Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, May 11, 2009

At a glance: technical highlights of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class*

Cornering lights: this function of the bi-xenon headlamps and the Intelligent Light System provides more safety on junctions and when driving slowly on tight bends. Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Active Body Control (ABC): active suspension system that adapts the springs to the current driving situation within fractions of a second. Optional (standard for S 600)
ADAPTIVE BRAKE: this Mercedes brake system offers assistance functions, such as a HOLD function and Hill Start Assist, for even greater safety and comfort. Standard
Adaptive front airbags: the front airbags deploy in two stages, depending on accident severity. Standard
Adaptive Highbeam Assist: this system dips the beams and adjusts the range of the headlamps in accordance with the distance to oncoming vehicles/vehicles travelling ahead. Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Adaptive brake lights: flashing brake lights warn vehicles behind in an emergency braking situation. Standard
AIRMATIC: the air suspension workd together with an electronically controlled damping system. Standard for all V6 and V8 engine variants


Active multicontour seats: depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and speed, the inflation pressure and volume of the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests are varied to give the driver and front passenger even better lateral support. The seats also have comfort head restraints and a massage function. Optional (standard for S 600)
Active Light System: the Intelligent Light System's bi-xenon headlamps follow the driver's steering movements. Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Ambient lighting: when driving at night, optical fibres behind the trim on the dashboard and door panels provide a pleasant lighting atmosphere in the interior. Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
ATTENTION ASSIST: this system warns the driver when it detects signs of drowsiness. Standard**
Motorway mode: from 90 km/h the entire width of the carriageway is illuminated, improving the driver’s range of vision by around 50 metres; part of the Intelligent Light System Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Child seat recognition: a transponder system automatically recognises whether a special Mercedes-Benz child seat is installed, and deactivates the front passenger airbag if this is the case. Optional
Bi-xenon headlamps: gas-discharge lamps for low and high beam improve safety at night. Standard
Bluetooth interface: the mobile phone is wirelessly linked to the hands-free system. Standard
Brake Assist PLUS: this system uses radar sensors to recognise an impending rear-end collision, calculates the necessary degree of braking assistance and makes it available immediately when the driver depresses the brake pedal. Optional as part of the Driving Assistance package
COMAND: control and display system that integrates the audio unit, DVD player and telephone function. Standard
COMAND APS: the navigation data are stored on a hard disc. Further functions include the MUSIC REGISTER and voice control. Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Digital radio: a special DAB tuner Digital Audio Broadcasting) and additional aerials allow the reception of digital radio broadcasts. Optional in conjunction with the Front Seat Entertainment package or the Rear Seat Entertainment package
DIRECT SELECT: seven-speed automatic transmission operated electronically using a lever on the steering column. Standard
Direct-Steer: a variable steering rack ratio depending on the steering angle allows more agile handling and provides more comfort when parking and manoeuvring at slow speed. Standard
DISTRONIC PLUS: this radar-based proximity control system automatically helps the driver to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. It can brake the S-Class to a standstill if necessary, then accelerate again. If the distance to the vehicle ahead decreases too quickly, the system gives the driver visual and audible warnings. Optional as part of the Driving Assistance package
Enhanced foglamps: This function of the Intelligent Light System pivots the offside headlamp outwards to illuminate the road verge more effectively. Optional (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
ESP®: This safety system is able to reduce the risk of skidding in bends, and warns of pressure loss in the tyres. Standard
Headlamp Assist: a sensor on the windscreen automatically switches the headlamps on when darkness falls. Standard
Rear Seat Entertainment package: the rear faces of the front seat head restraints feature 8-inch displays connected to a DVD player. Optional
Speed Limit Assist: a camera fitted behind the windscreen detects speed limit signs on the roadside. The relevant limit is then displayed in the instrument cluster. Optional as part of the Navigation package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Gracenote®: database that recognises music tracks on a CD/DVD or from the MUSIC REGISTER and shows the title, album and artist on the colour display. Optional as part of the Navigation package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Belt force limiters: this technology reduces the force exerted by the belt strap on the seat occupant during a crash. Standard for the front seats and the outer rear seats
Belt tensioners: any slack in the seat belt strap is instantly taken up during a crash to reduce the forward movement of the occupants caused by the impact. Standard for all seats
Intelligent Light System: This innovative headlamp technology provides five lighting functions which are activated depending on the driving and weather conditions (also see Cornering lights, Country mode, Motorway mode, Active Light System and Enhanced foglamps). Optional as part of the LED Light package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
