RIDES DRiVing WitH Dan 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Dan WieSe Dan Wiese is a freelance automotive writer. You can e-mail It’s good to be the Benz: storied luxury brand gets astonishing new flagship him at: [email protected]

Here’s a hypothetical. 2021 MerCedeS-Benz You want a new car but, before you S-ClaSS sign on the dotted line, you have five VeHicle tyPe: Four-door, full-size, requirements that must be satisfied: five-passenger premium luxury sedan 1.) There must be a prestige badge on the with standard “4Matic” all-wheel drive nose of the vehicle. baSe PRice: S500: $110,850; S580: $117,350 2.) The acceleration must be of the boy- PRice aS DRiVen: $146,290; S580 racer variety. with $28,940 in options, including these 3.) The vehicle must meet the everyday major additions: $6,730 Burmester High End 4D Surround Sound audio; $3,800 family and professional requirements of a Warmth and Comfort Pkg; $3,500 responsible adult. Rear Seat Pkg.; $3,400 Rear Seat 4.) The infotainment technology has to Entertainment Pkg.; more be so space-age it would have Captain Kirk engineS: S500: 3.0L turbocharged I-6; S580: 4.0L twin-turbo V-8; both hollering, “Hey, Spock, how’d’ya work this engines feature EQ Boost mild-hybrid thing?!!!” assist 5.) And, finally, to a great extent the HoRSePoWeR: S500: 429 hp; vehicle must relieve your heavy burden of S580: 496 hp excess disposable income. With impressive power, space-age tech and more toRQue: S500: 384 lb.-ft.; S580: 516 lb.-ft. Has Mercedes-Benz got a car for you! screens than a Cineplex, the all-new S-Class raises luxury driving to new levels. ReQuiReD Fuel: S500/S580: All-new, the seventh-generation, 2021 Premium Mercedes S-Class is in a class by itself. tRanSMiSSion: Nine-speed Prestige badge? As if the Mercedes three- automatic with paddle-shift manual pointed star isn’t enough, S-Class, as the Eco, Sport and Sport-Plus (which lowers mode brand’s flagship, is the star of Mercedes. the suspension, among other adjustments), ePa MPg: S500: 20 city/29 hwy/24 combined; S580: 17/25/20 Hot performance? The S-Class sedan, all to complement S580’s twice-blown V-8, WHeelbaSe: 126.6 inches which boasts standard all-wheel drive, can with its 516 lb.-ft. of torque, and you’ve got be had as the S500, powered by a 429-hp, some real driving fun. In 200 miles -- about lengtH: 208.2 inches turbocharged I-6, or the S580 we drove, 125 on the highway and 75 on surface streets tRunk: 12.9 cu. ft. -- we got 20 mpg, just as the EPA figured. SuSPenSion: Fully independent air with its 496-hp, twin-turbo V-8. Both get in options, our bottom line of $146,290 spring Mercedes’s EQ Boost mild hybrid assist should have included a bath-and-a-half. Of course, if you’d rather let Jeeves do the driving, you can add a $3,500 Rear cuRb WeigHt: S500: 4,610 lbs.; and both are managed by a nine-speed And that was our only gripe with this S580: 4,775 lbs. Seat Pkg., which provides aft riders with automatic. Drivers of the S500 greet 60 astounding automobile. For a base price of WHeRe built: Sindelfingen, Germany mph in 4.8 seconds. Our S580 made the trip nearly 120 grand, shouldn’t fancy 20-inch zoned climate control, a tablet touchscreen nearly half-a-second faster -- 4.4 seconds. wheels and boffo audio be standard? In our in the center armrest, a right-seat power- adjustable foot rest and more. Heck, why not buttons and knobs, meaning you’ve got Grown up accommodations? Room car, they were, respectively, $950 and $6,730 finger-slide pads to control radio volume is spectacular front and rear in this full- options, the latter a 1,750-watt Burmester also throw in the $3,150 Executive Rear Seat Pkg. like our car did? That’ll add, among (bleccckk!) and touch-screen pads and slides size sedan, which boasts a back seat that High End 4D Surround Sound system. But, for just about everything else. Sheeeesh! can be optioned up to sybaritic levels of otherwise, if you complain about this car, other things, 11.6-inch touchscreens with infotainment controls for each outboard But, with impressive power, space-age chauffeured-driven chic. you’re just grouchy. tech and more interior screens than the local Cutting-edge, 21st century tech? Our It’s miraculous. passenger and multi-contour outboard rear seats with massage! Amazing. Cineplex, this S-Class sedan is a stunning S580 had more cameras than Paramount, On the road, the ride is of the magic- flagship for a prestigious brand. along with a dizzying array of complex carpet variety thanks to S580’s “Airmatic” Up front, the 12.3-inch gauge display infotainment controls that jettison knobs air suspension. Our car also boasted four- is endlessly reconfigurable: we loved the This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news “Sport” display, which was like peering and editorial departments of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and buttons for sliders and touch pads. wheel steering, a $1,300 option that lets the had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios The effect on your bank account? S500 rear wheels turn up to 10 degrees. It actually down a light tunnel. Alas, the 12.8-inch connects advertisers with a targeted audience through starts at $110,850, S580 at $117,350. After makes this massive car feel light on its feet. center-stack screen, controlling everything compelling content programs, from concept to production from the radio to seat massages, bans and distribution. For more information contact sales@ our 580 bumped the price north by $28,940 Add drive modes of Individual, Comfort, brandavestudios.com. caR talk olD caR coluMn “Always on” taillights 1962 Chevy Bel Air was Jim Schnider’s a cheap, effective first car! safety enhancement

