Mercedes-Benz S Class W221
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Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
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Production | 2005–2013 |
Model years | 2006-2013 Europe 2007-2014 Canada & US |
Assembly | Sindelfingen, Germany Toluca, Mexico 6th of October City, Egypt (EGA) Pekan, Malaysia (DRB-HICOM) |
Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W220 |
Successor | Mercedes Benz W222 |
Class | Full-size luxury car |
Body style | 4-door sedan |
Platform | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
Engine | 2.1L diesel 204 PS (150 kW) L4 3.0L diesel 235 PS (173 kW) V6 3.5L 272 PS (200 kW) V6 4.0L diesel 320 PS (240 kW) V8 4.6L 340 PS (250 kW) V8 4.7L 435 PS (320 kW) V8 5.5L 381 PS (280 kW) V8 5.5L 517 PS (380 kW) V12 biturbo 6.2L AMG 525 PS (386 kW) V8 6.0L AMG 612 PS (450 kW) V12 biturbo |
Transmission | 7-speed G-Tronic automatic 5-speed G-Tronic automatic |
Wheelbase | 3,035 mm (119.5 in) LWB: 3,165 mm (124.6 in) |
Length | 2006-08 SWB: 5,076 mm (199.8 in) 2009- SWB: 5,079 mm (200.0 in) 2006-08 LWB: 5,206 mm (205.0 in) 2009- LWB: 5,209 mm (205.1 in) |
Width | 2006-08: 1,871 mm (73.7 in) 2009- 1,872 mm (73.7 in) BlueHybrid: 83.3 in (2,116 mm) |
Height | 1,473 mm (58.0 in) |
Curb weight | from 1,955 kg (4,310 lb) [S320 CDI] to 2,270 kg (5,000 lb) [S65 AMG] |
Designer(s) | Gorden Wagener (2001) |
The Mercedes-Benz W221 is a chassis code of S-Class, the successor of Mercedes-Benz W220.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Styling
The W221 S-Class' exterior styling is distinctly different to the W220. The rear styling is similar to the Mercedes-Benz Maybach - the larger saloon from Daimler AG's flagship brand, which was presented to public in 1997. Development began in 1999, with the design work beginning in 2000 at the Advanced Design Center in Tokyo, and the final design by Gorden Wagener at the Sindelfingen Advanced Design Center being approved in 2001, frozen for production in early 2002 and patented in Germany on December 4, 2003. A final design prototype W221 was presented in December 2002 to Autospies journalists at a consumer design clinic, 2.5 years prior to the official production model unveiling in June 2005.
Inside, the W221’s interior is also significantly different from the preceding model. The interior features an instrument cluster shroud that also contains the navigation screen, with silver effect air vents below, and a square, analog clock within the vents. Below the vents are metal tab switches with a black field behind them, to control the HVAC system. On the center console, a metal control wheel for the COMAND system sits above a piece of wood, surrounded by metal buttons. Throughout the interior, many buttons are metal, with black fields above them denoting the switches' function.
The W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions than the W220, with a longer wheelbase and more interior room.
The S-Class is available in short-wheelbase form, except in the USA,Mexico,Russia, China and Indonesia,where all models are long-wheelbase.
Models
2009 facelift
Development to further refine the W221 started in 2006 with these design changes being approved in early 2007. The revised 2010 S-Class was announced on April 8, 2009 at Stuttgart. The minor model update includes minor cosmetic changes and several new features:
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist - detects vehicles with their lights on which are travelling towards or ahead of the car in which the system is fitted and controls the headlamps to ensure the largest possible range without dazzling other drivers.
- Blind Spot Assist - warning indicator on side mirror activates if vehicle detected in blind spot.
- Lane Keeping Assist - detects road markings and senses if the driver is inadvertently straying out of the lane. If so, the driver is warned by short vibrations of the steering wheel. This system can also distinguish between intentional (for example, overtaking or merging) and unintentional lane departures, reducing the number of false alarms.
- Speed Limit Assist - identifies speed limit signs in passing and shows the relevant speed limit in the central display. It is standard for S 600.
- Attention Assist - continuously monitors more than 70 different parameters to detect driver fatigue and tiredness. Once the system detects behaviour that typically indicates the onset of drowsiness, a warning signal is sounded and "ATTENTION ASSIST. Break!" appears in the instrument cluster. It is not standard on the S 400 HYBRID.
- Active Body Control (ABC) crosswind compensation - uses the sensors of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to vary the wheel load distribution via the ABC spring struts, depending on the direction and intensity of the crosswind, in order to reduce the adverse effects of crosswinds. This is standard on the S 600.
- Torque Vectoring Brake - brakes the inside rear wheel during cornering to enhance handling and safety by reducing understeer.
The updated models went on sale in June 2009. Early models included: S 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, S 450 CDI, S 350, S 400 HYBRID, S 450, S 500, S 600.
S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (2008–2009)
It is a replacement of S 320 CDI with improved fuel efficiency. Changes include: on-demand electric hydraulic power steering pump, standstill decoupling for the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, and 17-inch light-alloy wheels with reduced rolling resistance tyres.
S 400 Hybrid (2009-2013)
The S400 BlueHybrid is a mild hybrid and the first hybrid car to adopt a lithium ion battery.The battery pack was supplied by Continental AG and the cells were provided by Johnson Controls-Saft.The S400 BlueHybrid was unveiled in the 2009 Chicago Auto Show US models went on sale in August 2009 but were delivered to dealers in 2009-10.Japan models went on sale in October 2009.
ESF 2009 (2009)
It is a safety research vehicle based on S 400 Hybrid, but with braking bag, Interactive Vehicle Communication.
