With all kinds of sorcery inside the 2014 S-class—magical suspensions, invisible hot stones, ionized-air purification—Mercedes-Benz could have started its flagship at a clean 100 grand and no one would have been surprised. Instead, the new S550 will cost $93,825 when it launches next month.
That’s $2080 less than the 2013 S550. The 4MATIC all-wheel-drive option remains an additional $3000, bringing the 2014 S550 4MATIC to $96,825. For the black-truffle crowd, the S63 AMG is discounted $480 yet comes standard with 4MATIC and a welcome 577 horsepower. These last two models show up later at dealers in November.
While Mercedes wants to play competitive in the supersize-sedan segment, however, it’s not donating alms. Those base prices bring none of the new car’s game-changing features, such as the road-scanning Magic Body Control suspension, a “hot-stone” back-massage feature with heated armrests, and what may be the most expensive plug-in perfume canisters in history. The semi-autonomous Driver Assistance package, which can drive and partially steer the S-class at speeds up to 124 mph and stop it at speeds up to 31 mph, is a $2800 option. Night vision with animal detection, along with most of the fancy features we tested during our first drive in July, will most likely cost more than that.
- First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-class
- Instrumented Test: 2013 BMW 760Li
- Official Photos and Info: 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
Granted, Mercedes gave in a little. The $1090 Panoramic roof is now standard and the wipers include Magic Vision Control, which integrates multiple washer jets into the wiper blades. All of the lights, inside and out, are bright, fast-reacting LEDs, and the 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 is up 26 horsepower to 455.
Mercedes hasn’t released the complete options-pricing list for the new S-class, nor has it priced ultra-premium V-12 models such as the S600 and S65 AMG. The S400 hybrid and diesel S350 BlueTec are gone, and an S500 plug-in hybrid that promises up to 18 electric miles will debut in the U.S. next year. A stretch Pullman and convertible will come later for anyone rubbing a magic lamp—or with well more than $200,000 to burn.
Source: CarAndDriver
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