Mercedes-Benz · 2005–2013

Mercedes-Benz W221

The Mercedes-Benz W221 is a chassis code of the fifth generation S-Class, produced from August 2005 until June 2013. The W221 S-Class was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show as the successor of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) and the predecessor of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222).

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All Mercedes-Benz W221 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Styling

The W221 S-Class' exterior styling is distinctly different from the W220. The W220 somewhat broke with tradition in being smaller than its W140 predecessor, whereas the W221 is larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, offers more interior space, and has improved performance. The rear styling is similar to the Mercedes-Benz Maybach – the larger saloon from Daimler AG's other flagship brand, which was presented to the public in 1997. Development began in 1999, with the design work beginning in 2000 at the Advanced Design Center in Tokyo, and the final design by Gorden Wagener at the Sindelfingen Advanced Design Center being approved in 2001, frozen for production in early 2002 and patented in Japan on May 21, 2003, under 1208488 and in Germany on December 4, 2003. A final design prototype W221 was presented in December 2002 to Autospies journalists at a consumer design clinic, 2.5 years prior to the official production model unveiling in June 2005. Inside, the W221's interior is also significantly different from the preceding model, even more dominated by leather, wood and metal. Where the W220 still had a fair amount of plastic fascias and switches, the W221 has replaced most of these by more luxurious materials such as wood, leather and metal. The interior features an instrument cluster with two large flat panel screens, one for the hard disk based COMAND system which includes the navigation screen and one replacing the analog speedometer by a graphical representation of it, which can display a range of additional information and can also be replaced by the Night View Assist display. Below the central COMAND screen are silver effect air vents, and a square, analog clock within the vents. Below the vents are metal tab switches with a black field behind them, to con

Features

Like all other S-Class generations, the W221 introduced a number of new and improved features and systems. The standard COMAND now also controlled more of these features and/or provided access to additional settings for various functions, including the HVAC system and seat controls. Safety. Electronic Stability Program (ESP): standard on the S-Class since the W220 model and similar to the systems fitted to other Mercedes vehicles, this system measures driver inputs and compares these to the vehicle's path. If these diverge, ESP brakes single wheels selectively to eliminate oversteer (fishtailing) and understeer (plowing), and reduces engine power, if necessary. ESP includes anti-lock braking (ABS) and traction control (ASR) within its wider functions. Brake Assist and (for vehicles with the optional Distronic Plus system) Brake Assist Plus: a system that recognises emergency braking and increases the braking force (according to Mercedes-Benz 90% of drivers are too hesitant with the brakes in an emergency). Brake Assist Plus uses the radar to apportion brake pressure based on sensor data and measured distance between the car and vehicles or other objects in front. Speedtronic adjustable speed limiter for not exceeding a set speed on roads with speed limits. Distronic Plus radar controlled cruise control (optional, standard cruise control on other cars), an evolution of the Distronic system introduced on the W220, which maintains a safe distance to the previous vehicle and now can bring the car to a full stop if necessary. Pre-Safe and Pre-Safe Plus for vehicles with Distronic Plus: a development of the previous Pre-Safe system fitted to the W220 S-Class, which uses vehicle-dynamic sensors to predict collisions and trigger precautionary measures to protect the vehicle occ

Models

=== 2009 facelift === Development to further refine the W221 started in 2006 with these design changes being approved in early 2007. The revised 2010 S-Class was announced on April 8, 2009, at Stuttgart. The minor model update includes minor cosmetic changes and several new features: Adaptive Highbeam Assist – detects vehicles with their lights on which are travelling towards or ahead of the car in which the system is fitted and controls the headlamps to ensure the largest possible range without dazzling other drivers. Blind Spot Assist – warning indicator on side mirror activates if vehicle detected in blind spot. Lane Keeping Assist – detects road markings and senses if the driver is inadvertently straying out of the lane. If so, the driver is warned by short vibrations of the steering wheel. This system can also distinguish between intentional (for example, overtaking or merging) and unintentional lane departures, reducing the number of false alarms. Speed Limit Assist – identifies speed limit signs in passing and shows the relevant speed limit in the central display. It is standard for S 600. Attention Assist – continuously monitors more than 70 different parameters to detect driver fatigue and tiredness. Once the system detects behaviour that typically indicates the onset of drowsiness, a warning signal is sounded and "ATTENTION ASSIST. Break!" appears in the instrument cluster. It is not standard on the S 400 HYBRID. Active Body Control (ABC) crosswind stabilization – uses the sensors of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to vary the wheel load distribution via the ABC spring struts, depending on the direction and intensity of the crosswind, in order to reduce the adverse effects of crosswinds. This is standard on the S 600. Torque Vectoring Brake – brakes t

