Redesigned 2014 Mercedes S-Class Revealed

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the redesigned 2014 S-Class sedan Wednesday at a press event in Hamburg, Germany. “Stylistically, the S-class is more evolutionary than revolutionary,” writes Autoweek. “It shows obvious heritage in many places, but the surfacing treatment is contemporary enough to give it a modern appeal.”
The automaker seems confident that the 2014 S-Class will stack up well against competing super luxury cars. "Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, in a press release. “No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class."

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The new S-Class will be available in S550, S550 4MATIC and high-performance S63 AMG models when it hits showroom floors in September. The 2014 S550 will have 26 more horsepower than the outgoing 2013 model, thanks to a revamped twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 455 horsepower. A seven-speed automatic transmission will also come standard. Mercedes says that the redesigned S550 will have a top speed of 130 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 4.8 seconds. A new Magic Body Control suspension system will be optional on the 2014 S-Class, which anticipates road conditions and adjusts the suspension by using cameras to scan the road ahead.
Kicking Tires reports that the 2014 S550 will offer an updated infotainment system, new heated seats with massage, four-zone climate control and an available Burmester stereo system. On the safety front, the redesigned S-Class will offer an updated Pre-Safe collision system, which can automatically stop the S-Class at speeds up to 31 mph if a pedestrian is detected. Rear seatbelt air bags will also be available to reduce the risk of ribcage injuries if a collision occurs.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes hasn’t announced pricing for the 2014 S550 yet, but the current 2013 S550 starts at $95,000, plus a $905 destination charge. The automaker says that the average S-Class buyer is 61 years old with an annual income of $371,000.