2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Preview

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

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What It is

There are many ways to exhibit wealth, or at least suggest wealth. Some of the more affluent among us have gated homes in exclusive neighborhoods, wear tailored Italian suits, or take joy in philanthropy. The affluent have interests that vary as widely as their methods for evading the Tax Man, but make no mistake - they're all familiar with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. As the company's flagship model, the S-Class must represent all that Mercedes-Benz has to offer, both in terms of style and in terms of substance. With a new look, more power, and a full complement of dizzying technology, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class stands ready to represent.

What's Under the Hood

Upon its introduction in the U.S., the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be offered as either a S500 or S600, both with an extended wheelbase for extra rear seat room. The S500 model will feature a 382-horsepower, 32-valve V8 engine with variable valve timing. S600 models will feature a twelve-cylinder engine that promises more than 500 horsepower. In comparison, the 2005 S-Class S500 offers 302 horsepower and the 2005 S600 pumps out 493 horsepower. A seven-speed automatic transmission manages the power generated by the improved engines, sending it to the rear or all four wheels. On the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class the shifter is a small lever on the steering column; move the lever up for reverse, down for drive, and push a button on the end of the lever for park. Small buttons on the back of the steering wheel allow for manual shift control while driving. Thankfully, and this decision is likely to pay dividends for Mercedes, the 2007 S-Class is not equipped with fussy drive-by-wire systems for the steering and the brakes. Good 'ol hydraulic fluid handles steering assist and brake application, which should translate to excellent road feel and response. Expect the new S-Class to ride on an updated version of the Mercedes Airmatic suspension, complete with software designed to counteract body roll in turns.

Why It Matters

Safety has always been a top engineering priority at Mercedes-Benz. Lately, in addition to creating vehicles that protect during a crash, Mercedes has developed technology that enacts that protection before a crash. This feature, called Pre-Safe, tightens the seatbelts, closes the sunroof, and automatically adjusts the seats to their optimum positions just prior to impact. For the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the system has been improved; it now closes all of the side windows and the seat cushions inflate to keep occupants tight in their seats. Other technologies on the S-Class also promote safety. Intelligent cruise control, known as Distronic in Mercedes-Benz lingo, has been an available safety feature on products wearing the three-pointed star for some time. Using radar technology, this system maintains a pre-determined distance behind other traffic when the cruise control is set. Distronic Plus adds brake-assist programming to the cruise control, which adds brake pressure if an impact is expected. The system works at speeds up to 125 mph, but if you really need help maintaining a safe distance at that speed, we suggest that you reevaluate your driving style. One of the features included in the new Distronic Plus system is Park Assist. Like most electronic parking systems, Park Assist relies on radar in the front and rear bumpers to determine the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's proximity to nearby objects. However, unlike other vehicles that have visible radar sensors on the bumpers, the new S-Class features sensors that are located behind the bumpers, providing for a much cleaner appearance.

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