2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The world's most successful luxury car (W 221- series S-Class) which has sold 270,000 units in four years of production is now being replaced. Since the Model 220 came about in 1951 and started the lineage of the S-Class, German powerhouse Mercedes-Benz has sold around 3.3 million S-Class units.
Focusing on design and comfort with leading innovations Mercedes-Benz is now releasing the 2009 S-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a huge range of engines available including one V6 turbo diesel and five petrol engines, including six, eight and twelve cylinders. These engines produce the same high output as the previous model while consuming up to seven percent less fuel.
Low rolling resistant tyres, steering and fuel pump modifications combined with the 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox can reduce fuel consumption to 7.7 litres per 100kms in the S 350 CDI Blue Efficiency with 173kw.
Complementing the usual high safety standards expected from the S-Class is a range of new camera and radar driver assisted devices. These include ATTENTION ASSIST that detects driver drowsiness as well as Adaptive Highbeam Assist.
Night View Assist Plus can detect pedestrians, highlighting them on the display to make the noticeable.
Direct-Steer and modified Active Body Control with cross wind stabilisation for the eight and twelve cylinder models offer more agility and driving enjoyment.
Available in Mercedes-Benz showrooms and authorised dealerships from October 2009.
Australian Prices for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
| Model | Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP)
| On Sale
|
| S 350 | $214,900
| Now
|
| S 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (BE) | $214,900
| Now
|
| S 350 L | $232,900
| Now
|
| S 500 | $289,900
| Now
|
| S 500 L | $307,900
| Now
|
| S 63 AMG | $380,900
| Now
|
| S 600 L | $402,900
| Now
|
| S 65 AMG L | $482,900
| Now
|
The prices detailed in this document are current Manufacturer’s List Prices (MLP) for the Mercedes-Benz S 350, S 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, S 350 L, S 500, S 500 L, S 63 AMG, S 600 L, and S 65 AMG L.
- The attached pricing is an MLP
- That the MLP excludes on road costs and dealer delivery, and
- For drive away price information, you should contact Mercedes-Benz dealers.
Equipment List
| Cornering lights: this function of the bi-xenon headlamps and the Intelligent Light System provides more safety on junctions and when driving slowly on tight bends. | Standard
|
| Active Body Control (ABC): active suspension system that adapts the springs to the current driving situation within fractions of a second. | Optional S 500 (standard for S 63 AMG, S 600 & S 65 AMG)
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| ADAPTIVE BRAKE: this Mercedes brake system offers assistance functions, such as a HOLD function and Hill Start Assist, for even greater safety and comfort. | Standard
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| Adaptive front airbags: the front airbags deploy in two stages, depending on accident severity. | Standard
|
| Adaptive Highbeam Assist: this system dips the beams and adjusts the range of the headlamps in accordance with the distance to oncoming vehicles/vehicles travelling ahead. | Standard
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| Adaptive brake lights: flashing brake lights warn vehicles behind in an emergency braking situation. | Standard
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| AIRMATIC: the air suspension worked together with an electronically controlled damping system. | Standard for all V6 and V8 engine variants
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| Active multicontour seats: depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and speed, the inflation pressure and volume of the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests are varied to give the driver and front passenger even better lateral support. The seats also have comfort head restraints and a massage function. | Optional as part of Front Seat Comfort package (standard for S 63 AMG, S 600 & S 65 AMG)
|
| Active Light System: the Intelligent Light System's bi-xenon headlamps follow the driver's steering movements. | Standard
|
| Ambient lighting: when driving at night, optical fibres behind the trim on the dashboard and door panels provide a pleasant lighting atmosphere in the interior. | Standard
|
| ATTENTION ASSIST: this system warns the driver when it detects signs of drowsiness. | Standard
|
| Motorway mode: from 90 km/h the entire width of the carriageway is illuminated, improving the driver’s range of vision by around 50 metres; part of the Intelligent Light System | Standard
