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2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review
The benchmark for true luxury.
2009 S-Class Review Summary & Specifications
There isn't a better luxury car for the price produced anywhere in the world. It's lightning quick, 130 mph fast (limited by electronics, not power), much sportier than we expected, quiet as a winter night in Wyoming, and comfortable enough for the famous Bangor to Tijuana run twice a week for a month. The safety achievements alone would be reason enough to buy this car, but when you throw in the dramatic looks, the power and the performance, the case is made.New Car Test Drive correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from the Swiss Alps.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz S550 ($89,350); S550 4MATIC ($92,350); S600 ($147,450); S63 AMG ($131,350); S65 AMG ($198,950) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.5-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 382-hp 5.5-liter V8; 518-hp 6.2-liter V8; 510-hp 5.5-liter V12; 604-hp 6.0-liter V12 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 7-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | ESP electronic stability control, 4-ETS, electronic traction control, anti-slip regulation, ABS, EBD; front airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags, Pre-Safe |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | Distronic, Parktronic |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Sindelfingen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-4MERCEDES |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mercedes-benz.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 89350 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz S550 ($89,350) |
| Standard Equipment | leather upholstery, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, GPS navigation system, 14-way power adjustable heated front seats with memory and active ventilation, rear bucket seats, wood-and-leather steering wheel, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power sunshade, power trunk lid, cruise control, message center, trip computer, fog lights, bi-xenon headlights w cornering, COMAND system, Harman Kardon Logic7 600-watt AM/FM/6CD/MP3 audio, sunroof, keyless ignition, anti-theft |
| Destination Charge | 875 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Automatic Body Control suspension ($3,960) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | 1000 |
| Price as Tested | 95185 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 382 @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 391 @ 2800-4800 |
| Fuel Economy | 14/22 |
| Wheelbase | 124.6 |
| Length/Width/Height | 205.0/73.7/58.0 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 40.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.8/60.8/41.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.5/60.9/42.3 |
| Trunk Volume | 16.3 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | Airmatic four-link independent air suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Airmatic multi-link independent air suspension |
| Ground Clearance | 5.8 |
| Curb Weight | 4465 |
| Stock Tires | P255/45R18 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist Plus |
| Fuel Capacity | 23.8 |
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2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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