Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220)


The Mercedes-Benz W220 is a range of flagship sedans marketed and manufactured by Mercedes Benz as the fourth generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class for model years 1998-2005. Replaced the W140 S-Class after model year 1998 The W220 offered long and short wheelbase versions, performance and luxury options; available four-wheel drive; and a range of diesel as well as gas/petrol V6, V8, and V12 engines. Compared to its predecessor, the W220 featured somewhat smaller exterior dimensions combined with greater interior volume, particularly in the long-wheelbase versions, and slightly less cargo volume.
Development began in 1992, with the final design, under the direction of Steve Mattin, approved in June 1995 and frozen in March 1996. The completed prototypes were presented in June 1998.
W220 pre-production began in April 1997, with regular/standard production following in September 1998, and C215 coupé production in 1999. Production of the 220-series totalled 484,683 units, slightly more than the production totals from the W140.
Production ended in late 2005, when the W220 was replaced by the W221 S-Class and the C215 was replaced in 2006 by the C216 CL-Class.

Styling

Steve Mattin's design was the first sketch drawn in October 1992 and developed into 1:1 scale by late 1994. In June 1995, the Daimler-Benz AG board of management approved Mattin's final design at 38 months before production. By March 1996, W220 program engineers completed the design freeze, 29 months before production start in August 1998. The W220 exterior design was previewed by the Mercedes-Benz F200 concept in late 1996. Being a Mercedes flagship vehicle worldwide, the S-Class largely popularized the theme.
A facelifted version of the S-Class was designed in late 2000 and introduced in September 2002, offering a more refined front-end with a larger, more upright grille, transparent headlamp housings with sealed-beam projectors, and revised taillights. Much of the rest of the exterior remained largely unchanged from first phase W220 models.
Inside, the update addressed several of the issues in the COMAND system and other interior features. Exterior updates included a more upright grille angle, new transparent housing for the headlamps, and restyled lower air intakes on the front bumper.
The S 600 series has a "V12" badge affixed to either side of the car, just forward of the front doors and back from the wheel wells.

Models

European Sales :
Year19992000200120022003200420052006Total
Units sold33,66731,39530,60921,33118,46913,79512,60924,858186,733

North American models

Approximate selection of US models. In the US, model years for the W220 were 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Not all versions were available in all model years.
  • S 350
  • S 430
  • S 500
  • S 600
  • S 55 AMG
  • S 65 AMG
Some models had options for Sport package, Designo, and/or 4Matic.
The W220 S-Class was introduced to the US, its second largest market for the S-Class, in 1999 for model year 2000, replacing the W140. In 1999, Mercedes-Benz sold 189,437 and hoped to exceed that the next year.
Early reviews noted the cost options. One automotive magazine spent several thousands on options for their review of the 2001 S-Class, increasing from the bas price from the mid US$70,000s to the $90,000s after delivery and taxes.
Other US models available at this time were the S430, S500, S55, and S600. A four-wheel drive system became an option for 2003 for the S430 and S500 along with mid-life upgrades that targeted a range of interior and exterior features. In the last U.S. W220 model year a V-6 was offered as the S350. Special interior, exterior colors and materials were marketed as "Designo" trim, including Espresso Edition and the Silver Edition for the twelve-cylinder S 600 with more leather over its surfaces.
The W220 based S65 AMG was also offered in 2006 concurrently with the new W221. The S 65 had a 604 hp, 738 lb-ft twin-turbo V-12 and other miscellaneous features inside and out. It retailed that year in the United States for about US$180,000. The V-12 had a displacement of 6 liters, in a single overhead cam, 36-valve configuration, and was paired with two turbochargers. The S 65 had four oval tail-pipes and AMG alloy wheels.