|
| Bi-xenon headlamps: gas-discharge lamps for low and high beam improve safety at night. | Standard
|
| Bluetooth interface: the mobile phone is wirelessly linked to the hands-free system. | Standard
|
| Brake Assist PLUS: this system uses radar sensors to recognise an impending rear-end collision, calculates the necessary degree of braking assistance and makes it available immediately when the driver depresses the brake pedal. | Standard
|
| COMAND APS: the navigation data are stored on a hard disc. Further functions include the MUSIC REGISTER and voice control. | Standard
|
| Digital radio: a special DAB+ tuner (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and additional aerials is required to allow the reception of Australian digital radio broadcasts. | DAB+ tuner not expected until late 2010
|
| DIRECT SELECT: seven-speed automatic transmission operated electronically using a lever on the steering column. | Standard
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| Direct-Steer: a variable steering rack ratio depending on the steering angle allows more agile handling and provides more comfort when parking and manoeuvring at slow speed. | Standard
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| DISTRONIC PLUS: this radar-based proximity control system automatically helps the driver to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. It can brake the S-Class to a standstill if necessary, then accelerate again. If the distance to the vehicle ahead decreases too quickly, the system gives the driver visual and audible warnings. | Standard
|
| Enhanced foglamps: This function of the Intelligent Light System pivots the offside headlamp outwards to illuminate the road verge more effectively. | Standard
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| ESP®: This safety system is able to reduce the risk of skidding in bends, and warns of pressure loss in the tyres. | Standard
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| Headlamp Assist: a sensor on the windscreen automatically switches the headlamps on when darkness falls. | Standard
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| Rear Seat Entertainment package: the rear faces of the front seat head restraints feature 8-inch displays connected to a DVD player. | Optional (standard S 65 AMG)
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| Gracenote®: database that recognises music tracks on a CD/DVD or from the MUSIC REGISTER and shows the title, album and artist on the colour display. | Standard
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| Belt force limiters: this technology reduces the force exerted by the belt strap on the seat occupant during a crash. | Standard for the front seats and the outer rear seats
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| Belt tensioners: any slack in the seat belt strap is instantly taken up during a crash to reduce the forward movement of the occupants caused by the impact. | Standard for all seats
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| Intelligent Light System: This innovative headlamp technology provides five lighting functions which are activated depending on the driving and weather conditions (also see Cornering lights, Country mode, Motorway mode, Active Light System and Enhanced foglamps). | Standard
|
| KEYLESS-GO: the doors and boot can be opened without a key. It is sufficient to carry the KEYLESS-GO transponder on the person and operate the door handle. Merely operating the start/stop key is sufficient to start the engine. | Standard
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| Automatic climate control: this system controls four temperature zones and offers numerous adjustments for individual passenger comfort. | Standard
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| Kneebag: an additional airbag is able to reduce the loads acting on the driver during a frontal collision | Standard
|
| Individual comfort seats: a seat unit with two comfortable, individual seats, a folding armrest, heating, comfort head restraints, a stowage box and cupholders is available for passengers in the rear. | Optional (standard for long-wheelbase variants)
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| Comfort telephony: the driver and passengers are able to conduct onboard telephone conferences by mobile phone, and send or receive SMS messages. The phone is housed in a cradle under the armrest. | Standard
|
| Paintwork: Nano-technology makes the paintwork more scratch-resistant and ensures a glossier sheen. | Standard
|