bRuce kunz Ray Magliozzi Brand Ave. Studios Contributing Writer [email protected] King Features Content [email protected] I had been contemplating what car I would DeaRcaRtalk: feature in my next column when an old friend We have occasional days of poor visibility -- be it fog, of mine sent me a text message inviting me rain, snow or just that half-light we get at dusk and dawn. to lunch. Prior to retiring, Jim and I worked Photo provided by Bruce Kunz During these times, I have followed cars I can barely together for the Department of Homeland Security for 15 years as TSA Screeners at St. This image is that of a Chevrolet Division postcard circa 1962. It see, and often wonder why they don’t have their taillights shows a ‘62 Chevy Bel Air four-door sedan just like the one Jim Louis Lambert International Airport. While at on. Then I discovered that automakers did not include had for his first car at 16 years old! And the color, surf green, lunch, I asked Jim what the first car he owned looks just like the description Jim gave me: a medium green taillights in the daytime driving lights system. was, and he told me about his 1962 Chevrolet metallic. It can’t be that expensive to include this feature in the Bel Air four-door sedan. above, plus more all in full color. You will also car’s computer code, and it would be a big safety feature. You might be looking at the picture postcard find a listing of top car shows in the area coming Thank you for your Car Talk section in the paper. I shown here, thinking that it looks rather plain up. look forward to reading it every week. -- Gary compared to the Bel Airs of the ‘50s. You are ROLLIN’ WITH The FIN MAN V: See the absolutely correct. The Bel Air name first showed magnificent 30-plus car collection of Charles You’re right, Gary. Daytime running lamps are up for the 1950 models and was used to designate Gallagher during Rollin’ With The FIN MAN V “always on” lights that are usually incorporated with the the new, two-door “” (a pillar-less roof on Friday, September 17. Look for the big, yellow headlights. line) which grew very popular in the mid- to late- schoolbusattheparkandridelotontheSouthwest They’re not the same as headlights. They’re dimmer, ‘50s when air conditioning was rare. If you’re corner of Gravois and I-270 at 9:00* a.m., or at and they go on and off automatically when the car is wondering if the name came from the upscale Lilac Avenue and I-270 at 10:00* a.m. From there driven. They’re designed to give you extra visibility with neighborhood on the west side of Los Angeles, we will travel to our yet-to-be-confirmed lunch oncoming cars. And most countries require them. you’re right again! Other brands destination. NOTE: Unfortunately Gregg’s Bar also used unique model names during the period, & Grill, where we were originally planning on But not the United States. Most cars here have them such as the Chieftain and Star Chief having lunch, will not be able to host our group. anyway, because they’re a cheap and effective safety Custom Catalinas, and 98 Holiday Owner, John Reinberg, regretfully had to cancel enhancement -- and because carmakers have to include models, Buick Super and Roadmaster Rivieras, our event due to lack of wait staff. We should them on their cars for Canada, Europe and most other and Cadillac DeVilles. not be surprised as this is a common situation countries anyway. Later in the ‘50s, new names appeared. In the “in these unprecedented times.” (Are we sick But there are no daytime running taillights that case of Chevrolet, the Impala was introduced as a of hearing that phrase by now or what?!) After we know of. It would make sense, for those times you top-line trim level for the 1958 Bel Air series and lunch, we will move on to the main event: a mention. Of course, drivers are supposed to turn on their would, for the 1959 model year, take the top model tour of the fascinating and diverse collection of full head- and taillights during times of poor visibility spot from Bel Air, which would then become the vehicles at the Charles Gallagher Museum. Mr. -- fog, rain, snow, dusk, dawn or sharknado. Most state second highest model. Have I confused you yet? Gallagher is the retired owner of Union Fruit & laws require lights on under those conditions. But we Produce and his collection includes a significant Since it was second in command in the collection of Russian Orthodox Christian know people forget. So including taillights in the DRL Chevrolet hierarchy (just above the lowly icons. (See my flier on the website stltoday.com/ system would be a smart idea. Biscaynes), most Bel Airs, including Jim’s, were lifestyles/autos.) The price for this tour is $45 per If you’re concerned about people seeing you, Gary, powered by the old reliable, Chevy “Stovebolt- person including transportation and lunch. Call one thing you can do is simply leave your full lights on all Six.” This tough-as-nails engine was introduced me at 314-327-FINS (3467) to place your ticket the time. Most cars now kill the lights when you turn off in 1929 and remained the engine which powered orders. Checks must be received by September 10. the ignition. So the danger of forgetting to switch them Chevrolet cars and trucks for 72 years. This is an exclusive Rollin’ With The FIN MAN off and waking up to a dead battery is exponentially Although the Impala was top dog by 1962, the event and attendance will be limited to 40 guests. lower than it was in years past. Bel Air was still a popular model, more affordable We are expecting a sellout, so please reserve your than the Impala, yet having upscale features over seats a.s.a.p. NOTE: The pickup times listed That’ll give you some peace of mind that other drivers the entry-level Biscaynes. These included more herein are not likely to change, however, due to can see you in all conditions, and you won’t ever have bright-work trim on the outside and color-keyed an unfinalized breakfast/lunch destination, may to remember to turn on your lights when conditions carpeting on the inside. Biscaynes were fitted change slightly. Stay tuned right here for finalized change. Of course, it won’t help you see those other light- with vinyl floor coverings. details as they become available. less vehicles. But with your headlights on, at least you’ll get a quick look at the make and model before you smack Check out this week’s story on the web at Tri-Power Trivia returns after September into their rear bumper. stltoday.com/lifestyles/autos to see the picture 17 event. Got a question about cars? Write to Ray in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had no role in its Orlando, FL 32803, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com. (c) creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept 2021 by Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc. to production and distribution. For more information contact [email protected].