KEYLESS-GO: the doors and boot can be opened without a key. It is sufficient to carry the KEYLESS-GO transponder on the person and operate the door handle. Merely operating the start/stop key is sufficient to start the engine. Optional (standard for S 600)
Automatic climate control: this system controls four temperature zones and offers numerous adjustments for individual passenger comfort. Standard
Kneebag: an additional airbag is able to reduce the loads acting on the driver during a frontal collision Standard
Individual comfort seats: a seat unit with two comfortable, individual seats, a folding armrest, heating, comfort head restraints, a stowage box and cupholders is available for passengers in the rear. Optional (standard for long-wheelbase variants)
Comfort telephony: the driver and passengers are able to conduct onboard telephone conferences by mobile phone, and send or receive SMS messages. The phone is housed in a cradle under the armrest. Optional (standard for S 600)
Paintwork: Nano-technology makes the paintwork more scratch-resistant and ensures a glossier sheen. Standard
Country mode: this function of the Intelligent Light System replaces the previous low-beam headlamps and provides broader and brighter illumination of the opposite road verge. Optional as part of the LED Light package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
LINGUATRONIC: the voice control system operates the radio, CD/DVD-player, CD/DVD-changer, navigation system and telephone. Optional as part of the Navigation package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Media Interface: this universal interface allows portable audio devices to be connected to and controlled by the infotainment system of the S-Class. Optional as part of the Navigation package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Memory function: three memory settings are stored for both the driver's and the front passenger seat. The settings for the steering wheel and exterior mirrors are also stored. Optional (standard for S 500 and S 600)
Multifunction steering wheel: the radio, telephone, navigation system, display and other devices can be controlled from the steering wheel. Standard
Multicontour seats: inflatable air chambers enable the seat contours and seat cushion length to be adjusted to the individual occupant. Optional as part of the Rear Seat Comfort package
MUSIC REGISTER with a 7.2 GB hard disc which stores around 2500 digital music files in the MP3, AAC or WMA format. These can be loaded from PC memory cards. Optional as part of the Navigation package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Music Search: search function that searches SD memory cards, USB sticks, CDs and DVDs for specific music tracks and performers. Optional as part of the Navigation package (standard for S 400 HYBRID and S 600)
Night View Assist PLUS: the display in the dashboard shows a realistic grey-scale image from an infrared camera that monitors the road ahead of the S-Class. Any pedestrians detected are additionally highlighted in the display. Optional
NECK-PRO head restraints: crash-responsive head restraints are able to support the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage during a rear-end collision, reducing the risk of a whiplash injury. Standard
PARKTRONIC including Parking Guidance: ultrasonic sensors measure the length of parking spaces as the car drives past; instructions for safe parking appear in the display. Optional as part of the Parking package
PRE-SAFE®: if the system recognises a critical driving situation, it takes precautionary measures to protect the occupants. It can e.g. initiate tensioning of the front seat belts, or closing of the wide windows and sliding sunroof. Standard
PRE-SAFE® Brake: if there is imminent danger of a rear-end collision, this system brakes the S-Class automatically if the driver fails to react. Optional as part of the Driving Assistance package
Reversing camera: the area behind the S-Class is shown in the COMAND display, and coloured directional lines show a precisely calculated path into a parking space. Optional as part of the Parking package
Crosswind stabilisation: effects of crosswind are largely compensated. Standard (as part of Active Body Control) for the S 600
Sidebags: these side-mounted airbags reduce the loads acting on the occupants during a side impact. Standard for the front and outer rear seats
7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission: this automatic transmission is installed in all the V6 and V8 variants. Standard for all V6 and V8 engine variants
SPLITVIEW: the driver and front passenger are able to view different content on one and the same screen at the same time. Optional as part of the Front Entertainment package (standard for S 600)
Lane Keeping Assist: a camera behind the windscreen recognises clear carriageway markings and gives a warning if the car unintentionally leaves its lane. Optional
harman kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system: a multi-channel system with innovative digital technology, an output of 610 watts and 14 loudspeakers provides surround-sound for every seat. Optional as part of the Front Entertainment package and the Rear Entertainment package (standard for S 600)
Torque Vectoring Brake: by specifically braking the rear wheels, ESP® ensures more safety at the physical limits without any loss of agility. Standard
Blind Spot Assist: this radar-based system warns the driver before a lane-change if it detects another vehicle in the exterior mirror's blind spot. Optional as part of the Driving Assistance package
Windowbags: like a curtain, these large airbags extend from the A to the C-pillar in a side impact. Standard

*Selection
**Not for S 400 HYBRID

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