No other car lives up to the high standards so famously and quite as comprehensively as the top model from Mercedes-Benz. The S 600 L with V12 biturbo engine is the top model in the already successfully established S-Class and is available exclusively with long wheelbase and with a luxurious package of equipment and appointments. Its performance data: 390 kW of power and 830 Nm of torque. The S-Class range gets even better in other ways, too: all models in the current range are upgraded with the addition of a head-up display, touchpad and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS.
“The S-Class is the embodiment of our claim to deliver the very best in terms of both technology and design,” says Selvin Govender, Divisional Manager, Product and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
“The S 600 with its exciting and exhilarating V12 engine is our flagship model that epitomises the focus of our development work, the ‘Essence of Luxury’;. Customers will be astounded by the power and grace of the most technologically advanced and luxurious model in its segment,” adds Govender.
With an output of 390 kW, the V12 biturbo engine in the S 600 packs a bigger punch than its predecessor did with 380 kW. The displacement of the engine has increased from 5513 to 5980 cc. A maximum torque of 830 Nm is available from 1900 r/min. The S 600 now for the first time features the ECO start/stop function as standard, significantly contributing to reduced emissions. The combined fuel consumption of the S 600 stands at 11.1 litres/100 km – 20 percent lower than that of its predecessor (14.1 l/100 km).
The most important features of the engine at a glance:
- All-aluminium crankcase
- One-piece chain drive
- Forged crankshaft in high-grade quenched and tempered steel
- Modified forged pistons
- New engine control unit
- New dedicated ignition coil with twin-spark ignition
- Cam follower
- 2 intake and one outlet valves (3-valve technology)
- Hollow-stem outlet valves, filled with sodium
- Low-temperature cooling-water circulation with separate expansion reservoir.
7G-TRONIC PLUS: outstandingly smooth gear changes as standard
All new S-Class models feature the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever as standard. The features of the latest version to emerge include a new torque converter with reduced slip, an ECO shift mode with a wider ratio spread and an auxiliary oil pump to maintain the operating pressure during automatic stops. Low-friction components and low-viscosity oil help to reduce the operating pressure.
The comprehensive standard specification of the S 600 L reinforces its role as a flagship model. The LED Intelligent Light System, the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension with ROAD SURFACE SCAN and the Driving Assistance package Plus, all come as standard. The latter comprises Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with STEER CONTROL and Stop&Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE® Brake and PRE-SAFE® PLUS. These innovative driver assistance and safety systems, grouped together under the terms Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive, make driving even more relaxed and safer.
The standard MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension provides unrivalled comfort as it adapts to surface undulations. This is made possible by a combination of the active ABC suspension with continuously variable dampers and the innovative ROAD SURFACE SCAN. The nature of the road surface ahead is precisely registered with the help of a stereo camera located behind the windscreen. In addition the active suspension effectively compensates body roll and pitching when moving off, cornering or braking. The continuously adjustable dampers allow both a comfortable basic damping action and a stiffer, speed-dependent setup. All in all this leads to a magical combination of outstanding comfort and thrilling vehicle dynamics.
Additional fine touches in the new S-Class
With immediate effect, all the functions of the head unit can be controlled by fingertip gesture, as with a smartphone, from the new, standard touchpad. In addition, the touchpad allows letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting – in any language that is available on the head unit. The touchpad thus offers an additional, full-function input option over and above the existing COMAND Controller and LINGUATRONIC.
A head-up display is a new standard feature for the S 600 L. As in a jet fighter, it displays important information directly in the driver’;s field of view on the front windscreen, so ensuring that the driver’;s attention is distracted less from the road ahead. The system provides information on speed and navigation instructions.
Replacing COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST on the S-Class now is COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS as standard. In addition to the adaptive Brake Assist system, which helps to protect against collisions at speeds of over 7 km/h, this system now features a further function: if the danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 200 km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 50 km/h, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to 40 km/h.
A clear windscreen even at sub-zero temperatures, without all the hassle of scraping, is now possible thanks to electric windscreen heating – Magic vision control. This is designed to work in conjunction with the air-conditioning blower and ensures clear forward visibility in practically no time at all.
Luxurious and long
The S 600 L comes standard with the “Chauffeur package”. The rear seat occupant on the front passenger side has 77 millimetres more maximum knee-room. This is because the front passenger seat can be moved 40 millimetres further forward, and a further 37 millimetres of space can be obtained thanks to a 4-link system. In addition to this “chauffeur position” the front passenger seat can be folded forwards or placed in an extended-recline position. The EASY ADJUST luxury head restraint is standard equipment in the “Chauffeur package”, as is a heel support for the rear passenger which extends from under the front passenger seat with this long-wheelbase version.
Luxury and reclining seat on request: the rear seats
The S 600 flagship model from Mercedes-Benz can very easily become a chauffeur-driven vehicle. The logical consequence is the particular attention devoted to the rear by the seat developers. The rear seats are therefore right in the forefront when it comes to seating/climatic comfort and passive safety.
5 rear seat variants (static bench seat or individual seats with 37-degree adjustment) are available for the long-wheelbase version. The adjustment kinematics has been changed in the luxury and reclining seat variants. The rear backrest is adjusted separately so that the legroom and seat reference point remain unchanged. The cushion can be separately adjusted for angle and horizontal position.
The maximum backrest angle of the optional Executive seat (reclining seat) on the front passenger side is increased from 37 to 43.5 degrees, giving it the largest backrest inclination in the luxury segment. The reclining seat behind the front passenger seat features a calf support which is freely adjustable for length and angle. In combination with the heel rest on the folding chauffeur seat and an additional comfort cushion, this allows a reclined position that sets new standards in the automobile sector with respect to sleeping and resting comfort.
The individual seat functions in the rear, and those of the driver’;s seat, are operated via the typical Mercedes-Benz control panels in the rear doors. The “resting position” key is pressed to bring the front passenger seat and rear seat into the reclining position.
The most upright backrest position of 19 degrees in the luxury and reclining seat variants allows relaxed working in the rear.
Legendary top-of-the-range engine
The figure “600″ has long been a legend in the history of the automobile: the model 600 (W 100) launched in 1963 was the first passenger car from Mercedes-Benz to feature a V8 injection engine. This same powerful (184 kW) and refined engine was also used from 1967 on in the W 109 model series (in the top-of-the-range 300 SEL 6.3). Further top models to feature a V8 engine included the 450 SEL 6.9 from the model series 116 (210 kW) and the 560 SE in the 126 series (220 kW in the ECE version). The 600 SE model in the 140 model series of 1991 marked the introduction of the first twelve-cylinder engine as standard in a Mercedes-Benz passenger car. The M 120 delivered 300 kW from a displacement of 6 litres and began a tradition of V12 units as the top-of-the-range engines in the S-Class. Since the 220 series, Mercedes-Benz has also offered especially sporty, AMG-optimised variants with V8 and V12 engines at the top of its S-Class range, in the form of the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG.
“The S 600 engine benefits from the twelve cylinder expertise of AMG as they are built at the competence centre for V12 powertrains at AMG in Affalterbach, benefitting from the expertise of our AMG engineers,” concludes Govender.
As with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the S 600 L comes standard with the class-leading 6-years/100 000 km Premium Drive maintenance plan.
S 600 L – R2 170 000 incl. VAT excluding CO? emission 299 g/km
;
Mercedes-Benz S-Class also offers Collision Prevention Assist Plus
