The standard-bearer for luxury, the Mercedes S550 is a base-model sedan by which all other luxury sedans are measured. Style and substance best describes this 4-door, 429-horsepower, technological machine.
Bringing more power to this year’s model is the standard 4.6-liter, biturbo, V-8 engine with advanced twin turbocharging. Advanced design means reduced emissions, fuel consumption and even overall noise. Other advances include the Attention Assist system that monitors parameters of driving behavior, alerting a drowsy driver with visual and audible warnings. Safety is a theme with this tech-savvy vehicle, with the Pre-Safe Brake system, a radar-based cruise control monitoring system that assesses speeds of vehicles ahead to detect distances and sudden traffic irregularities. The system can go so far as stopping the vehicle if necessary.
Building for comfort and visual appeal is another of Mercedes’s traits, and elements of the S550 in particular make it a truly advanced model for the luxury automobile manufacturer. Among the features is burl walnut wood trim, a panoramic sunroof and richly grained leather upholstery. Custom-tailored support in the front seats gives lumbar support, shoulder support and massage options for comfort and even safety. Massage features are meant to help prevent fatigue and, according to the carmaker, can assist in the event of an accident.
Overall performance is impressive, with mechanics that give the driver a sporty command of the road, assurance in braking and comfort when maneuvering curves and road obstructions. Further enhancing driving enjoyment is the standard Harman Kardon Logic 7® sound system, which fills the cabin with 600 watts of music power streaming through 15 speakers with impeccable sound.
Mercedes Benz S550
- City MPG 15
- Hwy MPG 25
- 0-60 MPH 4.8 sec
- Transmission 7-speed Automatic
- MSRP $95,000
