2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Prices slashed, new engines

MERCEDES-BENZ has dramatically reduced pricing across its S-Class range for the 2018 model year, with the price tag for some variants dropping by more than $20,000.

The number of models is also being trimmed by seven variants, down from 11, starting with the $192,900 S350d and topping out with the $425,000 Mercedes-Maybach S650.

At the bottom end, the S350d’s price has been reduced by $28,055, while the Maybach is $23,036 more “affordable” than before.

The rest of the range comprises the S400d L, S450 L, S560, S560 L and the Mercedes-AMG S63 L.

There have also been changes made under the bonnet, with the 2018 S-Class being the first car to receive Mercedes-Benz’s inline six-cylinder diesel engines, which supersedes the company’s long-lived diesel V6.

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The S350d replaces the outgoing car’s bent-six with the new 210kW/600Nm straight-six diesel, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, that’s 20kW more powerful than before (though has 20Nm less peak torque).

Standard features on the base-level S350d, which is now only available in short-wheelbase form, includes a 13-speaker Burmester stereo, heated and cooled front seats, a 360-degree camera display, 19-inch alloys, a digital TV tuner and power-closing doors and bootlid.

The long wheelbase S400d L is has a 250kW/700Nm a long-wheelbase new high-output diesel option, offering 250kW and 700Nm from an uprated version of the S350d’s straight-six turbo diesel.

The S450 L takes the place of the S400 L and features equipment over the S350d includes power-adjustable rear seats, rear climate control and electric blinds for the back windows.

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Spend $270,000 on the S560 and $295,000 on the stretched S560 L and you get double-glazed glass, glossy wood trim, built-in rear-seat entertainment screens and “Energizing comfort control”, which brings together climate control, seat heating, ventilation and massage functions, ambient lighting, fragrances and ‘musical atmospheres’ in order to deliver six different wellness programmes while you drive. These include freshness, warmth, vitality, joy, comfort and training.

If that’s not enough to sooth you when you’re in a mad rush both models have a 345kW/700Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8 to add reassurance to the mix.

That same engine is boosted to 450kW/900Nm for the Mercedes-AMG S63 L, which also gains set of exhaust, composite brakes, a sportier steering rack, sports suspension and AMG-tuned settings for its various drive modes.

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The AMG S63L also has heated and ventilated rear seats, more deeply contoured front seats, sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, black wood trim and an 80-litre fuel tank.

If that doesn’t impress you, the $425,000 Mercedes-Maybach S650 should , with its 463kW 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V12 that produces a truck like 1000Nm of torque that needs a seven-speed automatic transmission to tame it.

Additional creature comforts include a 24-speaker Burmester stereo, microfibre-upholstered roof liner, high-end nappa leather upholstery, polished 20-inch alloys and plenty of Maybach badging.

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All 2018 S-Classes also get revised active steering assist and active cruise control software to provide more progressive intervention and there’s even a feature that “prepares your hearing for the anticipated accident noise” when a collision is deemed imminent.

2018 Mercedes-Benz S Class pricing

• Mercedes-Benz S350d - $192,900
• Mercedes-Benz S400d L - $222,500
• Mercedes-Benz S450 L - $227,500
• Mercedes-Benz S560 - $270,000
• Mercedes-Benz S560 L - $295,000
• Mercedes-AMG S63 L - $375,000
• Mercedes-Maybach S650 L - $425,000