(May 16, 2013) With the three engineering priorities "Intelligent Drive," "Efficient Technology" and "Essence of Luxury," the new S-Class extends the boundaries of technology on many levels. The S-Class is not just a technological spearhead for Mercedes-Benz but for automotive development as a whole.

As with every generation before it, the customers expect the new S-Class to set standards across the board to retain its accolade as "the best automobile in the world."



Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said,  "Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class."

Perfection to the last detail results in "The Essence of Luxury." This pursuit of the best is particularly noticeable in the interior: whether it is the seats or the air conditioning, the controls or the design, the infotainment or the comfort and safety in the rear — new ideas, their painstaking realization, and highest perceived quality underpin the high standards that the engineers have set for the Mercedes-Benz flagship model — and for themselves.

The same applies to safety. What started with PRE-SAFE 10 years ago and continued with DISTRONIC PLUS has now resulted in a new dimension of motoring: comfort and safety are merged into one. Mercedes-Benz refers to this as "Intelligent Drive." A whole host of new systems makes the new S-Class even more comfortable and even safer.

The classic Mercedes face runs like a golden thread through the brand's history. "The sophisticated design of the S-Class has always been an expression of luxury and automotive grandeur of its era. And our new S-Class continues this tradition. With its classic architecture and flowing silhouette, it is a modern embodiment of sensual clarity. The design draws a line from the sophisticated, progressive design idiom to the classic elegance of our 1930s cars — intelligence that speaks to the emotions. Stylish sportiness and sensual forms in synthesis with timeless clarity and effortless superiority make the S-Class a true design icon," says design chief Gorden Wagener.

To underline the effortless superiority of the new S-Class, and its ambition to lead, the radiator grille is now larger, upright and distinctly three-dimensional in design.

With its long hood, the flowing, domed roof line and the gently slanting rear end, the new S-Class has classic sedan proportions. The size and space have been fashioned in such a way that the S-Class appears prestigious, and the powerful roof line is also in keeping with the car's sporty coupé-style intentions.

A character line descending discreetly from front to rear — the brand's hallmark "Dropping Line" — elegantly structures the side wall and generates additional dynamism even when the car is at a standstill. The subtly created convexconcave effect of the entire flank gives rise to an extremely powerful and elongated car body that demonstrates both excitement and calm. The pronounced shoulder above the rear wheel adds further emphasis to the car's athletic character.

Initially, the United States will get the S550 with a 4.7-liter V-8 direct-injection twin-turbo engine that generates 455 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive S550 4Matic and S63 high-performance AMG models go on sale in November. Hybrid and diesel models will be launched in 2014.

Mercedes-Benz says the S class will be the world's first car to use LED technology throughout the exterior and interior, meaning there are no light bulbs. Overall, it has nearly 500 light-emitting diodes inside and out, including 300 for the interior.

By switching to LEDs, Mercedes says it has lowered the intensity of the brake lights at night or when the car is stopped at traffic lights "out of consideration for any road users behind."

The S class also has a new generation of driver-assistance packages, with 30 features, that have been combined into what Mercedes-Benz calls Intelligent Drive.

The 2014 S class goes on sale in the United States in September.

Only the S-class sedan variants with a short and long wheelbase have been unveiled. The United States will receive the long wheelbase.

In coming years, the latest S class is expected to be marketed in several new body styles including a stretched wheelbase to replace the Maybach, which was axed because of slow sales, and a convertible.

Mercedes said it sold 65,128 S-class sedans worldwide in 2012, down from 68,969 in 2011.

Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Automotive News