SPY PICS: Next S-class sheds bulge

Mercedes-Benz tones down next S-class limousine as Paris world debut approaches
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Mercedes-Benz is preparing to unveil a significantly toned-down S-Class, as these exclusive spy shots of the eighth-generation German limousine show.

Snapped by motoring.com.au’s intrepid Editor in Chief on a Stuttgart freeway over the weekend, the redesigned S-class will shed the current model’s controversially promiscuous rear wheel-arch bulges in favour of a far more conservative look, which should be officially revealed at this year’s Paris Motor Show in September before going on sale here late next year.

The move to broaden the big Benz’s appeal is natural, given the next S-class will become Daimler’s flagship model in the absence of uber-luxury brand Maybach, which will cease to exist beyond 2013 following slow sales.

While its direct rivals in BMW-owned Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen’s Bentley brand are going gangbusters, Maybach attracted just 13 buyers during its decade or so on sale in Australia, where it has not sold a car since 2009.

About 3000 Maybach vehicles have been sold globally, but the W220 S-Class-based Maybach 57 and 62 models will be discontinued once the current order bank is exhausted next year.

Meantime, sales of the existing S-Class - a facelifted version of which went on sale here in February 2011 - were down by more than 30 per cent to April this year, but the biggest Mercedes remains the nation’s most popular upper large car priced over $100,000, with 36 sales and a 31.3 per cent share of the segment.

So far this year Porsche’s Panamera is just three sales behind the S-class at 33, followed by Audi’s A8 (31), Bentley and Jaguar XJ (both on 20) an BMW’s 7 Series, which has found just 15 Australian buyers so far this year, while the Lexus LS has racked up eight sales and Rolls-Royce six.

To help lift sales and fill the void vacated by Maybach, the next S-class is expected to grow in size and luxury.

As we reported in November, when the axing of Maybach became official, the new S-Class will be more generously specified and available in up to six model variants, including a new super-luxury model to cater for extra well-heeled buyers.

To give the W222 S-Class, which will also spawn an all-new S-Class Coupe to replace the current CL coupe, its best chance of success in the absence of Maybach, Benz will also ramp up the sales and service experience for customers.

Commensurate with its position at the top of the Mercedes-Benz sedan range, the 2013 model will debut a new line-up of petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains, as well as a host of new safety and driver-aid technologies to be revealed later this year.

They include the ‘@yourCOMAND’ telematics system, which employs blackbox-style technology that allows Mercedes to detect and potentially rectify any mechanical problems in real-time via the internet.

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