redline
09-13-2003, 04:16 PM
Ever since the introduction BMW’s 750IL in 1989, the race for the biggest, fastest and most luxurious German V12 Saloon was on. It was this incident that led to the beginning of the research and development of Mercedes-Benz’s first V12 Sedan: The W140 1992 600SEL Long Wheelbase Sedan. With its 6.0 Liter V12, it was made to do one thing: beat Bavaria’s best.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p0868eda5ade6f4fd824ca198482f8ec3/fb3ddcec.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/pa743ca37650e436a4e8bf36004457949/fb3ddce8.jpg
Upon the arrival of the completely redesigned W140 S Class on the shores of the States in late 1991 as a 1992 model, the S-Class surpassed BMW’s best by far in every category. With a newly engineered 6.0-liter twin-DOHC 48-valve aluminum-alloy V-12, it was lighter and more powerful than BMW’s 12 that was a full liter smaller (displacement). New for the W140 S Class was a specially engineered 4-speed Automatic Transmission with Adaptive Dampening System to harness the 402 hp the V12 delivered.
Other options included 4-zone (dual front and rear) automatic climate control with activated charcoal filter, electric rear-window sunshade, exclusive multi-tone leather upholstery, heated multicontour 12-way power front seats, each with 3-position memory, 11-speaker Bose® Beta sound system, integrated CD changer and heated rear seats. Sporty 4-place seating was also available as well as burl-walnut tray tables (integrated into the backs of the front seats).
In 1992, Mercedes-Benz sold 1,047 of these V12 wonders. You could become a proud owner of one for a ripe price of $127,800. As the years went on, Mercedes felt the need to improve upon perfection. By 1995, prices had climbed to $130,300 USD and only 618 were sold, and by 1999 Mercedes-Benz only sold 14 S600's. But not to be discouraged by the falling numbers, Mercedes-Benz engineers went to work on the next generation S-Class Sedan.
In 1999, the completely new Mercedes S-Class Flagship sedan made its debuted appearance as the W220 S430 and S500 Sedans. One year later, the S Class lineup was expanded to include the S55 AMG Limited Production Sports Sedan, and the all new S600 V12 Sedan.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p4345c1222861a9d74815e3919165c582/fb3ddce7.jpg
With Mercedes leading the horsepower race against BMW’s dated 750il, BMW headed back to the drawing board with the (now) infamous Chris Bangle as chief designer for the new BMW 7-Series Sedan.
In 2003, BMW introduced the 760LI V12 Sedan. With its 6.0L V12 producing 438 hp, Mercedes strikes back with another leading innovation in its class: The S600 Twin-Turbo. For 2003, Mercedes has its S600 Sedan producing an astonishing 493hp, again taking the lead in the horse power race.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p444eaa2ee30153cb1d8cfed5eb10cdb1/fb2f0603.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/pbe2f461ec6594730a44d04c3043fa155/fb2f0602.jpg
Again on top where it belongs, the 2003 Mercedes S-Class sets the standards for top luxury, only beaten by its own brand: Maybach. With the revamping of the 7 Series exterior due later on this year, will we see a new V12 introduced? Or will Mercedes remain on top for another production cycle of 10 or more years?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p0868eda5ade6f4fd824ca198482f8ec3/fb3ddcec.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/pa743ca37650e436a4e8bf36004457949/fb3ddce8.jpg
Upon the arrival of the completely redesigned W140 S Class on the shores of the States in late 1991 as a 1992 model, the S-Class surpassed BMW’s best by far in every category. With a newly engineered 6.0-liter twin-DOHC 48-valve aluminum-alloy V-12, it was lighter and more powerful than BMW’s 12 that was a full liter smaller (displacement). New for the W140 S Class was a specially engineered 4-speed Automatic Transmission with Adaptive Dampening System to harness the 402 hp the V12 delivered.
Other options included 4-zone (dual front and rear) automatic climate control with activated charcoal filter, electric rear-window sunshade, exclusive multi-tone leather upholstery, heated multicontour 12-way power front seats, each with 3-position memory, 11-speaker Bose® Beta sound system, integrated CD changer and heated rear seats. Sporty 4-place seating was also available as well as burl-walnut tray tables (integrated into the backs of the front seats).
In 1992, Mercedes-Benz sold 1,047 of these V12 wonders. You could become a proud owner of one for a ripe price of $127,800. As the years went on, Mercedes felt the need to improve upon perfection. By 1995, prices had climbed to $130,300 USD and only 618 were sold, and by 1999 Mercedes-Benz only sold 14 S600's. But not to be discouraged by the falling numbers, Mercedes-Benz engineers went to work on the next generation S-Class Sedan.
In 1999, the completely new Mercedes S-Class Flagship sedan made its debuted appearance as the W220 S430 and S500 Sedans. One year later, the S Class lineup was expanded to include the S55 AMG Limited Production Sports Sedan, and the all new S600 V12 Sedan.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p4345c1222861a9d74815e3919165c582/fb3ddce7.jpg
With Mercedes leading the horsepower race against BMW’s dated 750il, BMW headed back to the drawing board with the (now) infamous Chris Bangle as chief designer for the new BMW 7-Series Sedan.
In 2003, BMW introduced the 760LI V12 Sedan. With its 6.0L V12 producing 438 hp, Mercedes strikes back with another leading innovation in its class: The S600 Twin-Turbo. For 2003, Mercedes has its S600 Sedan producing an astonishing 493hp, again taking the lead in the horse power race.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p444eaa2ee30153cb1d8cfed5eb10cdb1/fb2f0603.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/pbe2f461ec6594730a44d04c3043fa155/fb2f0602.jpg
Again on top where it belongs, the 2003 Mercedes S-Class sets the standards for top luxury, only beaten by its own brand: Maybach. With the revamping of the 7 Series exterior due later on this year, will we see a new V12 introduced? Or will Mercedes remain on top for another production cycle of 10 or more years?