Please Let it Snow
June 1, 2007
A patch of snow was all that
remained on the twisty roads of upstate New York. Usually, in the beginning of
January, the state is knee-deep in powdery white. But to the chagrin of
Mercedes-Benz, irregular weather patterns had New Yorkers wearing shorts and
t-shirts just days before a snow-requisite media drive at Lake Placid.
Fortunately, the company did not heed the weather reports and I found myself
driving a 2007 S550 4Matic through a muddy autocross at the airport.
The 2007 S550 4Matic is 145 pounds heavier than a
rear-wheel-drive model, but with 45 percent of the torque going to the front
wheels, the weight is well balanced, especially on less-than-ideal road
conditions. The engine—a 5.5-liter V-8—supplies 382 hp and 391 ft lbs of torque
to the wheels. The old 3-valve system is out, and for good reason. A return to
4-valves per cylinder adds 80 hp, giving the S550 a zero-to-60 mph time of just
over five seconds, without a loss in fuel economy. The 2007 4Matic system for
the S550 ($89,525) is the first iteration of a more powerful and efficient
all-wheel-drive layout. Expect to see the fourth-generation 4Matic system make
its way through several of Mercedes’ sedan and wagon models. For now, the 2007
S550 4Matic proves you don’t need a Geländewagen to kick up some snow. All you
need is the snow.
Mercedes-Benz
www.mbusa.com
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