ercedes-Benz introduced the W220 S-Class in 1999 as a complete departure from more Teutonic designs of decades past. This new flagship would be both efficient and luxurious, and was hailed as a technological marvel upon its release.
Throughout the early 1990s, Daimler-Benz had focused on technology; dabbling in various markets such as aerospace, electronics, and software. By 1996, the firm was also working toward cutting costs and increasing efficiency, efforts which increased profitability. At this time, the W220’s design was being finalized. In 1998, the Daimler-Chrysler merger was completed.
The new S-Class was conceived in response to criticism of its predecessor. The result was modern and sumptuous, and the S-Class was forever reimagined. Designed by Steve Mattin and Bruno Sacco, the W220 was smaller than the W140, yet with more interior volume. A sleeker shape yielded a low drag coefficient of 0.27 and weighed roughly 650 pounds less than the W140.
Company board member Dr. Dieter Zetsche said, “In total, the new S-Class derives its desirability from the classic virtues of a Mercedes-Benz – by associating reason and emotion. Thanks to its familiar strengths of comfort and safety it guarantees a sense of calm, and with its elegant design and well-balanced driving characteristics it embodies sheer enjoyment”.
Technology forward
The W220 became the trendsetter for passenger car technology, featuring 340 patents. The new S-Class was the first to offer Distronic; a radar-based cruise control system that could maintain a fixed distance to vehicle ahead. Parktronic was a further driving aid that would assist via sensors in the front and rear bumpers. For the first time Keyless Go was also included.
Audio system, navigation, telephone, and television controls were all integrated into one head-unit called COMAND. The COMAND unit was paired with a higher quality BOSE audio system. Linguatronics voice recognition system was further developed in conjunction with COMAND. In 1996, the Linguatronics system could understand 30 words, whereas in 2000 the system was able to comprehend 300 words.
Automated interior
The W220 was engineered with automation in mind. The climate control system was fully automatic with built-in pollen and charcoal filters. The seats were electronically adjustable with memory function and heat/ventilation, and available with multi-contour backrests and a PULSE massage function. The dynamic multi-contour seat features several air chambers that inflate and deflate depending on driving conditions. A computer integrated into the seat was able to compute steering angle, lateral acceleration, and road speed and calculate the optimum inflation for the best possible occupant comfort. Technology aside, the interior was available in several leather and Nappa upholsteries, as well as hand-polished burl walnut or eucalyptus wood trim.
Powerful drivelines
Per Mercedes tradition, the W220 was offered with several engines. Upon release, the new S-Class was available in two V-8 M113 variants; the 4.3-liter S430 and 5.0-liter S500 making 279 and 306 horsepower, respectively. The S430 and S500 were available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive; a first for any S-Class.
To join the pair was the 369-horsepower S600, powered by the 5.8-liter naturally aspirated M137. This powerplant was short lived – it was replaced by a new 5.4-liter twin-turbocharged M275 V-12 capable of producing a healthy 500 horsepower. This S600 could sprint to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. The S350 powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 was available only for the 2006 model year.
All V-8 and V-12 models came with an optional automatic cylinder shut off system. This system essentially turned the S500 into a four-cylinder when traveling at highway speeds. Fuel consumption was reduced between 13-15 percent with the system activated.
All W220 engines were paired to a five-speed automatic transmission with two driving modes; S (standard) and W (wet or winter). In W mode, the transmission begins in 2nd gear to minimize wheel spin in slippery conditions.
Advanced chassis systems
The W220 offered two suspension options. AIRmatic, as well as Active Body Control (ABC for short). AIRmatic is an electronic air suspension system based on ADS-II (Adaptive Damping System) that automatically adjusts the shock absorbers depending on road conditions and surface.
Active Body Control was the hallmark suspension system for the S-Class. ABC is a hydropneumatic suspension system with small dampers and hydraulic servo-motors on the top of the strut that can compensate for virtually all body roll. This system makes the W220 incredibly nimble and comfortable. The hydraulic system could quickly adjust the damping, which allowed for a comfort and sport mode. As well, both suspensions allow for the vehicle to be raised and lowered.
AMG power
For those in search of more performance, AMG had the answer. The S55 AMG was a highly modified version of the W220 which initially began as a naturally aspirated version of the S500. In 2003, the S55 was given a supercharger which boosted power output from 355 horsepower to 493. Supercharged models are named “Kompressor.”
