2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 550 Sedan

• 18 5-spoke aluminum wheels
• Active bi-xenon automatic headlamps -inc: automatic level control, heated headlamp washers, adaptive high beam assist, cornering fog lights
• Front halogen foglamps
• Infrared-reflecting & noise insulating glass
• P255/45R18 all-season tires
• Pwr auto-folding heated mirrors -inc: memory, auto-dimming driver mirror, integrated LED turn signals
• Pwr tilt/slide tinted glass sunroof -inc: 1-touch open, sunroof memory
• Rain-sensing aero-blade windshield wipers w/heated washer system
• Single rear foglamp
• Variable doorstop

• (3) rear pwr retractable adjustable head restraints
• 14-way pwr heated & ventilated front bucket seats -inc: pwr lumbar, 3-position driver seat memory
• Active adjustable front head restraints
• Adjustable fiber-optic ambient lighting feature
• Anti-theft client alarm notification w/remote panic feature
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Automatic dual-zone climate control -inc: electrostatic dust & pollen filters, sun, humidity & dew point sensors, seat belt usage sensors (allows climate control to focus first on occupied seats)
• Auxiliary pwr outlet
• Burl walnut interior wood trim
• COMAND cockpit management & data system -inc: AM/FM/WeatherBand stereo, in-dash 6-disc CD/DVD changer, MP3 capability, audio input jack, Sirius satellite radio w/real-time traffic, HD radio, (15)-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, PCMCIA memory card slot, media interface in glovebox, Zagat Survey ratings guide, Bluetooth hands-free communication, voice control, 40-GB hard-drive-based GPS navigation system
• Cruise control
• Digital instrumentation -inc: speedometer, odometer, Touch Shift gear & shift modes selection, tachometer, fuel gauge
• Dual front/rear reading lamps
• Front/rear floor mats
• Integrated HomeLink compatible (3) button garage door opener
• Leather seat trim
• Locator lighting
• Mercedes-Benz Maintenance System Plus display -inc: distance remaining to next maintenance, type of service due, reminders
• Multi-function displays in instrument cluster faces -inc: trip computer, exterior temp gauge, maintenance system, oil level check, digital speedometer, reminder & malfunction messages, driver-programmable settings, audio status, navigation route guidance
• Night security illumination
• Pwr 4-way tilt/telescopic steering column -inc: memory, programmable easy-exit feature
• Pwr rear window sunshade w/1-touch up/down
• Pwr trunk closer
• Pwr windows w/1-touch express up/down
• Quad illuminated vanity mirrors
• Rear window defroster w/auto-shutoff
• SmartKey infrared remote -inc: remote central locking, trunk open, panic alarm, fuel filler door, selective unlock, windows & sunroof open/close, active ventilated front seats on, automatic locking
• Steering wheel mounted controls -inc: audio, voice, telephone, multi-function display
• Steering wheel shift paddles
• Wood & leather-wrapped steering wheel

• 5.5L DOHC 32-valve V8 engine
• 7-speed automatic transmission -inc: Touch Shift
• Airmatic semi-active suspension w/adaptive damping system (ADS II)
• Electronic parking brake w/automatic disengagement
• Independent 4-link front suspension -inc: anti-lift control, gas shocks, stabilizer bar
• Independent 5-arm multi-link rear suspension -inc: anti-squat & anti-dive systems
• Pwr perforated/vented front & vented rear disc brakes
• Pwr vehicle-speed-sensitive rack & pinion steering
• Rear wheel drive

• 3-point front seat belts -inc: emergency tensioning device, adaptive force limiter, automatic shoulder belt height-adjusters
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) w/brake assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness monitor
• Child safety rear door locks
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Emergency interior trunk release w/illumination
• Front dual-stage airbags w/adaptive front passenger airbag
• Front passenger occupant classification system
• Front/rear side airbags
• Front/rear side curtain airbags w/rollover sensor
• LED daytime running lamps
• mbrace -inc: stolen vehicle recovery, remote door unlock service, automatic alarm & collision notification
• PRE-SAFE collision preparedness system
• Rear 3-point seat belts -inc: automatic shoulder belt height-adjuster, outboard emergency tensioning device, outboard belt force limiter
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Universal LATCH (lower anchors & tethers for children) system

Model Highlights

Mercedes-Benz is in the process of upgrading and improving its engine lineup, and the S-Class is a perfect example of the direction the company is going. It offers two eco-friendly engines -- a diesel and a hybrid -- two V8s and two V12s. The new kid on the block is the S350 BlueTEC turbodiesel, a 3.0L V6 that makes 241 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The S400 hybrid introduced in 2010 continues with a mild hybrid using a 3.5-liter V6 with 275 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and a mild hybrid system to assist the gasoline engine for 30 percent better fuel economy than the S550. The S550 motors on with no changes to its V8 engine, which makes 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V12-powered S600 also has few changes to its powerplant, which makes 510 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. At the top end, the S63 AMG gets an all-new 5.5-liter V8 with 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, plus stop-start technology and a 7-speed AMG transmission to keep fuel use relatively reasonable. The S65 AMG continues to utilize its V12 engine, which this year makes 17 more horsepower for a total of 621 hp, plus its 738 lb-ft of torque. Across the board, the S-Class gets some new technology upgrades. Some are safety-oriented, such as Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist, both of which can trigger automatic brake intervention. Attention Assist detects drowsy drivers and is standard on all but the hybrid, and the standard Adaptive High Beam Assist monitors approaching headlights and dims its own to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. Some of the new technology is less about safety and more about creature comforts, like the available Splitview screen, which allows the driver and passenger to watch different things, like a navigation system on the left and a movie on the right.