Sleeker S-Class On Way

Mercedes will pull out all the stops for the next-generation S-Class - and Auto Express magazine has the details and images.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Matt Joy

18th January 2005

Spied during development testing, the new luxury car will have an advantage over rivals thanks to hybrid power and an innovative collision avoidance system.

Codenamed P12, externally the car gets a sleek new design, with large, bold headlamps surrounding the trademark Mercedes grille. Sharp creases down the flanks and a high rear help disguise its size - it's fractionally longer than the current car.

A redesigned interior will offer superb luxury, with cues taken from the latest M-Class, unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. That will include a new automatic gearshift, which consists of a simple steering column-mounted stalk, similar to the one on BMW's 7-Series.

But arguably the biggest innovation will be the collision-avoidance system. A development of the current radar-guided cruise control, it uses information gathered by sensors mounted on the front of the car to detect obstructions. In an emergency, it prepares the vehicle for an accident by tightening the seatbelts, then applies maximum braking power to minimise any impact. The S-Class is set to debut at September's Frankfurt expo.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes S-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk