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Spy Shots: Mercedes S-Class Caught Cruising in the Cold  It’s been a while since we last brought you any spy shots of the next-generation Mercedes S-Class, but today our spy photographers caught it one more time during cold-weather testing. As you can see, this prototype has dropped most of its camouflage, letting us see more from the new luxury sedan. Expect the new S-Class to feature design elements we have already seen in the new E-Class, including the new one-piece headlamps with LED daytime running lights. There will also be design elements from the 2010 Mercedes F800 Style Concept, making the new S-Class sharper and a little bit more aggressive. Under the hood, the new S-Class will get modified versions of the current engine lineup: a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8 engine producing 429 horsepower, a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-12 delivering 510 horsepower, and an AMG twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 getting between 536 and 550 horsepower. Expect the new-generation Mercedes S-Class to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 Mercedes S-Class Coupe Along with the standard sedan version, the next-generation Mercedes S-Class will also receive a coupe version that will replace the current CL-Class. The coupe version hasn’t been taken out for a testing session yet, but we do know from the sedan version that it will receive a muscular appearance with an aggressive front end, flanks with a prominent drop line, and a rounded turret line. There are still no details on the engines the upcoming S-Class Coupe will carry under the hood, but Mercedes did confirm that it will take on the Bentley Continental GT. This statement makes us believe Mercedes will offer up a choice of V-12 and V-8 engines, with output levels north of the 550-horsepower mark. The new Mercedes S-Class Coupe will be unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. It will be followed by an S-Class Convertible version a few months after. Stay tuned for more information! Image Note: The above image is a TopSpeed rendering of the upcoming S-Class Coupe. It is not an official image
2015 Mercedes S-Class Coupe
Mercedes is preparing to simplify its lineup by replacing those not very successful models with improved versions of the best sold ones. For example, the CL-Class will be replaced by an S-Class Coupe version that, according to the company, will compete directly with the Bentley Continental GT. The new S-Class Coupe is codenamed W222 and, according to the first details we have on it, will be offered with a much more muscular appearance than the model it replaces. Expect to see "a more aggressive front end, flanks with a prominent drop line and a more rounded turret line," while the "rear overhang will be significantly shorter." No other details have been revealed, but the engine lineup is not very difficult to guess, considering the next S-Class Coupe will take on the Continental GT. This means there will be at least a choice of V-8 and V-12 engines. The only problem is that the current 5.5L twin-turbo V-12 engine offered by Mercedes delivers "only" 510 horsepower, and the Continental GT delivers an amazing 567 horsepower. Could this mean Mercedes will be offering an improved V-12, or they will stick to just competing with the Continental GT V-8, which delivers 500 horsepower? The new Mercedes S-Class Coupe will be unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. It will be followed by a convertible version that will target the Bentley Continental GTC. These two models will be just two of the new five versions offered for the new-generation S-Class that will also include a high-end sedan replacing the unsuccessful Maybach brand. Note: The sedan version pictured above, coupe images coming soon.
Video: Mercedes Presents its New Steering Assist System
The new 2014 E-Class will be the first Mercedes model to feature the company’s new fully autonomous system called Steering Assist. This new system works in conjunction with the Distronic Plus system and it is being effective to speeds up to 124 mph. The Distronic Plus adaptive control system helps the driver to keep the vehicle at the desired distance from the vehicle in front, even in stop and go traffic. With the latest additions, once the driver is activating the Distronic Plus, the Steering Assist is also being activated. This new system supports the driver with lateral lane guidance. On straight roads and even in gentle bends, it helps the driver to remain in the center of the lane by generating steering torque. Watch the video to see how the company’s new Steering Assist system works and expect to see it in all the upcoming Mercedes models. Click past the jump to read our preview of the 2014 S-Class’s Intelligent Drive system. Full story
2012 Mercedes S-Class "Project Amadeus" by SR Auto Group
Canadian tuner SR Auto Group is welcoming a new member to their growing family of auto programs. Give a warm greeting to Amadeus, or as SR likes to call its programs, "Project Amadeus." Based on a Mercedes S63 AMG, Amadeus was born with the help of some noted aftermarket companies, particularly Japan’s Wald International, which supplied the body kit for the Mercedes luxury car. As always, the kit is comprehensive and includes the front fenders, the front bumper, side skirts, the rear bumper, the trunk spoiler, and the roof spoiler. From there, SR Auto Group fitted Amadeus with a new set of 22" Velano VKU wheels that have been finished in a two-tone matte anthracite face. The wheels were then paired with a new lowering suspension system from Basics to improve the car’s handling and stability. Finally, a new Meisterschaft exhaust system was slotted in to give Amadeus that throaty roar. It joins the luxury car’s AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine that produces 571 HP and 663 lb-ft of torque.