| Country mode: this function of the Intelligent Light System replaces the previous low-beam headlamps and provides broader and brighter illumination of the opposite road verge. | Standard
|
| LINGUATRONIC: the voice control system operates the radio, CD/DVD-player, CD/DVD-changer, navigation system and telephone. | Standard
|
| Media Interface: this universal interface allows portable audio devices to be connected to and controlled by the infotainment system of the S-Class. | Standard
|
| Memory function: three memory settings are stored for both the driver's and the front passenger seat. The settings for the steering wheel and exterior mirrors are also stored. | Standard
|
| Multifunction steering wheel: the radio, telephone, navigation system, display and other devices can be controlled from the steering wheel. | Standard
|
| Multicontour seats: inflatable air chambers enable the seat contours and seat cushion length to be adjusted to the individual occupant. | Optional as part of the Rear Seat Comfort package (standard S 63 AMG, S 600 & S 65 AMG)
|
| MUSIC REGISTER with a 7.2 GB hard disc which stores around 2500 digital music files in the MP3, AAC or WMA format. These can be loaded from PC memory cards. | Standard
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| Music Search: search function that searches SD memory cards, USB sticks, CDs and DVDs for specific music tracks and performers. | Standard
|
| Night View Assist PLUS: the display in the dashboard shows a realistic grey-scale image from an infrared camera that monitors the road ahead of the S-Class. Any pedestrians detected are additionally highlighted in the display. | Optional S 350 / S 350 CDI Blue EFFICIENCY
|
| NECK-PRO head restraints: crash-responsive head restraints are able to support the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage during a rear-end collision, reducing the risk of a whiplash injury. | Standard
|
| PARKTRONIC including Parking Guidance: ultrasonic sensors measure the length of parking spaces as the car drives past; instructions for safe parking appear in the display. | Standard
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| PRE-SAFE®: if the system recognises a critical driving situation, it takes precautionary measures to protect the occupants. It can e.g. initiate tensioning of the front seat belts, or closing of the wide windows and sliding sunroof. | Standard
|
| PRE-SAFE® Brake: if there is imminent danger of a rear-end collision, this system brakes the S-Class automatically if the driver fails to react. | Standard
|
| Reversing camera: the area behind the S-Class is shown in the COMAND display, and coloured directional lines show a precisely calculated path into a parking space. | Standard
|
| Crosswind stabilisation: effects of crosswind are largely compensated. | Standard as part of Active Body Control for the S63 AMG, S 600 & S 65 AMG( optional S 500)
|
| Sidebags: these side-mounted airbags reduce the loads acting on the occupants during a side impact. | Standard for the front and outer rear seats
|
| 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission: this automatic transmission is installed in all the V6 and V8 variants. | Standard for all V6 and V8 engine variants
|
| SPLITVIEW: the driver and front passenger are able to view different content on one and the same screen at the same time. | Standard
|
| Lane Keeping Assist: a camera behind the windscreen recognises clear carriageway markings and gives a warning if the car unintentionally leaves its lane. | Standard
|
| harman kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system: a multi-channel system with innovative digital technology, an output of 610 watts and 14 loudspeakers provides surround-sound for every seat. | Standard
|
| Torque Vectoring Brake: by specifically braking the rear wheels, ESP® ensures more safety at the physical limits without any loss of agility. | Standard
|
| Blind Spot Assist: this radar-based system warns the driver before a lane-change if it detects another vehicle in the exterior mirror's blind spot. | Standard
|
| Windowbags: like a curtain, these large airbags extend from the A to the C-pillar in a side impact. | Standard
|
A brief overview of the special technical features in the individual model series:
Model 220, W 187 series (1951 to 1954)
- Newly designed six-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft
- Patented safety conical-pin locks prevent doors from jumping open in an accident
- Fan heater available
- Duplex drum brakes at the front
Models 220 a, 220 S and 220 SE, W 180/128 series (1954 to 1959)
- Unitary body design
- Front suspension subframe
- Single-link swing axle with low centre of gravity
- Brake drums with "turbocooling"
- "Hydrak" automatic hydraulic clutch (available from 1957)
