020 8400 4829New S-class Mercedes for 2012
Earlier this year we published an article ‘The best Chauffeur Car in the World’ and in our experienced but humble opinion, the S-class Mercedes came in at number 1, which is why the arrival of the next big Benz has our pulses racing. The new S, codename W222, will be arriving at a time where sales had been falling in Europe, where the Benz flagship was overtaken by the new Audi A8 and the BMW 7-series. It is a different story in the Middle East, North America and China, as we have realised here at iChauffeur, clients from these region’s simply will not have anything else.
It’s all About the Curves
The next generation S-class has done it’s utmost to disguise itself from the public eye with extensive cladding, so we are not entirely sure of the exact shape, but what we do know is that there will be more sexy curves. At the Detroit show in 2007 the F700 concept car was unveiled and Daimler are expected to adopt styling from this model. By default, what we do know is that the front grill and rear light clusters will be modernised as these areas have been kept secret by the firm.
When does the New Mercedes S-Class Arrive?
For the Chauffeur market 2013, and this time around with four different body styles. As usual you will have the standard wheelbase saloon arriving in 2012, the Long Wheel Base in 2013, a coupe (which will replace the CL) and a stunning looking convertible in 2014 which will take 4 passengers. Quite disappointing that the chauffeur version with the extra leg room is not coming first but Daimlers plan is to widen the S-class market across the board which is made quite obvious by offering a convertible.
What’s New For The 2012 S-Class?
The W222 rear-wheel drive Merc’s will adopt MRA, which is short for Mercedes Rear-wheel drive Architecture and a new four-link front suspension and in the rear a new multilink arrangement. It will also have Magic Body control MBC which compensates road irregularities promising an even better ride than before, with 2 cameras scanning the road ahead, the magical system will change the ride before you hit the bumps. MLC or Magic Light Control is another magic trick from the firms box which adapts its light patterns from the steering angle, weather and speed. One thing that is paramount to drivers that Daimler have advanced is an easy to use command system (probably a single controller) with more integration on the steering wheel. Mercedes Benz is looking to change the screen in the centre consul for a larger TFT multiple-imagert display in the drivers primary field of vision. In true Star Trek style, that is something I am looking foreword to seeing.
What about the Lumps?
Well it’s V6 and V8 petrol and the V6 has stop-start technology and revised direct injection which will apparently improve the fuel economy by 24 per cent. The V8 engine has 429bhp, and 32 per cent more torque, but improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The diesel version called the S250 CDI will have 204bhp and promises some dynamic savings in fuel and this version may be adapted into a hybrid version with a new battery from Litec. Sources say that Mercedes are working hard on hybrid technology but it’s unlikely to appear for quite a few years probably around 2014. It goes without saying that a stupidly quick AMG version will arrive and sources say 650bhp will be the mark.
Verdict
We are having some!
