Mercedes-Benz is putting the finishing touches on the new iteration of the iconic S-Class sedan, and our friends at Motor Trend have found pictures of the upcoming super-sedan testing at–where else–the Nurburgring.
The car is still wearing plenty of camouflage at this stage (we’d call it more of a quilted blanket), but we hear that the car is headed to Mercedes-Benz showrooms sometime next year. From there, Benz should follow with an extended-wheelbase model and a new S-Class coupe, the latter due to replace the CL-class in 2013. A four-seat convertible, patterned after the 2007 Ocean Drive concept, could follow in 2014.
Underhood, expect the S-Class to follow Benz’s pattern of fitting turbochargers to smaller engines in order to blend big power with a reduced thirst for fuel. Internationally, the car will be offered with anything from a 200-horse turbo-diesel four-cylinder to a 544-horse V-12, but expect options for American market to be rather limited. Possibilities for U.S.-spec cars include a new 300-350-hp twin-turbocharged V-6, a 430-510-hp turbocharged V-8, and a hybrid system that mates a 3.0-liter V-6 with an electric motor.
Inside, expect the cabin to be luxuriously appointed, as we would expect from the S-Class. But to make those leather seats a bit cushier and the ride just a bit more supple, Mercedes may offer a new Magic Body Control system, which uses two cameras to scan the road ahead and make adjustments to the suspension to iron out upcoming potholes or imperfections. The whole infotainment/safety/security system will be controlled by an updated version of Benz’s Comand system.
Expect to see more details soon about the car as its release date nears. In the meantime, head over to our sibling site, Motor Trend, for more shots of this car.
