Well the S450 is official now:

The second V8 model is the new S 450 4MATIC which is now also available as a rear-wheel-drive model. Its engine technology is closely related to that of the 5.5-litre eight-cylinder unit and includes four valves per cylinder, infinitely ad-justable shifting intake and exhaust camshafts, a two-stage intake module, tumble flaps in the intake ducts, an aluminium crankcase, low-friction cylinder liners, a forged steel crankshaft and weight-optimised connecting rods. With a displacement of 4663 cc, it develops a peak output of 250 kW/340 hp and its maximum torque of 460 Newton metres is available across a wide engine speed range from 2700 to 5000 rpm. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 5.9 seconds puts the S 450 4MATIC on a par with its rear-wheel-drive counterpart. The top speed is 250 km/h (electronically governed). At 11.6 to 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres, its fuel consumption is only 0.4 litres higher than that of the "normal" S 450. This is analogous to the difference in fuel consumption between the corresponding S 500 models.

This is from today's article about the new 4Matic system now available on the S550, S450, and S320 CDI.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...ic-for-s-class

I hope this S450 doesn't come to the U.S. until the 2008 model year.

M

Merc1: well I was wondering why it wasn't official yet it was available in the german official MB site. U can configurate the car and it will give the price even. Anyways It is a step in the right direction IMO.