Take - back of end - of - life vehicles. Coming full circle At the end of its long life, you can return your S - Class to us for environment - friendly disposal in accordance with the EC End - Of - Life Vehicle Directive 1. But that day lies a long way off . 1 Applies in accordance with national regulations to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight. Mercedes - Benz passenger cars have met the statutory regulations governing the suitability of their design for reuse and recycling for a number of years now. A network of vehicle take - back depots and dismantlers has been established which will process your vehicle in an environment - friendly manner. The ways in which both vehicles and parts can be recovered are subject to ongoing development and improvement. Consequently, the S - Class will be able to comply with any future increases in the recycling quota within the stipulated time limits. Further information is available at www.mercedes - benz.de or by calling 00800 1 777 7777 Please note : changes may have been made to the product since this brochure went to press ( 30.04.2008 ). The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the design, form, colour and specifi cation during the delivery period, provided these changes, while taking into account the interests of the vendor, can be deemed reasonable with respect to the purchaser. Where the vendor or the manufacturer uses symbols or numbers to describe an order or the subject of an order, no rights may be derived solely from these. The illustrations may show accessories and items of optional equipment which are not part of standard specifi cation. Colours may diff er slightly from those shown in the brochure, owing to the limitations of the printing process. This bro- chure has been compiled by Daimler AG of Germany and is distributed internationally. It provides a general indication of the range of models, features, optional extras and / or colours available in various countries. Some of the models, features, optional extras and / or colours shown may not be available in your country or may only be available in a diff erent specifi cation. Additionally some models, features, optional extras and / or colours may only be available in combination with others. For current and more specifi c information in relation to the range of models, features, optional extras and / or colours available in your country, and their pricing, you should contact your nearest authorised Mercedes - Benz Passenger Car Dealer. Daimler AG, Stuttgart BC / MR 6701 · 0611 · 02 - 06 / 0608 Printed in Germany The S - Class www.mercedes - benz.com The S - Class “ Our philosophy is very simple. We give our best for people who expect the best. ” Dr Dieter Zetsche 0 4 | CONTENTS The S - Class 1 0 My S - Class 68 SAFETY 12 EQUIPMENT 70 Safe driving 14 Standard equipment 72 Night view assist 16 Optional extras 76 DISTRONIC PLUS 18 Light - alloy wheels 84 In the event of danger 20 PRE - SAFE 20 GENUINE ACCESSORIES 86 In an accident 22 After an accident 24 MERCEDES - BENZ GUARD 88 AGILITY 28 designo 90 Diesel engines 30 Petrol engines 32 COLOURS AND MATERIALS 96 Transmissions 36 Paint fi nishes 98 Suspension 38 Upholstery and leather 100 4MATIC all - wheel drive 40 Combination options 102 Wood 104 COMFORT 44 TECHNICAL The long - wheelbase version 46 Technical data 106 Seating comfort 48 Dimensions 110 Climate control 50 Control and display systems 52 SERVICE 112 Parking aids 56 Entertainment 58 AMG 60 S 63 AMG 62 S 65 AMG 64 AMG optional extras 66 THE S - CLASS | 05 The tradition of innovation 1959. Mercedes - Benz has always been a pioneer Today, the S - Class once again confi rms the pio- of innovative automotive technologies. In 1959, neering role played by Mercedes - Benz. With its “tailfi n” model made history as the fi rst pro- technology like night view assist and innovative duction vehicle with a safety passenger cell and comfort and convenience features such as the crumple zones. enhanced DISTRONIC PLUS system which set new standards. One step further. The S - Class Safety A theory which can save lives in practice PRO - SAFE ™ : the integral safety concept from Mercedes - Benz If there is one area that drives us to ever greater Much as we like to refl ect on the past, though, achievements more than any other, it is research- our focus has always been fi rmly on the future. ing new safety technologies. As early as the 1950s, The best example is our vision of accident - free we passed an important safety milestone when driving. This vision is closer today than ever legendary vehicle safety pioneer Béla Barényi before thanks to the integral safety concept from invented the passenger safety cell. Mercedes - Benz, which divides automotive safety This era also saw revolutionary