ALL-NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS HITS THE ROAD

High-Technology Sedan Ups The Ante For Safety, Performance, Comfort

MONTVALE, NJ - The model-year 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class premium luxury sedan is arriving at Mercedes-Benz retail centers across the U.S. The striking design of the all-new S-Class is highlighted by a coupe-like profile and a unique "face" reminiscent of the company's oval-headlight models. Although total length is three inches shorter, rear legroom - already among the greatest in the industry - has been increased by nearly an inch over the previous model.

Two V8-powered models are offered: the S430 with a 275-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 at a price of $69,7000 and the S500 with a 302-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, priced at $77,850. The new flagship sedan is designed to set new standards for safety, performance, occupant comfort and value in the premium luxury class. Making use of a variety of lightweight materials such as high-strength aluminum and magnesium, the new car is also nearly 500 pounds lighter than the previous S-Class, providing even better performance and fuel efficiency.

The leaner, sleeker S-Class features groundbreaking automotive technology which is likely to lead the way for the rest of the auto industry. For example, its smart passenger airbag can deploy with partial force in a low-speed collision and full force at higher speeds. In addition to full frontal airbags, the new S-Class comes with head-protection curtain airbags that span each side of the car, as well as a door-mounted side airbag in each of its four doors.

Although frontal collisions are by far the most common type of accident, side impacts are more likely to cause serious injury. The curtain airbag deploys like an air mattress to protect the head and shoulders in a side collision, and it works in conjunction with the door-mounted sidebags, which provide protection for the chest and hip area.

GPS Navigation System Standard

The all-new S-Class will come standard with a satellite-based navigation system, and its display on the center console is also used for the audio systems and telephone. This integrated COMAND (Cockpit Management And Data) system uses fiber optic technology for fast response and can be directed by voice commands, controls on the steering wheel or buttons around the display screen.

The steering wheel of the all-new Mercedes S-Class provides the driver with far more than just a way to steer the car. Four large illuminated rocker buttons provide an easy and convenient way to control many of the car's systems and also a method to diagnose any faults that occur.

The S-Class for the new millennium marks the debut of the world's first smart cruise control system, which can automatically maintain a pre-set distance behind the car in front with the help of a radar sensor. While the optional smart cruise control (available in September, 1999) can vary the accelerator like conventional cruise control, it can also maintain the desired following distance - even by applying partial braking automatically if needed. An LCD diagram in the center of the speedometer graphically depicting two vehicles shows what's happening.

Even climate control is "smart' on the all-new S-Class: the system can vary temperature and air flow individually, not only in response to where the sun is shining but also based on where each occupant is sitting.

TeleAid: Help Is Just A Button Away

The innovative TeleAid system that will debut on the all-new S-Class offers three distinct kinds of services accessible at the touch of a button. For emergency help, there's an "SOS" button on the rear-view mirror. Pushing the SOS button will immediately establish voice contact with Protection One, a provider contracted by Mercedes-Benz. The Protection One representative can dispatch local police or other emergency services.

Pressing this button also transmits to Protection One crucial information about the customer, including the precise location of the vehicle (through the GPS tracking) and the model of the car and its color (to help emergency services visually locate the car quickly). Protection One can also dispatch local police, fire or emergency services if voice contact is not established (eg., the customer is unable to respond).

If a collision deploys any airbag, the system automatically establishes contact with Protection One, relaying all pertinent information. The onboard transmitter is crash-secure, and has access to redundant antennae. TeleAid includes two other buttons - mounted on the center console -- for non-emergency use. One marked with the symbol of a wrench puts the customer in contact with the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance. Another marked with the letter "i" connects the customer with the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center, which can answer customer questions about the car, for example.

A Sedan That Drives Like A Sports Coupe

For the best possible balance of performance and comfort, the chassis of the millennium S-Class uses fully independent four-link front and five-link rear suspension with a new type of air suspension incorporating the Mercedes-Benz adaptive damping system. Rack-and-pinion steering provides a variable ratio and speed-sensitive power assist - both for responsive "road feel" at speed and, at the same time, light steering effort during low-speed maneuvers such as parking.

Large four-wheel vented, cross-drilled disc brakes are enhanced with four-channel AB8 anti-lock brakes and Brake Assist, which can reduce braking distances in emergency or "panic" stops. (Brake Assist was the first system of its kind when it was introduced on many model-year 1998 Mercedes models, and was made standard on all Mercedes passenger vehicles for model-year 1999.) In addition, the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) helps to keep the car going where the driver is steering it, and ESP incorporates traction control as well.