Plant your right foot to break the silence with a firm downshift before the car lurches forward with urgency. S450 doesn't so much have a power curve as a seamless surge of thrust at any RPM. It's not warp drive per se, but it's much more than adequate for most drivers. When pushed, the 4.7 litre engine emits enough sound to cause a grin- but mostly performs in silence.
Power is delivered to all four wheels through Mercedes' 4-Matic all wheel drive system. If you've ever needed to drive a high-luxury car around in a blizzard, this could make it a cinch.
Snow Tires Mandatory / The Pre-Safe system
In fact, with a full arsenal of winter blasting features, chrome jewelry and silvery iridium colored skin, the tester looked like a true and proper roadgoing winter weapon. You'll need snow tires though, as the optional 19-inch AMG wheels wear performance rubber that isn't meant for use in the snow.
In one instance, your correspondent was treated to a demonstration of the Pre-Safe accident preparation system, the car warning of an impending impact with beepers and a tug on the seatbelt to position me for the airbag. Thankfully, some creative driving allowed the car to escape the helpless low-speed skid unscathed.
Options fit for the discerning pilot
Pre-Safe is just one item on a list of neato features. A night-vision display allows drivers to see farther up the road than their naked eye alone, meaning more potential time to avoid an after-dark accident. It's as much a novelty as a safety feature- very cool stuff.
Additionally, radar-guided cruise control automatically brakes when approaching a slower car, and a parking assistant ensures you don't leave any nano-particle based clearcoat on someone else's ride when moving in tight quarters. For a yacht-sized sedan, S450 parks easily too.
The top-line seats power adjust in any way you might fathom, featuring a dozen or more air-bladders that allow a complete customization to your backside. They'll even give you a massage in your choice of four different styles.
Beam one up?
Anything it doesn't do? As far as a car is concerned, not really. The delicious blend of muscle, luxury, technology and supreme comfort are really out of this world. Carmakers all have flagship vehicles- but the Mercedes Benz S-Class might just be the flagship sedan of our entire planet.
photo:Justin Pritchard
Power is delivered to all four wheels through Mercedes' 4-Matic all wheel drive system. If you've ever needed to drive a high-luxury car around in a blizzard, this could make it a cinch.
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| Leather, wood and metal come together inside for an opulent atmosphere. |
Snow Tires Mandatory / The Pre-Safe system
In fact, with a full arsenal of winter blasting features, chrome jewelry and silvery iridium colored skin, the tester looked like a true and proper roadgoing winter weapon. You'll need snow tires though, as the optional 19-inch AMG wheels wear performance rubber that isn't meant for use in the snow.
In one instance, your correspondent was treated to a demonstration of the Pre-Safe accident preparation system, the car warning of an impending impact with beepers and a tug on the seatbelt to position me for the airbag. Thankfully, some creative driving allowed the car to escape the helpless low-speed skid unscathed.
Options fit for the discerning pilot
Pre-Safe is just one item on a list of neato features. A night-vision display allows drivers to see farther up the road than their naked eye alone, meaning more potential time to avoid an after-dark accident. It's as much a novelty as a safety feature- very cool stuff.
Additionally, radar-guided cruise control automatically brakes when approaching a slower car, and a parking assistant ensures you don't leave any nano-particle based clearcoat on someone else's ride when moving in tight quarters. For a yacht-sized sedan, S450 parks easily too.
The top-line seats power adjust in any way you might fathom, featuring a dozen or more air-bladders that allow a complete customization to your backside. They'll even give you a massage in your choice of four different styles.
Beam one up?
Anything it doesn't do? As far as a car is concerned, not really. The delicious blend of muscle, luxury, technology and supreme comfort are really out of this world. Carmakers all have flagship vehicles- but the Mercedes Benz S-Class might just be the flagship sedan of our entire planet.
 |
| Power is delivered to all four wheels through Mercedes' 4-Matic all wheel drive system. |
photo:Justin Pritchard
2008 Mercedes S-Class S450 4MATIC
2008 Mercedes S-Class S450 4MATIC
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