2004 Mercedes C-Class

Unlike its predecessor, the W220 was no longer the first model to feature the company’s new design theme for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz. This honour was given to the A-Class launched in 1997. The new S-Class incorporated the new styling cues and addressed the criticisms of the previous model’s styling. Rather than being known as colloquially as ’the tank’, the new S-Class was known for its rounded, graceful lines.

The W220 had many engine options unlike W126 and W140. The range started with smaller 3.2-litre 224hp V6 motor which was superceded by enlarged 3.7-litre 245hp V6 in S350.

Next is 4.3-litre 279hp V8 in S430 (that one sold very well in the USA) and 5.0-litre 306hp V8 in S500. AMG prepared the S55 with 5.4-litre 367hp V8 motor which was replaced by supercharged version, producing 500PS or 493hp (469hp in American edition).

The 5.5-litre V12 motor started out as 367hp but was fitted with twin-turbochargers (from Maybach engineering work), increasing its output to 500PS (or 493hp in Europe and 469hp in USA).