Specifications

=== Engines === S 280 is only sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Asia (badged as S 300). S 350 CDI 4MATIC is badged as S 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY in Germany. S 500 is badged as S 550 in Canada, US and Japan market. Transmissions. All models with the exception of the S600 and S65 AMG are equipped with the 7G-TRONIC transmission. S350, S350 4MATIC, S400 Hybrid, S450, S450 4MATIC, S500 include 7G-TRONIC Sport transmission. Models with 7G-TRONIC transmission include DIRECT SELECT, which allows 7G-TRONIC to be electronically controlled by touching the lever on the right-hand side of the steering column. The S600 retains the 5G-TRONIC automatic transmission. S65 AMG included five-speed automatic SPEEDSHIFT transmission with DIRECT SELECT. Beginning in 2009, S63 AMG includes AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission, S65 AMG includes AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed automatic transmission. Handling. All models except S 63 AMG, S 600 L, S 65 L AMG use AIRMATIC suspension, with optional Active Body Control except for 4MATIC models. S 63 AMG, S 600 L, S 65 L AMG include Active Body Control as standard. 4MATIC models were unveiled in the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Initial products include S 450 4MATIC and S 500 4MATIC, followed by S 320 CDI 4MATIC in 2006–12, then S 350 4MATIC in mid 2007. All 4MATIC models were made in short and long wheelbases. S 320 CDI 4MATIC was replaced by S 350 CDI 4MATIC.

Marketing

As part of the W221 launch campaign, Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH introduced a series of 17 products under S-Class Collection, beginning in 2005–09. Products include a wrist watch designed with Sindelfingen-based Design Centre, piqué polo shirt, cufflinks, pen, umbrella, key fob, mouse pads, pen cases, cigar set, note pad, wallet, and 1/43 S-Class scale model car. Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH also introduced a series of 1,200 units of S-Class vehicle freight train.

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Specifications

name: Mercedes-Benz S (W221)
Manufacturer: DaimlerChrysler (2005–2007), Daimler AG (2007–2013)
Production: August 2005 – June 2013
Model years: 2005–2013 (Worldwide), 2007–2013 (Canada & US)
Assembly: Germany: Sindelfingen, Mexico: Toluca, Egypt: 6th of October City (EGA), Malaysia: Pekan (HICOM), Indonesia: Bogor (MBI)
Designer: Gorden Wagener (2001)
Class: Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style: 4-door sedan
Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine: Petrol:, 3.0–3.5 L M272 V6, 3.5 L M272 V6 hybrid, 4.7–5.5 L M273 V8, 4.7 L M278 twin-turbo V8, 5.5 L M157 twin-turbo V8, 6.2 L M156 V8, 5.5–6.0 L M275 twin-turbo V12, Diesel:, 2.1 L OM651 turbo I4, 3.0 L OM642 turbo V6, 3.0 L OM642 turbo V6 hybrid, 4.0 L OM629 twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic, 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
Wheelbase: 3035 mm, 3165 mm (LWB) , 4315 mm (Pullman)
Length: 2006–08 SWB: 5076 mm, 2009–13 SWB: 5079 mm, 2006–08 LWB: 5208 mm, 2009–13 LWB: 5218 mm
Width: 2006–08: 1871 mm, 2009–13 1872 mm, BlueHybrid: 83.3 in
Height: 1473 mm
Kerb weight: from 1955 kg [S 320 CDI], to 2270 kg [S 65 AMG]
Related: Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C216)
Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220)
Successor: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)