2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: What's New

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes’ flagship S-Class full-size sedan seats five in two luxurious rows. A number of different powerful engines are available, as are high-performance AMG editions. The S-Class shares luxury-sedan real estate with competitors like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

New for 2012
For 2012, a diesel-powered S350 Bluetec all-wheel-drive version is available, and the S550 features a new 4.6-liter V-8 with direct injection that makes 429 horsepower.

Exterior
The S-Class receives no major styling changes for 2012. Exterior features include:

• S400 Hybrid has 18-inch 10-spoke wheels
• S63 AMG has 20-inch twin five-spoke wheels
• Available LED daytime running lights

Interior
Chrome and wood accents adorn the inside of the S-Class, which has room for up to five people. As opposed to a console-located gearshift, the driver selects Park, Drive and Reverse via a stalk on the right side of the steering column. Drivers who wish to manually control the automatic transmission can use shift paddles on the steering wheel. Interior features include:

• Standard “mbrace” telematics system
• Comand system with 7-inch dash screen and center-console control knob
• Split-view dashboard screen can show different content at same time for driver and passenger
• Optional massaging front seats
• Massive backseat
• Optional infrared night-vision system projects black-and-white video image on instrument cluster display
• Optional lane departure warning system and driver drowsiness monitor

Under the Hood
In addition to the hybrid V-6 and diesel V-6, available engines include two V-8s and two V-12s, all of which team with automatic transmissions. Mechanical features include:

• S400 Hybrid has a 3.5-liter V-6 and a seven-speed automatic with a total system output of 295 hp
• S350 has a 240-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V-6 and a seven-speed automatic
• S550 features a new 429-hp, 4.6-liter direct-injection V-8 and drives a seven-speed automatic
• S600 powered by a 510-hp, twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-12 and features a five-speed automatic
• S63 AMG has a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 that makes 536 hp, works with a seven-speed automatic and includes a start/stop feature (optional Performance Package increases output to 563 hp)
• S65 AMG uses a 621-hp, twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 and a five-speed automatic
• Rear- or all-wheel drive

Safety
Safety features include Mercedes-Benz’s Pre-Safe system, which can tighten the front seat belts, close the sunroof and side windows, and adjust passenger seats for optimal safety when it senses an impending collision. The S-Class can also get Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control and Pre-Safe Brake. Pre-Safe Brake works in conjunction with Distronic Plus radar signals and can slow the car automatically to lessen the severity of a collision. Standard safety features include:

• Antilock brakes
• Front and rear side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Active front head restraints
• Electronic stability system