Mercedes Benz S Class

Mercedes Benz S600
Replacing the 560SEL as Mercedes' flagship model, the S600 set new standards in big sedan production. While its luxury was something many people had come to expect from the Stuttgart, Germany company, the car still had a few surprises. Items such as rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, electronic everything, including front and rear seats, sun shades and steering wheel adjustment, showed that Mercedes were at the forefront of limousine-like quality.

But the S600 was marketed as being more than just a gadget machine, with adverts showing it as a performance car with a lot of driver involvement. Thanks to double wishbones at the front and a self-levelling multi-link rear, it handled very well. The brand new all-alloy 48v VI2 engine was insisted on by Mercedes' marketing department, and it had massive torque through the rev range. For safety it used ASR to prevent tailslides during loss of traction.