Mercedes S-Class prices

The new Mercedes S-Class will start from £62,650 on the road when it goes on sale in the UK this October. For that you get a standard wheelbase S350 CDI in the entry-level SE Line trim.

From launch there will be three different engine options – one diesel, one hybrid and one powerful V8 petrol flagship. The diesel models are available in either standard or long wheelbase format. The stretched models command a £3,000 premium over the standard and take the dimensions out to well over five metres.

The S350 BlueTEC uses the familiar 3.0-litre V6 engine, but produces a decent 255bhp and a massive 620Nm of torque – while also producing class-leading emissions figures of 146g/km and an official fuel economy of 51.4mpg.

The S400 Hybrid uses a 3.5-litre petrol V6 combined with a 27bhp electric motor to virtually match the figures of the diesel with 0-62mph despatched in an identical 6.8 seconds while emitting just 147g/km of CO2. However it costs a hefty £4,000 more than the CDI, is less economical and only comes in LWB guise.

Sitting at the top of the range is the S500 L, which uses a twin-turbo 4.7-litre V8 engine to generate 449bhp and 700Nm of torque. This version is capable of travelling from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds but like all the other models is limited to a top speed of 155mph and prices start at £88,130.

Spec for spec the new S-Class is considerably more expensive than either the Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro or the BMW 730d.

Two trim levels are available: SE Line and AMG Line with a £5,000 difference between the two. Even the base model gets a huge amount of standard kit though, with LED headlights, air-suspension and adaptive dampers. Inside a 12.3-inch TFT screen with sat-nav and DAB radio and online services and full leather upholstery are all standard.

AMG models get a more aggressive body kit and sleeker styling, and larger 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, plus memory seats and a sportier interior trim. Optional equipment includes 360 degree parking cameras (£880), Individual or Executive rear seat packages (£4,335 and £5,000 respectively) and the S500 L gets ‘Magic body Control’ which scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension automatically to suit the driving conditions – but it costs a sizeable £4,340.

There are 10 different colours to choose from and several designs of alloy wheel and after the initial launch Mercedes plans to launch two more hybrid versions, including a diesel-electric and plug-in model that will be even more efficient than the conventionally powered initial line-up.