2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5.5L V8

• Bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps-inc: polycarbonate lenses, automatic level control, driver-selectable light-sensing auto-on headlamp, automatic lamp substitution, heated headlamp washers
• Dual heated auto-folding pwr mirrors-inc: memory, auto-dimming driver mirror, integrated LED turn signals
• Front halogen foglamps
• Infrared-reflecting & noise insulating glass
• Pwr tilt/slide tinted glass sunroof w/1-touch express open, memory
• Rain-sensing aero-blade windshield wipers w/heated washer system
• Single rear foglamp
• Variable doorstop

• 14-way pwr heated front bucket seats-inc: pwr lumbar, 3-position seat memory
• 20-GB hard drive-based in-dash GPS navigation system
• Active front head restraints w/adjustable height & fore-aft, built-in keypad beneath headrest for hands-free communication & radio presets
• Adjustable fiber-optic ambient lighting feature
• Anti-theft client alarm notification w/remote panic feature
• Audible reminders & messages-inc: exterior lamp failure, low fuel, engine oil, coolant, washer fluid, headlights on, remove key from ignition, door & sunroof open
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Automatic dual-zone climate control-inc: electrostatic dust & pollen filters, sun, humidity & dew point sensors, tunnel mode w/1-touch closing of all windows, seat belt usage sensors (allows climate control to focus first on occupied seats)
• Auxiliary pwr outlet
• COMAND cockpit management & data system for operation of vehicles systems
• Cruise control
• Digital instrumentation-inc: speedometer, odometer, Touch Shift gear & shift modes selection
• Dual front/rear reading lamps
• Electronic analog tachometer & fuel gauge
• Front/rear floor mats
• Hand-polished Burl Walnut wood trim
• Hands-free communication system w/voice control
• Harmon/kardon LOGIC7 600-Watt digital surround system-inc: AM/FM stereo, 6-disc CD changer, MP3 capability, (14) speakers, 5.1 channel amplifier, dynamic volume control, fiber-optic communication among components
• Integrated HomeLink compatible (3) button garage door opener
• Leather Upholstery
• Leather-wrapped pwr 4-way tilt/telescopic steering wheel-inc: mounted shift buttons, audio, voice, telephone & multi-function display controls, programmable easy-exit, memory
• Locator lighting
• Mercedes-Benz Maintenance System Plus display-inc: distance remaining to next maintenance, type of service due, reminders
• Multi-function displays in instrument cluster faces-inc: trip computer, exterior temp gauge, maintenance system, oil level check, digital speedometer, reminder & malfunction messages, driver-programmable settings, audio status, navigation route guidance
• Night security illumination
• PCMCIA memory card slot
• Pwr rear window sunshade w/1-touch express up/down
• Pwr windows w/1-touch express up/down
• Quad illuminated vanity mirrors
• Rear head restraints in all seating positions w/manually adjustable fore-aft
• Rear window defroster w/auto-shutoff based on time, driving speed & exterior temp
• SmartKey infrared remote-inc: trunk open, windows & sunroof open/close, panic alarm, fuel filler door, selective unlock
• SmartKey system-inc: remote central locking system, anti-theft engine immobilizer, drive away automatic locking
• Tele Aid global positioning system (GPS) satellite system-inc: stolen vehicle recovery, remote door unlock service, automatic alarm & collision notification
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Touch turn signals (flashes (3) times w/1-touch)

• 18 x 8.5 9-spoke aluminum wheels
• 5.5L SFI DOHC 32-valve V8 engine
• 7-speed electronically controlled driver-adaptive automatic transmission w/ Touch Shift
• Airmatic semi-active suspension w/ADS II adaptive damping
• Anti-lock disc brakes system (ABS) w/brake assist system
• Electronic parking brake w/automatic disengagement
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Independent 4-link front suspension-inc: anti-lift control, gas-pressurized shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
• Independent 5-arm multi-link rear suspension-inc: anti-squat & anti-dive systems
• P255/45R18 all-season tires
• Pwr 4-piston perforated & vented front & 1-piston vented rear disc brakes
• Pwr vehicle-speed-sensitive rack & pinion steering
• Rear wheel drive

• 3-point front/rear outboard belts-inc: emergency tensioning device, adaptive force limiter, automatic shoulder belt height-adjusters
• Anti-lock disc brakes system (ABS) w/brake assist system
• Child safety rear door locks
• Driver & front passenger adaptive dual-stage airbags
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Emergency interior trunk release w/illumination
• Front passenger occupant classification system
• Front/rear side airbags
• Front/rear side window curtain airbags w/rollover sensor
• PRE-SAFE collision preparedness system
• Rear center automatic shoulder belt height adjustable 3-point seat belt
• Universal LATCH (lower anchors & tethers for children) system

Model Highlights

The 2008 S550 has a 382-horsepower 5.5L V8 engine, while the S600 gets a 5.5L twin-turbo V12 engine that makes 510 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque. The S550's V8 is matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission, while the S600's V12 runs through a five-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available on the S550. Both the 550 and the 600 come extremely well equipped with both traditional luxury and comfort features and the latest high-tech safety and driving aids. All S-Class models come with eight air bags. Full leather upholstery and hand-polished wood trim are standard inside the S550, while the S600 gets hand-polished Gloss Burl Walnut trim. One especially notable interior feature is the Dynamic Multi-Contour Seats, standard on the S600 and optional on the S550. In the front seats, 11 individually adjustable air chambers optimize support for your back, even adapting for cornering forces. The standard sound system is a harman/kardon audio system with 13 channels and 14 speakers. The system is MP3 and DVD audio compatible and also includes a six-disc changer and memory-card reader. The S550 comes with plenty of high-tech equipment, including a navigation system with a built-in 20-GB hard drive, heated seats, special interior ambient lighting, a power rear sunblind, dual-zone climate control, bi-xenon headlamps with active curve illumination, heated washers, and a hands-free communication system with voice control. The S600 adds nearly all the remaining S550 options as standard equipment, including an active night-vision system, dynamic rearview monitor, the Distronic Plus radar-based cruise control system, ventilated Dynamic Multi-Contour seating for the front and back, active head restraints, active body control (ABC), and a panoramic glass sunroof. All S-Class models get the latest version of the COMAND system, a screen-based interface that controls a host of vehicle settings, plus navigation, audio, and climate control functions. The S-Class also gets a new Brake Assist Plus system, which warns the driver of the potential for a collision, then applies full braking through the powerful four-wheel vented-disc system the instant the driver touches the brake pedal; the system also primes the car's safety systems. The S600 is also the first vehicle to be equipped with adaptive LED brake lights that flash rapidly during emergency braking, according to Mercedes-Benz. The S63 and S65 AMG versions are available for performance enthusiasts, and feature all manner of AMG enhancements. The S63 AMG is new for 2008, and offers the AMG panache at a base price of $127,000 versus the S65's $194,000. The S63 is powered by a 518-horsepower 6.3L V8 that is mated to a smooth seven-speed automatic transmission. Highlights of the S65 AMG include a bi-turbo 6.0L V12 engine and the exclusivity that a $194,000 price tag offers.