S 420 CDI (2006–2009)
The vehicles were delivered beginning in December 2006, with MSRP of short-wheelbase model at €84,448 (net price € 72,800) and the long-wheelbase model at € 92,104 (net price € 79,400).
S 450 CDI (2009–2010)
The V8 diesel was updated to offer more power (235 kilowatts / 320 horsepowers DIN) while reducing emissions and fuel consumptions. In spite of same displacement, the model designation is S450 CDI.
S 600 Guard (2006–2013)
It is an armoured vehicle with European B6/B7 resistance level. It resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive charges. Additional safety features include run-flat tyres, 90L self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system. Other features include Michelin PAX 245-700 R470 AC tires, optional emergency fresh-air system, pneumatic emergency control system for the power windows (operates independently of the on-board electronics), emergency boot opening facility, optional Panic Alarm System, rear camera, heated front windscreen and heated front windows, adjustable doorhold system for all four doors, rear doors that are pulled shut automatically over the last few millimetres, rear electric roller blinds. The vehicle has top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), with GVW of 4,200 kg (9,300 lb)
S 600 Guard Pullman (2008–2013)
It was based on the Mercedes Benz S 600 L Guard, but in limousine form with an extra-long wheelbase. It includes a rear entrance with increased headroom, 4 seats behind driver partition. Other features included reinforcement of the links between the suspension components and the bodyshell, specifically targeted modification of the suspension components themselves, an additional brace (strut tower brace) between the front suspension struts, two additional steel springs at the rear to complement the air suspension, larger twin-calliper front brake discs.
S-600P
The Mercedes Benz Mexico factory in Toluca also produces a police spec model of the S-600, the S-600P. The S-600P is similar to the standard S-600, but is equipped with the dual turbocharged V-12 engine of the S65 AMG and includes police lights, siren, run flat tires, a gun mount, a Lanix computer station integrated with the host police network, optional prisoner cage and restraint seats, and level B6/B7 armoring. The S-600P is only built in Mexico and only comes in long-wheelbase version. The Mexican government uses S-600Ps mainly for transporting important figures, but several police departments in wealthier cities in the country use them as patrol vehicles, as does the Mexican Federal Police in limited numbers. A small number of S-600P were purchased by the police department of Guangzhou, China, for protection of key government figures.
S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG
S 63 AMG includes Mercedes-Benz M156 V8 engine rated 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) and 630 N·m (465 lbf·ft)with it does 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph) .
The Interior of the S63 AMG comes in supple German Leather, coming in the standard leather, or diamond texture, with black and chrome trim on the dash and center console (front and back row). The S63 comes with a variety of luxury features, including but not limited to: dual-zone automatic climate control, rear-seat DVD entertainment, built-in navigation, and heated and cooled front and rear seats, to name a few in the long list of standard features.
The S63 AMG sports an aluminum and steel body with 19" light-alloy multispoke wheels in the front and back, shod with 255/40 tires in front, and 275/40 tires in the rear, and covered with a high-sheen finish. The S63 will feature LED turn signals in front, and in the back, 52 LEDS form a "C" on both tail lights. In front, the S63 will feature a more pronounced, arrow-shaped radiator grille, and "6.3 AMG" on the front wing, and newly redesigned exterior mirrors. In the rear, the S63 will have new AMG sport exhaust with two sets of double chromed tips. The S63 will also feature squared-off front headlamps with LED lights in addition to the traditional lights.
In 2009, the engines had reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 3%. Styling changes include arrow-shaped radiator grille, AMG-specific daytime running lights, two transverse air outlets on each side, "6.3 AMG" lettering on the front wings, redesigned exterior mirrors, 52-LED tail lights. Active Body Control provides crosswind stabilisation as standard equipment. Torque Vectoring Brake is added. Interior include PASSION leather upholstery, AMG-specific analogue clock featuring an IWC design.
S 65 AMG includes Mercedes-Benz M275 V12 engine rated 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp) and 1,000 N·m (738 lbf·ft), restyled front and rear bumpers and rocker panels, larger wheels, brakes, and tires, four exhaust pipes, modified and reprogrammed suspension for sport biased handling, and various interior changes. Apart from the higher output engine, many of the AMG modifications give the S65 AMG a distinctly different character than the S600 base V12 model
Mercedes-Benz Concept Ocean Drive (2007)
It is a concept vehicle based on long-wheelbase version of S 600, but with two-tone yarn fabric roof. The vehicle features an oversized grille, redesigned LED headlights and restyled trunk, LED head and tail lamps, a revised air dam, restyled flanks without the wheelhouse bulges, door handles that fit flush into the body, AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, on all 4 seats. The car also contains pillarless windows that provide an unobstructed view for occupants when the large soft top is down.
James bond in a Mercedes-Benz S 500 W221 for a short while in skyfall
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W221 in Casino Royale
Related
Technical
Options: Equipment included on some trim levels - ABS
- Alarm
- Alloy wheels
- Audio remote
- CD
- Climate control
- Cloth seat trim
- Cruise control
- Driver`s airbag
- Electric driver`s seat
- Electric mirrors
- Electric passenger`s seat
- Electric sunroof
- Front electric windows
- Front fog lights
- Headlight washers
- Heated mirrors
- Heated seats
- Height adjustable drivers seat
- Leather seat trim
- Metallic Paint
- Parking sensors
- PAS
- Passenger`s airbag
- Rear electric windows
- Remote locking
- Service indicator
- Side airbags
- Steering wheel rake adjustment
- Steering wheel reach adjustment
- Traction control