When Mercedes lifted their veil off its updated
S-Class a few months ago, it released it with only a few configurations. Now
it's expanded the lineup considerably including no fewer than three distinct
V12 models.
With the order books open since May and the first
examples already reaching showrooms across Europe, the S-Class sedan lineup has
now grown to no fewer than 24 versions – split various between gasoline and
diesel engine options, short and long wheelbases, and rear- or all-wheel drive.
Some are even branded differently as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, or
Mercedes-Maybach.
In addition to the S350d and S400d oil-burners, the
S560 gasoline model, the S63 performance version, and the super-luxurious
Maybach S560, Mercedes has now added the six-cylinder S450 and S500 into the
mix.
But the most intriguing part is the arrival of
several new twelve-cylinder models. There's a new S600 and a new AMG S65 (both
offered only in rear-drive with the extended wheelbase), and as we reported
earlier, a more powerful Maybach S650 flagship (also rear-drive with an even
longer wheelbase). It retails in Germany for over 200,000 euros, or well over
twice what any of the six-cylinder models go for – the base S350d starting at
under US$ 85k.
Daimler has expanded the
cross-availability of different wheelbases, engines, and drivetrains. So where
customers have been until now only able to order any model with all-wheel
drive, rear-drive options have now been added into the mix on all but the S63,
which only comes with 4Matic+ traction.
Add those to the new models in all their variations
and you have 24 versions on offer, and that's before you even take the S-Class
coupe and convertible into account.
