I think the only reason MBUSA added the S350 as an ’06 model is to help with the W220’s sales in its final year. We won’t be seeing any W221 S350’s in the States anytime soon.

Yeah I think so too, but that was a curiously strange move imo. I wonder how the S350 has sold? The few I've seen at various dealers seem to be gone in a few weeks so maybe they'll bring over a W221 S350 around W221 facelift time or something.

M

I don't think we're gonna get a w221 S350 in the States. We didn't get a w220 S350 until the last year production. The current w220 S350 still uses the old 5-speed transmission and like you said, it’s not a long wheelbase. It was a strange move by MBUSA to add it as a last year model. Maybe the no cost AMG package offered for the ’06 S430’s and S500’s wasn’t enough to increase the sale of the w220’s.

I don’t know how well they’re selling, but I know a couple of people who are interested in getting them. I’ve only seen a couple of them. One was parked on my street one night. At first I thought it was an S430 or S500, you can’t tell the difference till you look at the badge.

I think that MB will try to make the S-Class exclusive and on top with only the S450, S550 & the S600 (of course the AMG models as well). I also don’t think we’re gonna get any diesel or hybrid S-Class.

I hope we get a diesel or hybrid S it would really be a worthwhile addition to the lineup in the U.S. imo. Yeah a W221 350 would likely be a 70K car and with a "V6" it might be a tough sell against some competitor V8s that start at that price point. Wouldn't a S420 CDI be awesome though!

M

I agree. My 2006 S430 listed for $81,884 with the few options I had on it. The base was $78,025. I believe the S450 will be just under $80K list and the S550 just under $90K list. Add a few of the fancy new items (or even some of the old) and you will add $10K really fast. In addition, besides a long wait (probably), there will be no dealer incentives or discounts until demand drops from the initial surge.

As for price i agree, and i do hope we get a diesel version too. Would be a good market for MB to get into hear in the US.

The nice thing about the new S450 is that it outpowers the W220 S500 with 335hp/339lb-ft torque, the latter figure matches the old SOHC 5.0L V8 in the W220 S500.

M

Guess what passed by my street yesterday?
That’s right, the ’07 S550. Actually my roommate saw it. He said it was at a traffic light when he seen it, but when he went to take a pic of it, the light turned green. The car was silver, just like this one:


He said he was very impressed with it. He had always joked about its headlights. He said they looked like a Honda’s headlights. But he changed his mind once he seen it.

Many members on the MBWorld forum have seen it around the city and in NJ. I wonder why they're driving it in public before its US debut.

This one in NY


- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

It isn't unusual for a car to be seen out in public this close to its public debut. My guess is that a lot of MB execs, reps etc. have one at this point if for no other reason than to work out any kinks. Then at some point the car mags have to get one for those roadtest we'll be reading about in their Feb, March issues. The car is now what about 6-8 weeks away from being on sale?

M

I drove the S500 L today.. and god damn i was impressed like hell.. the interior quality is like 100 years ahead of my W220.. and the damn thing is fast as hell.. the steering is sportyish.. amazing.. and the ride is so quiet and comfy.. and the multicontour seats are a must option.. they feel so good that you want to twist and turn all the time

All in all i have decided that the W221 will be my next car no doubt..