As rumored earlier, MB added a new engine to the S-Class line-up. the new engine is a 4.7L producing 340 HP. Acceleration from 0-100 Km/h in 5.9 sec. 4-Matic is also an option for this beauty



More details to come later ...

cool.. a very good alternetive for those who dont want the large V8..
bring on the V8 diesel now

Great move for those who think the S550 is to expensive and the S350 too sissy.

Is it coming to America???

Uh oh, now Marcus is not gonna like this. Is this official?

Pretty sure America will get it too. When I was at the Vancouver debut, they said it would be coming to Canada later on this year or early next year.

where's the offical press release, this still looks especially speculative.

LOL....Nope I sure won't! There is no need for a S450 at this point and it will only get whipped around by the much more powerful LS460 that will cost either the same or less! No, No, No, No to the S-four-fifty!

Mercedes must wait to see where the Lexus LS460 is priced before introducing this car to the U.S. market. Now in Europe it is a different story, Lexus is nearly matterless there, but here in the U.S. this LS460 is going to be a big, very big event.

M

As we have "discussed" on some other forums, there really is no need for MBUSA to bring out the S450 at this time. The S550 is still selling relatively briskly, albeit an anticipated, but slightly slower pace. The highly sought P3 option package is still unavailable and with the imminent arrival of the CL, MB needs all of the P3's it can obtain. Until S550 sales fall off all S550 option buyers are placated, I thnik the S450 will not be a US product. Also, as you have mentioned, MB might be holding the S450 for a selling point against the for the new Lexus LS460.

Well I think we'll definitely get a S450 because of the previous S430/S500 relationship, but this time they're getting all the high-end sales first with the S550, S600 and S65. Then when the LS460 is priced and start selling (i.e. cutting into S-Class sales) they'll release the S450, but I don't see that happening until the 2008 model year. I think we'll get a S320 CDI or Bluetec then also.

Mercedes is either playing the game differently this time by launching all the high end models first, as opposed to how the W220 was launched, the S55 and S600 didn't come until the following (2001) model year, or they've just been taken by surprise by the 380hp LS460, more than likely both scenarios are at work. Right now MB dealers and the company must be pleased as punch considering the S-Class' average transaction price is over 90K. That is incredible, but won't last forever.

M