Specific versions

One of the most popular versions was the long-wheelbase S 500, with over 108,000 produced over the model run. On top of that, an additional over 13,000 all-wheel drive S 500 version were made and over 21,000 short-wheel base S 500 models. This works out to about 140,000 S 500 of all versions across all model years out of 484,683 of all W220 models over its production run. The W220's peak sales year was 2000, with 88,000 sold worldwide, but both 1999 and 2001 were close with well over 80,000 sold. Two unique models that had small runs were a factory produced 160 inch wheelbase "stretch limo" called a Pullman and a special security version called S-Guard.
The Pullman version was a Mercedes-Benz engineered version of the S-Class of this period, that went beyond the after market "stretch" to offer a host of advanced systems and enhanced comfort. One of those systems was the AMG Advanced Mobile Media System to support the concept of a mobile office from within the vehicle. Components of this system including 10.4 inch LCD monitors displaying data from a computer with mobile web access. The system could also support video display, both from a DVD player or tuner to pick up broadcast; with two screens, it could display both at the same time. An additional re-chargeable battery allowed the system to powered independently for a half-hour with the engine off. The AMG developed media system could connect to the World Wide Web using HSCSD or GPRS at up to 43 kilobits per second.
The AMG Advanced Mobile Media System debuted in 1999 on the Mercedes-Benz S 55 AMG, which was noted for featuring a six-channel digital audio system. The system debuted on S-Class with 2001 Pullman model. AMG signed a cooperation agreement with Daimler-Benz starting 1990, producing special models of MB vehicles and became further integrated in this period starting in 1991 with the foundation of Mercedes-AMG GmbH various changes driven especially by the success of AMG models in MB lines and expansions at Affalterbach, Germany.
The S-Class Pullman was offered as the S 500 or S 600 and was jointly developed by Mercedes and AMG. The Pullman is longer than the regular S-Class, providing of space in the rear seat area. This also additional seating for up to seven-passengers, with two rear facing seats in between the front and back seats. In six-seat configuration the rear bench seat capable of three is replaced by two independent chairs. In addition to the AMG multi-media system, there is also a bar supporting the consumption of cooled beverages, small tables, and a barrier to the front of the vehicle that. Along with this barrier is an intercom from the rear seat to the driver area to support communication within the vehicle. Mechanically, the roof, exhaust, side-panels and chassis featured changes to support the additional length. A special feature for people working on the car, is that the side panels can be easily removed like doors.

S 55 AMG

The S 55 AMG is a high performance version of the S-Class with a number of performance oriented modifications over the stock W220. The model name derives from displacement of the engine, an almost 5.5 litre V8. The early model had a naturally aspirated version of the engine with, and starting in 2003, it switched to a supercharged version with and of torque.
Other changes include enhanced brakes and wheels, with 14.2 inch brake discs at the front and 13 inch discs at the rear. The S 55 could also be equipped with Active Body Control, but this was not standard. The supercharged S 55 models had the Kompressor badge on the side. For more about AMG models with this engine see "55" 5.4 L V8 Kompressor.
Features added to the S 55 :
  • Active Body Control
  • *Automatic Level Control
  • *Sport Mode
  • 18-inch AMG alloy wheels with performance tires
  • AMG body kit including a new AMG front spoiler and rocker panels
  • 6-disk capacity CD player mounted in trunk
  • Ventilated seats with automatic massage
  • Bigger brakes

    S 600

The S 600 was the main 12-cylinder engine model of the W220. The increased output of the engine enabled this W220 to keep up with a Ferrari 575M Maranello according to one automotive magazine of the era. The 2003 S 600 could accelerate from 0- in 4.3 seconds and in 9.7 seconds. It was 1/10 second faster than the Ferrari in a quarter mile test, with the S 600 achieving in 12.5 seconds at. It could stop from in 164 feet with the OEM tires in that same testing. The 2003 model was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tires with a Y rating. In the US, the 2001 S 600 had a 5.8 liter V-12 making at 5500 rpm and up to of torque at 4100 rpm. The 2003 model update had a 5.5 liter V-12 with twin turbochargers, producing and of torque.
The S 600 was also a model of the S-Class Pullman, an even longer wheelbase version that was 1 meter longer and supporting up to seven passengers and mobile office technology.
A limited run of S 600L facelift sedans were produced featuring the same suite of options as the S-Class Pullman coupled with AMG body styling and AMG alloy wheels.
Features included on the S 600 :
  • Stitched leather and increased leather trim
  • *Leather dashboard
  • *Leather tray
  • *Leather console
  • *Leather doors
  • Wood shift knob
  • Wood and leather trim on steering wheel
  • Alcantara headliner
  • Four seats with heat and power operation
  • Four-zone climate control
  • Parktronic System