AMG modifications included brakes and wheels up-rated to handle such a large amount of power in a vehicle this size. All S55 models were equipped with Active Body Control. The icing on the cake was AMG specific styling that included 18-inch AMG alloy wheels and AMG body elements. Premium features such as dynamic-multicontour seats were standard on AMG models.
The holy grail of the W220 S-Class was the S65 AMG. Dubbed the world’s most powerful sedan, this AMG modified V-12 variant was capable of producing 604 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. The S65 would reach 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds. While a quick 0-60 time is valuable in a car of this caliber, the S65 truly belonged to the Autobahn. Yet even with all its power, the S65 was able to maintain an average 17 miles per gallon on long-distance trips. For one brief month in 2001, an S63 AMG powered by a 6.3-liter V-12 was sold in Europe and Asia. Production was limited to around 70 units. This model was sold exclusively through AMG.
Advanced safety
The Mercedes-Benz W220 S-Class offers many safety amenities. The advanced W220 chassis is constructed from a combination of high-strength steel and aluminum. Interior features include 2 frontal airbags, 4 side curtain airbags, as well as 2 window airbags.
In 2001, a preventative braking system called PRE-SAFE was released. The system was capable of recognizing an imminent collision and preparing the vehicle in several ways. For instance, the system could tension the seat belts, and adjust all seats in an optimal position for impact if one were to occur.
The PRE-SAFE system, combined with DISTRONIC, resulted in a very safe car that actively monitors the road ahead. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Brake assist were standard on the W220. Road handling would of course be improved with 4MATIC.
The commitment to safety-enhancing technology included rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlights with sensors that actuated the headlights and adjusted the instrument cluster and center console illumination. As well, exterior mirrors were automatically heated to maximize visibility.
C215 CL, the S-Class coupe
Based on the W220, the C215 CL coupe offered all of the advanced features of the sedan, such as Distronic and ABC suspension. The design is derived from the W220, translated into coupe form. The CL carries on the company tradition of a coupe with a pillarless side-window profile. The C215 was the world’s first automobile to feature both low- and high-beam Bi-Xenon headlamps. Model variants include the CL500, CL55 AMG, CL600, CL65 AMG, and the ultra-rare CL63 AMG which is powered by a 6.3L V12; only 26 units were produced and and were only offered overseas.
Checkpoints
• The W220 has not fared well with corrosion. Check the bottom of doors, on trunk surface, and where fenders and bumpers meet.
• Check suspension system for error codes, apparent sag. Collapsed air struts or hydropneumatic struts are costly to replace.
• Listen for any unusual noise from air suspension pump. A leak in the system can cause the pump to burn out.
• Faulty electrical plug leading to transmission can fill with oil resulting in range of shift-related transmission issues. Pneumatic system equipment (PSE) pump can fail due to leak within a vacuum line. A faulty pump leads to problems such as the soft-close doors, and front-seat lumbar and dynamic multi-contour elements becoming inoperable.
• Faulty brake lamp switch can cause assorted issues such as a transmission locked in park .
• Instrument clusters known to fail.
• Electrical components may fail due to age.
• Suspension bushings require routine maintenance, as do engine and transmission mounts.
Reasons to buy
• The W220 is incredibly innovative. Many of the features offered are only now becoming standard on new cars.
• DISTRONIC and PRE-SAFE are modern amenities that help maintain technological relevance in today’s world.
• Cars equipped with ABC have ride quality second to none.
• Majority of engines are reliable.
• Value in today’s market is unprecedented. A well-sorted W220 can be found for a very reasonable sum.
• Among the safest vehicles on the road.
• S-Class engineering at a fraction of the cost of today’s S-Class.
Reasons not to buy
• These once six-figure cars still require the maintenance of one.
• Suspension systems can be very expensive to overhaul.
• Many systems are first-generation and not as refined as today.
• Vehicles may have gotten into careless hands, resulting in poor upkeep and neglected maintenance.
• Corrosion is a concern.
The W220 today
The W220 S-Class was originally conceived to boldly and completely redefine the luxury automotive segment. If correctly bought, this turn of the century flagship of Mercedes-Benz style, safety and technology can offer the canny buyer an elegant and modern vehicle of compelling quality and value.