Photo: Daimler AG
The top of the range model of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has almost always been the S 600, and the latest iteration of the model has just been officially revealed, with its public premiere to take place at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, in Detroit.
“The S-Class has always been the embodiment of our claim to deliver the very best in terms of both technology and design” said Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “And our flagship model, the S 600, epitomizes the focus of our development work, the 'Essence of Luxury', in a way that no other model can. Our customers in North America and Asia in particular will enjoy this new top model with its exciting V12 engine.”
As expected, the leaked brochure photos we showed you last week were dead right about the specs of the model.
Its new V12 engine - codenamed M277 - isn't all that new, still being based on the old twin-turbocharged V12 that brought life to the now-defunct Maybach models and every other V12 Mercedes-Benz in the last eleven years.
The 5.580 cc displacement is identical to the one from the S 65 AMG and obviously larger than the 5.513 cc of the previous model.
Despite this, its fuel consumption is now a staggering 21 percent lower than its V221 predecessor. Already meeting the Euro 6 emission standards, the new S 600 uses just 11.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (21.2 mpg), or about the same as a Mercedes-Benz V6 from the 1990s.
It delivers 530 hp and 830 Nm (612 lb ft) of torque, which is more than enough to launch the new S 600 from naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds and also outshine each one of its V12 competitors.
Other areas where it will downright outshine each and everyone of its competitors will be standard and optional equipment.
In standard, the new Mercedes-Benz S 600 comes with LED Intelligent Light System, Magic Body Control suspension with Road Surface Scan and the Driving Assistance package Plus, which comprises Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Distronic Plus with Steer control and Stop&Go Pilot, Pre-Safe Brake and Pre-Safe Plus.
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