Some buyers would and of course some wouldn't. There is no rulebook here, just a varying group of buyers and all different kinds of reasoning/rationales. During my years over on Edmunds debating these cars I found that some buyers do care about hp, though they are the last ones to actually use the extra hp.

There is also the issue with standard equipment on the smaller V8, it has always been less with the S430 compared to the S500. The same thing would happen with the S450 vs S550 also. The last S430 compared at C&D stickered for like 87K, way too much compared to a better performing Lexus.

Then you have the point that Yaz brought up. Why does Mercedes need 2 non-AMG V8s in the S-Class? The S-Class range is already more extensive here in the U.S. than the 7-Series, A8, XJ or LS ranges and it already is the 2nd best selling car in the class. The LS outsells it on price since a SWB LS460 can cost as little as 65K and a S550 starts at 87K. Sure a S450 might have brought in a few more sales, but that theory only works if the S550 still sold the same amount of units that it did without their being a S450. I personally think sales of the S-Class would be more or less the same, maybe a little bit more initially. IMO having a S450 and S550 would have only split the sales the S550 has had so far.

With the W220 I'd read a few years back the S500 outsold the S430 in most of if not all of those years. If that was true then it is easy to see why the S550 was MBUSA's choice over the S450 or having both the S450 and S550.

I think it was a smart move. Now with sales slowing and a pending facelift we'll see for the 2010 model year in the U.S. a S400 hybrid, S450 (with more power than today's version), S550 (ditto) and the usual S600, S63 and S65 V12 & AMG models.

For what its worth I also think MBUSA was tired of the W220 S430 getting beat up on comparision tests all the time. The one time anyone compared the S500 to the previous LS430 (Motor Trend), the S500 won. They knew if evenly match in power the S550 wasn't going to come up short like the previous S430 did, with power being one of the complaints sometimes.


M

All very good points Merc1.

Great points, Merc1.

A shame the S430 W220 was always criticized for "lacking power" (which it actually didn't). I always saw that car as an S-Class for the folks who wanted an S-Class but didn't need the power and higher price tag of the S500.

Count me in that group. Before i bought mine, I actually tested them both and the 32 horsepower difference was not apparent enough to sway me from the 430.

Also, I cannot guarantee I'd have an S550 now if the 450 had been available - even though I'm nutts about the S550s power now.
It's quite possible i may have opted for a fully loaded S450.

That just makes me think that a S450 and S550 would have just split the sales, not double them.

The advantage for Mercedes is that they get more $$ per sale by having only and making people step up to a S550 if they want an "S-Class".

Now that the initial rush is over and sales are slowing, it would be a good time to add the S450 for the 2010 facelift...giving it about 30-40hp more hp to become a competitive entry-level S in the U.S.


M

It's not all about engine size. In Canada they introduced the S450 in the short wheel base and is the only SWB model they sell. Sometimes people don't want the biggest car available. Personally I couldn't imagine negotiating a land yacht around a city regardless of how comfy it is or how many bells and whistles it has. The SWB model knocks some inches off the mega yacht to make it a little bit smaller. To me, bigger isn't better.

It's cheaper too....always an attraction for everyone at any income level.

^^^ That is true, but in that case people would flock to the S450 and the S550 would be left hanging. IMO there is no way around it, having both the S450 ans S550 wouldn't have increased sales in the U.S. enough to warrant having the S450 all this time. It would have only split the sales the S550 would have gotten anyway.

As sales drop and the facelift is pending, the S450 should be added...with a power boost IMO.

M