ideas put into four phases. forward by many others – such as Rolf Maier. In To ensure a safe journey throughout, the vehi- order to be able to study the crash performance cle helps the driver to identify critical situations of steering and restraint systems quickly and promptly and handle them safely. In the second cost - eff ectively, Rolf Maier and his engineer col- phase, where a risk has been detected, numerous leagues designed and built a special sled which preventive measures can be activated to reduce was to be driven into a wall at high speed. When the risk of injury. In the event of an accident, the they needed to create a crumple zone, the team occupants can benefi t from eff ective protection, came up with a simple, yet brilliant solution : as required by the situation concerned, provided gherkin tins from the staff restaurant – a typical by the comprehensive range of passive safety example of the creative spirit which character- systems. Finally, the fourth component comprises ised this pioneering time. the phase after the accident when further measures come into play – to make the task of the rescue services easier, for example. Further information about the Mercedes - Benz safety concept is available online at www.mercedes - benz.com / airbag - brochure 1 4 | SAFETY | Safe driving SAFETY | Safe driving | 15 Complete peace of mind is the best method of accident prevention Keeping relaxed at the wheel can nip danger in the bud The majority of accidents start long before the Electronic Stability Program ( ESP ). This system, ac tual collision : with a lapse in concentration, which can stabilise the car if there is a risk of poor visibility or an unanticipated hazard. The skidding, was fi rst seen in a Mercedes. Brake S - Class is therefore fi tted with safety equipment systems incorporating Brake Assist or the optional which promotes relaxed driving and helps you BAS PLUS system are also becoming increasingly to bring critical situations under control. intelligent and can now reduce the stopping dis- Firstly, there is the ergonomically designed tance by a considerable amount when it matters interior in which each switch and each function most. With DISTRONIC PLUS also on board, the is easy to use. In addition, intelligent systems driver is therefore warned when heavy braking is such as COMAND or the optionally available required should the situation become serious. LINGUATRONIC voice - operated control system Additional help is provided by Blind Spot Blind Spot Assist allow you to keep your hands on the wheel. Driver Assist. This optional extra makes invisible hazards Radar sensors monitor the zones to the side of and behind stress - relief also comes courtesy of the climate visible, letting you know as soon as a vehicle the vehicle. If the indicator is activated and another vehicle control system, comfortable seats and a fi ne - tuned which is overtaking you has been in your blind is identified in the monitored zone, a visual and audible warning alerts the driver suspension system. spot for three seconds. There are over 60 electronic aids to help you One of the latest additions in the fi eld of safety whilst driving. They issue warnings when required is night view assist, which enables you to detect – as in the case of the tyre pressure monitoring obstacles earlier at night. It is therefore fully in system – or provide you with assistance when keeping with the Mercedes - Benz safety philos- needed. Perhaps the most important of all is the o phy of preventing accidents before they happen. SAFETY | Safe driving | 17 You can see at night what this road looks like in daylight Night view assist – easier driving, even in critical situations You’re driving on a dark road at night. In the Night view assist, which can be switched on distance you can vaguely make out a bend, but and off as required, reduces driver stress when before you can begin to see more, you’re dazzled driving under conditions of limited visibility – by oncoming headlamps. but without dazzling oncoming traffi c. This means The optional night view assist system makes you are able to react to hazards sooner and are situations like this a thing of the past by allowing more relaxed when you arrive at your destination you to see obstacles even when the light from on- – even after a long journey at night. coming traffi c is impairing visibility. The secret behind night view assist lies in the infrared headlamps which illuminate the road with infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. The picture captured by the infrared camera is reproduced in shades of grey on the integral 8 - inch multifunction display in the instrument cluster. The view is similar to looking through the windscreen with the main - beam headlamps switched on.