The Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 was a full-size luxury sedan produced from 2006 to 2013. It marked a significant evolution in design and technology over its predecessor, the W220.
Design and Features:
The W221 had a more angular and aggressive exterior design compared to the W220.
A distinctive feature of the S-Class is its long hood and short rear deck, creating an elegant proportions.
The interior was heavily influenced by the Mercedes-Benz F 700 concept car, with a focus on luxury materials, advanced technology, and comfort features.
The cabin featured wood trim, leather upholstery, and a dual-screen infotainment system.
Optional features included a panoramic sunroof, rear-seat entertainment system, and a premium sound system.
Powertrains:
The W221 S-Class was offered with a range of V6, V8, and V12 engines from the Mercedes-Benz M-Class (M272, M273, and M275).
A 5.5-liter V8 gasoline engine produced 382 horsepower in standard trim and 510 horsepower in the high-performance AMG variant.
A 6.0-liter V12 twin-turbocharged diesel engine was also available, producing 530 horsepower.
The S-Class was paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed automatic for the diesel model.
Technology and Safety Features:
The W221 introduced advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Active Body Control (ABC) and Brake Assist Plus.
It featured a range of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, and lane departure warning.
The S-Class also incorporated advanced driver assistance technologies like Pre-Safe (anticipating accidents by adjusting settings and deploying seatbelts).
Specifications:
Length: 5,062 mm (199.6 in)
Width: 1,896 mm (74.6 in)
Height: 1,473 mm (58 in)
Wheelbase: 3,032 mm (119.4 in)
Trim Levels and Variants:
The S-Class W221 was available as a sedan or limousine.
Trim levels included the base S-Class, S-Class V12 Biturbo, AMG S63, and Mercedes-Maybach (a high-end variant with additional features and luxury appointments).
Special editions included the S 65 AMG Final Edition and the Maybach Exelero.
Reception and Sales:
The W221 received positive reviews for its advanced technology, comfort, and refinement.
It won several awards, including the 2007 World Luxury Car of the Year title.
Over 300,000 units were sold worldwide during its production run.