Mercedes S-Class Convertible officially confirmed for 2014 mercedes ocean drive concept Until now all we had on the next Mercedes S-Class Convertible were just rumors, but today the guys over AutoCar have officially caught the first test mule of the next luxury convertible and once with them they also have the first details on the upcoming model. The model will be designed as a large luxury 2+2 soft-top targeting models like Bentley Continental GTC. Compared to the latest convertible model added to the Mercedes line-up - the E-Class Convertible - the S-Class will feature a roomier, higher-quality cabin with qualities similar to the Bentley model. Mercedes will offer all the latest technologies, including a fully digital dashboard with a four-dial instrument pack and a widescreen sat-nav/multimedia system. All these technologies will be combined with wood trims in the highest quality and metal "eyeball" air vents. Under the hood Mercedes will place all the engines to be featured in the next generation sedan, plus technical parts like "Magic Ride" suspension, first revealed on the company’s F700 concept. It is also being rumored that the model will also be equipped with a convertible rollover system and a new seat belt-mounted airbag. The upcoming Mercedes S-Class Convertible is set to be unveiled sometime in 2014. 2005 - 2013 Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard by TOPCAR
TOPCAR has popped back into the TopSpeed offices, straight out of Russia, with an all-new bespoke vehicle. Last time we caught up with our Russian custom car friends they were getting their Panamera Stingray 9/25 ready for the 2012 Moscow International Automobile Salon. Now they have delivered us a little more comfort and loads of safety with their Guard upgrade kit for the 2005 through 2013 Mercedes-Benz S600. TOPCAR began by stripping this S600 down and adding in bullet-proof glass and paneling to keep its occupants safe. While the armoring is cool and likely costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, we are interested mostly in what the armor is protecting. No, not the occupants, we are talking about that gorgeous interior! The entire interior covering has been removed and replaced from headliner to floor – yeah, we said the floor too – with an elegant blend of lozenge-textured crocodile, Nappa, and Alcantara leather. Sure, using crocodile leather isn’t the most PETA-friendly thing in the world, but when you have the roughly $100K that TOPCAR put into the interior, you can tell PETA to go save a squirrel. Plus, we’re pretty sure their presence in Russia is nearly non-existent. The crocodile leather wraps up the seats, doors, dashboard, and floor. Gracing the luggage compartment is diamond-quilted Nappa leather, making a comfortable ride for your golf clubs or whatever else you like to stick in your trunk. With our contact at TOPCAR volunteering that sometimes the term “crazy Russian” is justified, we will leave the other trunk-dwelling objects to your imagination. You also get a huge amount of custom Karelian birch wood trim to set off all of this beautifully crafted leather. To wrap up the package, TOPCAR replaced all of the Benz’s lowly chrome trim with gold-covered pieces. I mean, you can never rock crocodile leather with chrome trim after Labor Day, right? “Wow” just about sums up this car. When it comes to tiptoeing the line between fantastically gorgeous and horrendously overdone, TOPCAR toed that line with the expertise we expected. Awesome job! Mercedes previews next generation S-Class with Aesthetics S sculptureWe still need to wait until 2013 to see the new generation Mercedes S-Class, but in order to keep the momentum going and the curiosity peaking, Mercedes has created this very cool sculpture that offers a quick peek at the luxury sedan’s design language. The new Aesthetics S sculpture will be on display at the 2012 Paris Motor Show from September 27th to October 14th. The new "Aesthetics S" sculpture features a very cool artistic interpretation of the future luxury saloon. Mercedes announced that it highlights the artistic aspects of design, but will also offer a modern sense of status, sensual shapes, and stylish sportiness. "The characteristic lines of the S-Class have always represented the expression of automotive culture, as we understand it. The new S-Class will continue this tradition and, with its striking lines, will put a face to our design philosophy over the coming years", explains Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars. UPDATE 10/08/12: Mercedes has released a new video featuring the Aesthetics S sculpture, previewing the next generation S-Class. Check out the video by clicking on the photo above! Mercedes Will Start Subletting its V-12 Engine Production Mark this date on you calendar, as this is the day that you found out that Mercedes-Benz will no longer manufacture its own V-12 engines. Okay, maybe it’s not that big of a deal, considering the task of building these engines is simply being outsourced to its performance arm, AMG. This is most likely due to the fact that AMG has more models that utilize the Mercedes V-12 engine or it could be a very slick way for Mercedes to earn more customers. This can also lead to more boutique automakers seeking help from AMG with their V-12 engines, much like Pagani did with the Huayra. Not many automakers would like to say “Yeah, we have a Mercedes engine,” but who in their right mind wouldn’t be impressed with “Our supercar boasts a V-12 AMG engine.” Not only is the production of the engines moving to AMG, but so are the manufacturing principles. AMG believes in the one-man-one-engine system, which means that each engine has only one person touching it. According to the report, this process will be applied to even regular old Mercedes V-12 engines, not just AMG models. The assumption is that the first Mercedes-Benz to boast of an AMG 12-cylinder engine will be the 2014 S600, but we could see something come even sooner than that. Either way, this can be nothing but a good thing for Mercedes, we just wonder why it didn’t think of this earlier. Car Infographics: Automotive Fantasy Football Lineup
Okay, so there are two things that I really love, besides my family and close friends, of course. Those two things are cars (obviously) and football. With my love of football comes my love of fantasy football, much to my wife’s chagrin. Well, the folks over at Shopautoweek have taken both of my loves and put them together in the form of automotive fantasy football. They chose a lineup of cars to make up the offensive side of a football team. The team consists of a full assortment of offensive linemen, which you actually don’t have in most fantasy football leagues: a quarterback, fullback, running back, tight end, and two wide receivers. They even went as far as putting out a scouring report listing why they selected each car for these respective positions. We do disagree with some of their selections, but overall it is a good effort. So check out the full infographic after the jump and let us know in the comments section what cars you would put on your team. Full story | Mercedes S-Class latest reviews:Mercedes S-Class tuning:
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