new S class unveiled

[paul7v7]

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...id/2050620.001

i like it. refreshing from mercedes. although i think the interior is bmw like.

[Steffo]

S600 goes from 368kW 800Nm to 380kW 830Nm... gotta love it. S500 goes 225kW 460Nm to 285kW 530Nm.. and 5.4 sec 0-100km/h. Mmmm.. HSV and FPV getting embarassed by a 2300kg luxury limo?

[XRated]

Originally Posted by Steffo

S600 goes from 368kW 800Nm to 380kW 830Nm... gotta love it. S500 goes 225kW 460Nm to 285kW 530Nm.. and 5.4 sec 0-100km/h. Mmmm.. HSV and FPV getting embarassed by a 2300kg luxury limo?

Bloody hell, what is with everyone comparing frigging cars that nearly cost over a quarter of a million frigging dollars to ones that cost $50-100k??

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by XRated

Bloody hell, what is with everyone comparing frigging cars that nearly cost over a quarter of a million frigging dollars to ones that cost $50-100k??

The only reason they cost that much is because of our stupid tax system. Thank the Government. In their native countries, an S500 is much like a Caprice V8. In fact, when you look at countries like the USA, that don't have our stupid LCT and all that crap, you'll find that most of these cars are under $100,000.

[zetec]

That's correct, an S500 in the USA is priced at around $86k.

[PULLY6]

Originally Posted by zetec

That's correct, an S500 in the USA is priced at around $86k.

wowee, our tax system does suck.

[XRated]

The S500 costs US$86k, yes, that equals approx. AUD$110k, whilst the S600 costs US$130k, that equals approx. AUD$170k.

BTW, I think a Twin-Turbocharged 5.5L V12 monster, with a lot more than Ford Oz could ever spend into R&D should absolutely hose a N/A 5.4L V8.

Can we use some sense, please?

BTW, this could sound rather silly, but are both US Mercs and BMWs made in Germany, or in factories in the US itself?

[niko]

its to keep jobs in australia and to support ford and holden...

[niko]

there made in south africa now (most of em) i think the upper class models are somewat made in germany and i know truks and other parts gets made in brazil

[XRated]

Oh, and the S500 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds? Mercedes (and most other sources I've read) only quote 6.1-6.3 seconds and does the 1/4 mile in 14.5-14.7 seconds, opposed to the other big lard **** S600 that does 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, and the 1/4 in ?? seconds.

I think I'll end my little rant here :togo:

EDIT: My mistake about the new S600. Still, 800Nm of torque compared with FPV's 500-550Nm of torque.

[Steffo]

It says that on that site for the new model. The previous 225kW S500 did it in 6.1, and the non turbo S600 did it in 5.4 seconds. The 2003+ S600, with the 5.5litre 368kW 800Nm Twin Turbo V12, does it in 4.6 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 11.9 seconds.. capable of 300km/h+ with the 250km/h speed limiter off.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by XRated

The S500 costs US$86k, yes, that equates to AUD$110k, whilst the S600 costs US$130k, that equates to AUD$170k.

BTW, I think a Twin-Turbocharged 5.5L V12 monster, with a lot more than Ford Oz could ever spend into R&D should absolutely hose a N/A 5.4L V8.

Can we use some sense, please?

BTW, this could sound rather silly, but are both US Mercs and BMWs made in Germany, or in factories in the US itself?

Ford Oz doesn't have to develop anything, they have a parent company far bigger then Mercedes-Benz that could take car of all that. In fact, it does, there are several appropriate supercharged V8's available from there, that Ford Oz chooses not to use for reasons I cannot yet fathom.

[XRated]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Ford Oz doesn't have to develop anything, they have a parent company far bigger then Mercedes-Benz that could take car of all that. In fact, it does, there are several appropriate supercharged V8's available from there, that Ford Oz chooses not to use for reasons I cannot yet fathom.

You originally were comparing current line-ups. We are not talking about what they could do.. I know you have an obsession about Ford Oz sourcing US engines etc, but it would make us that little bit less Aussie, and I don't want that.

The SL600, M3 etc are not FPVs and HSVs direct competitor anyhow. I can't think of too many Mercs or BMWs (if any) that could match the power and speed of what HSV and FPV have to offer in that size category, and available to Australian consumers for a similar price.

[Teki04]

Well, back to the actual car.... I think the design is a little radical for a Merc.... the design doesnt seem like its going to be a Timeless design.... I think they are taking the BMW Bangle approach with the rear... It is starting to resemble a Maybach!

[niko]

i reckon it looks awesome...

[Homer1]

Originally Posted by niko

there made in south africa now (most of em) i think the upper class models are somewat made in germany and i know truks and other parts gets made in brazil

No, only the C-class, A-Class and 3-Series in RHD are built in "Seth Efflica". M-Class, X5 and Z4 in US, X3 in Austria. The rest I think are all built in Germany. From memory, the E-class and S-Class are mde in the Sindelfingen plant, CLK, SL and I think SLK are from the Bremen plant. China's factories ATM only cater for thier own market (thank goodness!!).

[RPO83]

Great specs and it doesn't look too radical or too conservative...typical S-Class philosophy.

[bathurst77]

Bugger 'em if they they can afford to buy a car like that, they can afford to pay tax and support schools roads military etc
Prob all in tax minimisation schemes anyhow, so the tax they pay on the car might start to meet what they dodge otherwise.