to
relieve fatigue and help keep drivers alert. Also standard on the
S600, Drive Dynamic front seats respond to every curve by providing
extra support through the outside seat bolster. Even in a tight “S”
turn, the side bolsters inflate and deflate in a split second to help
keep occupants comfortably in position.
More PRE-SAFEŽ Features
The revolutionary S-Class PRE-SAFEŽ system that made its debut in
2002 on the S-Class automatically tightens the front seat belts
during those valuable seconds just before a possible impact, and the
front passenger seat (and optional power rear seats) move to
positions that can provide better protection. If the system senses a
possible rollover, the sunroof also closes. On the 2007 S-Class, when
PRE-SAFE is activated in response to an impending rollover, side
windows also close to provide better support for the window curtain
air bags, and special seat cushions can inflate to provide greater
lateral support for occupants and to help the side air bags provide
even better collision protection.
New Distronic Plus Helps in Stop-and-Go Traffic
The well-known Distronic adaptive cruise control feature that can
maintain a pre-set following distance behind the vehicle ahead is
replaced by “Distronic Plus,” standard only on the new S600.
Integrated with PRE-SAFE, this latest version of the radar-based
Distronic system operates at nearly all speeds up to 125 mph and can
be especially helpful in stop-and-go traffic. Newly developed short-
range radar with a frequency of 24 gigahertz sweeps the first 33
yards in a fan-shaped 80-degree pattern, working in tandem with a
narrower nine-degree beam of longer-range 77-gigahertz radar. The two
radar frequencies complement each other to cover a full range of more
than 160 yards – more than 1˝ football fields. During the approval
process of the new 24-gigahertz radar frequency for automotive use,
government agencies cited its potential to improve traffic safety,
reduce injuries and ultimately save lives.
Brake Assist Teams Up With Distronic Plus
Making its debut on the 2007 S-Class, an enhanced version of the
Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist system not only supplies appropriate
braking assist during emergency brake application, but in combination
with Distronic Plus, also adjusts brake pressure during pedal
application based on the distance to the vehicle ahead. While
conventional Brake Assist only provides full brake assist when
triggered by the speed of brake pedal application (suggesting an
emergency braking situation), Brake Assist Plus also considers the
closing speed of the vehicle ahead based on radar signals from the
Distronic Plus system.
Brake Assist Plus Can Reduce Rear Collisions by 75 Percent
In extensive tests conducted by Mercedes researchers using 300
drivers, the new integrated system reduced rear collisions in heavy
city traffic by 75 percent. During testing, data recorders and
cameras documented more than 250,000 real-world miles covered by 200
drivers in the U.S. and Europe, while 100 drivers participated in
months of intense testing on the DaimlerChrysler driving simulator in
Berlin.
Radar-Based Park Assist
Distronic Plus also incorporates 24 GHz radar-based Park Assist. This
new option utilizes six radar sensors mounted behind the front and
rear bumpers – eliminating the need for the visible “portholes” of
the previous ultrasonic-based system. The result is clean, integrated
and invisible, with greater range and sensitivity.
Infra-Red Night View Assist
Another standard feature on the S600 is Night View Assist, an
innovative technology that can extend the driver’s ability to see
ahead to nearly 500 feet. An industry first, and in contrast to
passive systems that rely only on thermal imaging, this active system
bathes the road ahead with invisible infra-red light from two
projector beams mounted in the headlights. An infra-red camera
discreetly mounted in the windshield receives the reflected images
and displays them in a high-resolution display in the instrument
cluster. The result is akin to a highly detailed black & white video
image.
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 2005, MBUSA achieved an
all-time sales record of 224,421 new vehicles, setting the highest
sales volume ever in its history and achieving 12 consecutive years
of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be
found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.
For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit
www.eMercedesBenz.com.