Models 220 b, 220 Sb, 220 SEb, 300 SE, W 111/112 series (1959 to 1965)
- Rigid safety passenger compartment with energy-absorbing crumple zones at the front and rear
- Steering wheel with padded boss and elimination of sharp edges in the interior
- Conical-pin door lock with two safety catches
- Disc brakes (300 SE, 220 S/SE from 1962)
- Three-point seat belts
- Four-speed automatic transmission (available from 1961)
- Air suspension (300 SE)
- Long-wheelbase version available (300 SE)
Models 250 S – 300 SE, 300 SEL – 300 SEL 6.3, W 108/109 series (1965 to 1972)
- Safety steering system comprising telescopic steering column and steering wheel with impact absorber (from 1967)
- Hydropneumatic compensator spring at the rear axle
- Also available with eight-cylinder engine (from 1967)
S-Class 280 S to 450 SE, 280 SEL to 450 SEL 6.9, W 116 series (1972 to 1980)
- Officially known as the "S-Class" for the first time
- Fuel tank installed above the rear axle for collision protection
- Safety interior (with four-spoke safety steering wheel)
- Safety door handles
- Side windows with anti-soiling measures
- Tail lights with anti-soiling design
- Anti-lock braking system ABS (available from 1978)
- Double-wishbone front suspension from the C 111 experimental vehicle
- First luxury class saloon with a diesel engine (300 SD)
S-Class 260 SE to 560 SE, 300 SEL to 560 SEL, W 126 series (1979 to 1991)
- New safety concept, the world's first series production car to be configured for an asymmetrical, frontal crash (offset crash)
- First use worldwide of a driver airbag and belt tensioner in a series production car (available from 1981)
- Front passenger airbag (available from 1987)
- Three-point seat belts in the rear
- Automatic locking differential
- Acceleration skid control ASR (available from 1985)
S-Class 300 SE 2.8 to S 600; 300 SEL to S 600 long-wheelbase, W 140 series (1991 to 1998)
- Electronic Stability Program ESP® (available from 1995)
- Brake Assist BAS (from 1996)
- Adaptive Damping System ADS (available from 1991)
- Seat belt system with automatic height adjustment
- Sidebags (from 1995)
- First series production Mercedes-Benz car with a twelve-cylinder engine
S-Class S 280 to S 500; S 280 long-wheelbase to S 600, W 220 series (1998 to 2005)
- Belt tensioners and belt-force limiters in the rear
- Automatic child seat detection
- WINDOWBAG
- Occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® (from 2002)
- DISTRONIC proximity control (available from 1998)
- Automatic cylinder cut-out (S 500/S 600)
- KEYLESS-GO (available from 1998)
- AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping system
- COMAND control and display system
- Active Body Control suspension
- Active seat ventilation (available from 1998)
- Bi-xenon headlamps with dynamic beam range control and headlamp cleaning system (available from 2002)
S-Class S 320 CDI to S 500; S 320 CDI long-wheelbase to S 600, W 221 series (2005-2009)
- Brake Assist PLUS with radar sensors
- DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control with extended speed range
- Parking Assist based on radar
- Dynamic multicontour seat with extended massage function
- Night View Assist with infrared technology
- Further development of PRE-SAFE® occupant protection
- World's first automobile with an Environmental Certificate
- COMAND system with menu navigation and Controller
- "S/C/M" keys for individual adjustment of the damper and transmission characteristics and the level control system
- Blind Spot Assist (since 2006)
S-Class S 350 to S 500; S 350 L to S 600; W 221 series (2009)
- World's first hybrid drive system with a lithium-ion battery in the S 400 HYBRID
- ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist
- Night View Assist Plus
- Speed Limit Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Further development stage of PRE-SAFE®
- An "electronic crumple zone" - the PRE-SAFE® Brake
- DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS with further developed radar technology
- Torque Vectoring Brake
- Active Body Control with crosswind stabilisation
- Direct-Steer
Power & Fuel Figures
- S 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY - 7.7L/100km - 202 grams per kilometre - 173kW - 520Nm of torque. 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds.
- S 350 - 9.8L/100km - 234 grams per kilometre - 200kW - 350Nm of torque - 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
- S 500 - 10.9L/100km - 260 grams per kilometre - 285kW - 530Nm of torque - 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
- S 600 - 380kW - 830Nm of torque - 0-100km/h 4.6 seconds
- S 63 - 386kW
- S 65 - 450kW
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