2006 Mercedes S-Class (S350/ S430/ S500/ S600)

With this award this specialist magazine recognises the outstanding technology that has made the Mercedes flagship model an example for the entire field of car development. In autumn 2005 around one dozen technical innovations available in no other automobile entered series production with the new S-Class. These include Brake Assist PLUS with radar sensors, the preventive PRE-SAFE occupant protection system with additional functions, Night View Assist with infra-red technology and DISTRONIC PLUS with a further increase in operating range.

Outstanding long-distance comfort is ensured by the running gear with a further development of the AIRMATIC air suspension as standard, and by the new dynamic multicontour seat with an enhanced massage function. Another milestone in car technology is the Active Body Control suspension system (standard in the S 600), which has been even further improved for the S-Class. As a result the luxury saloon enters new dimensions in handling dynamics, while offering an equally tangible benefits in terms of ride comfort.

The engines for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class are new or further developments which offer up to 26 more output and up to 15 percent more torque than their predecessors. Fuel consumption is up to nine percent lower. Moreover, the S-Class is the world’s first automobile to achieve an environmental certification. This confirms the environmentally oriented product development of the luxury saloon, where significant advances have been made in ecologically important areas. The exhaust emissions of the S 350 are up to 85 percent below the current EU-4 limits.