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2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

For many, the S-Class has been the epitome of luxury. Today, Mercedes-Benz has just released some details on its next-generation S-Class. It's kind of a big deal.

 From the new features, the driving experience for the new S-Class seems to be very pleasant. Weight has been cut by approximately 300 pounds to 4442 pounds, and a new twin-turbocharged, 4.7-liter V-8 engine provides 455 horsepower and 516 pounds-feet of torque. The old S550 has a twin-turbocharged, 4.6-liter V-8 with only 429 horsepower. 

 There is a new suspension system available called Magic Body Control that uses a camera to scan the road ahead for bumps. The redesigned Airmatic air suspension will adjust according to the bumps the camera has detected in order to give the smoothest ride possible. Magic Body Control will work up to 80 miles per hour.

 Top speed is electronically limited to 130 miles per hour in the U.S., and 155 miles per hour in Europe. Mercedes declares that the new S-Class will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds. 

 Inside, the S-Class has an optional high-end Burmester sound system, heated and massaging seats with 14 separate air bladders, heated armrests, a 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver and above the center controls, capacitive buttons for the climate controls, and the Air Balance Package that can adjust fragrances in the car, air filtration and ionization levels. There's also a new voice recognition for the multimedia system with the ability to read texts and emails. Of course, the cabin is loaded with wood and leather, and there are plenty of colors palettes to choose from.

 Mercedes says that the new S-Class is the first car with no regular light bulbs. All the lighting elements combined consist of nearly 500 LEDs. This allows for much customization of interior mood lighting, with 5 dimming levels, 4 dimming zones and 7 colors.

 For 2014, the S-Class has a new Pre-Safe accident detection system, rear seat belts with an airbag in each, and a city braking system that can brake the car automatically up to 30 miles per hour to avoid hitting things. When it comes time to parallel park, there is a semiautonomous parking system that can help you park.

 The rear-wheel-drive S550 will go on sale in September, with the all-wheel-drive S550 4Matic and S63 AMG coming in November. V-12 S-Classes come next year in the form of the S600 and S65 AMG. Outside of the U.S., there will be a gas-electric hybrid with a V-6 engine, a diesel V-6 model, and a diesel-electric hybrid that utilizes a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. It is not clear if or when those models will come to the United States. 

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