BMW->ke178 has significantly improved the 7-Series and Audi->ke14 has brought to the market a new A8 luxury sedan, so it was high time to see some improvements made to the Mercedes S-Class. For the 2013 model year, the company has decided to offer a new S-Class with a design inspired by the 2010 Mercedes F800 Style Concept and, most likely, a new engine line-up. These recent spy shots of the new S-Class testing at the Nurburgring show proof of half of those projections. Despite the heavy camouflage, the future luxury sedan looks much sharper and more elegant than the model it replaces.

It is rumored that the engine line-up for the future Mercedes->ke187 will include a twin turbo 4.6L V8 engine producing 429 HP, a twin turbo 5.5L V12 delivering 510 HP, and an AMG twin turbo 5.5L V8 getting between 536 HP and 550 HP. A hybrid version has also been rumored for a very long time. It will combine a direct injected V6 engine and a 60 HP electric motor for an impressive fuel economy of 74 mpg.

Expect to see the 2013 Mercedes S-Class launched by the end of 2012.

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