Mercedes-Benz, S-Class, W221 Overview

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.