New S-Class

[benyl]

Here are latest photos of various Mercedes S-Class prototypes - one of them caught almost undisguised, another one returning from an apparently heavy duty test in the mud plus a very first shot of the undisguised new dashboard.

The current Mercedes S-Class has been on the market for some time, and with new rivals like the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ, VW Phaeton and Lexus LS 430 improving the class standard, DaimlerChrysler is straining to put all these competitors back in their place with the upcoming S.

Code named W 221, the newcomer will be sportier though again bigger. As can be seen on the prototype shots, the car is indeed considerably longer than the current S-Class -nearly as large as the king-sized S-Class built between 1991 and 1998. Styling is sleek, with the trunk lid and rear end appearing somewhat like that on the Maybach.

As could be seen as a concept at the last Frankfurt Motor Show, DaimlerChrysler is developing a hybrid system that could appear on the next S-Class. But at launch, traditional engines will be available in a range from a 3.5-liter V-6 to a 4.0-liter V-12. Two diesels will be offered: a 3.2-liter V-6 and a 4.0-liter V-8. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system will return, as will an AMG version with a 6.3-liter V-8 and a promised 600-hp power peak.

The next generation S-Class is scheduled for launch in autumn 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

[benyl]

[autospeed]

Not likin that rear end reminds me too much of the Maybach and that wasn't great either. the front's allright, and the profile from the side is a lot sportier, but i'm more of a fan of the current s class.

[badseed]

Oh man........sorry to say but thats pretty hurt'n. I'm not feelin any of the profiles, especially the back

[Idratherbsidewayz]

Looks like a camry in the first two photos...

[Hakkola]

Don't like it, looks cheap and it has a bangle bum. Hopefully mercedes is playing an expensive joke with BMW. What the hell is going on with car designers these days?

[FiveFreshFish]

It's lost its splendor and blends into the crowd.

[/////AMG]

Can't wai tot see one in person, it'llprobably change my view on it. But I'm not a fan opf the headlights

[statick]

i supose its nice, but IMO the best s-class was the W140

[cycosis]

headlights seem to stretched

[BMDUBS]

Love the front but hate the Maybach like rear and Ford focus fender flares. Should have evolutionized the current S class.

[ZorroAMG]

It's alright I guess.. but like most BMW and MB spyshots, these chopped and masked cars don't usually end up looking like the finished product.....the companies ARE getting smarter guys, they KNOW these pics get leaked We'll just have to wait and see it in person...

[gongSHOW]

the backend sort of looks like an Altima , but ZorroAMG is true most likely won't look like that when it comes out

[Neil4Speed]

What ever happened to good ol S-Classes that used to stick out and don't just look like Camry's Altimas etc

Past S-classes were distinctive and really were beautiful cars in my epinion.

I love the first one the best, I am a little biased though

[Kamen]

I still think my 95 S-Class looks the best as in classic/powerful.
Not liking the new designs much for the S-Class, but the other classes are ok.

[Foreign1]

Meh.. headlights wont look like that when in production... theres no way merc isnt going to astonish everybody again... just wait and see!

[statick]

Originally posted by Kamen
I still think my 95 S-Class looks the best as in classic/powerful.
Not liking the new designs much for the S-Class, but the other classes are ok.

[/////AMG]

I'm telling ya it won tlook like that, MB knows th epictures get leaked...so what do you think they'r eup to? They KNOW they'r ebeing leaked, think about it.

[nismodrifter]

I don't know why...but when I look at the rear angle pic it screams W140 at me...not sure why but I just see some similarities between the two (overall shape of the car when looking from rear).

anyhoo....w126 for life yo

[/////AMG]

MBcnada.com great MB site (you have to register to view the spy setion, but worth it!, and has loads of spy pics, the new S-class looks hawt (rear only), front is still growing on me...slowly.

http://www.mbcanada.com/forum/index....topic=6185&hl=

http://www.mbcanada.com/forum/index....topic=6099&hl=