Collection Gift Guide: S is for Spectacular
December 1, 2005
2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The ninth-generation Mercedes-Benz
S-Class—introduced as a 2007 model—has a tough act to follow: The model it
replaces bows out as the best-selling luxury sedan model of all time, with sales
nearing 500,000 since its 1998 debut. And there is no question that executives
at one of the world’s oldest automakers could use another home run. Concerns
about overall production quality have slightly tarnished the three-pointed star,
and neither the Maybach nor the McLaren SLR—both halo vehicles intended to
enhance the company’s image—has generated much enthusiasm or sales. It bodes
well that Chrysler’s miracle worker Dieter Zetsche now holds the reins of parent
company DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-Benz, but it will take a successful launch
of the new flagship S-Class to demonstrate that the company is again on
track.
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(Click to enlarge image.)There are no guarantees. Down in Munich, BMW bungled—some would say Bangled—the design of its latest 7 Series with dramatic new exterior styling that many considered ungainly. Some wondered if Mercedes would learn from BMW’s missteps, and the new S-Class’s aggressive redesign has raised eyebrows. Hans-Dieter Futschik, the design director for passenger cars, says that the previous S-Class was almost too pretty—he wanted a more “dominant, muscular stance.” The iconic Mercedes grille now has an upright prominence, and outsize wheel arches lend a broad-shouldered effect. The rear deck lid bears a resemblance to the “Bangle bulge” that proved so controversial on the big BMW, but Futschik dismisses any direct comparison to the 7 Series, explaining that the raised deck balances the car’s brawny theme and provides increased trunk capacity. Dimensionally larger in every aspect, the new S-Class stretches its wheelbase 3.1 inches to a total of 124.6 inches, and overall length gains 1.7 inches to 205 inches. The car is also 1.1 inches taller and .7 inches wider.
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The flagship from Mercedes-Benz is bigger than ever, but the angular design and
sharp steering make it feel smaller. (Click image to enlarge.) The car’s design works. A silver S600 shimmering under the Italian sun conveyed a sense of power and elegance as it awaited a drive from Milan to Lake Como. There are hints of Maybach—especially when viewed from the rear—but the S-Class has a more dynamic presence. Even aggressive Italian drivers moved to the autostrada’s right lane as the S600 appeared in their rearview mirrors, and normally surly Swiss border guards supplemented their curt waves with the glimmer of smiles.
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