2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 Thousands Available Online at 800-851-9000

Dec. 29, 2009 - PRLog -- 2010 Mercedes-Benz Review
Unless you’re Rain Man—or an S-class nerd—it’s going to be mighty hard to tell the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-class from the one that’s been on sale since early 2006. The exterior changes are essentially limited to a new front bumper and grille; an integrated exhaust at the rear; and the use of LEDs for the taillamps and daytime running lights and as accent lights in the headlamps. But the minor aesthetic changes hide more state-of-the-art tech underneath, as well as one unwelcome mechanical change.

The new technologies found in the 2010 S, which goes on sale in August, include much of the stuff introduced with the recently redesigned 2010 E-class. That means adaptive high-beams, the addition of pedestrian detection for the night-view assist, a lane-keeping system, and the attention-assist system. Interior changes to the new S-class include a new steering wheel and ambient lighting that is now selectable to one of three hues instead of one. The 2010 model also gets updated Bluetooth functionality, an SD card reader in the dash, an iPod/media interface in the glove box, and HD radio.

The S550 continues to be powered by a 382 horsepower V8 with optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, and achieves 14 city, 21 highway EPA estimated miles per gallon. Not quite as fast as the more powerful S600 -- the S550 will sprint from zero-to-60 in 5.4 seconds.

The pricier S600 retains its 510 hp V12 which consumes fuel at the rate of 11 miles per gallon city, and 17 on the highway according to the EPA. The faster S600 will sprint from zero-to-60 in just 4.5 seconds.

One of the most noticeable changes across the lineup is the addition of daytime LED running lights fitted to the outer edges of the bi-xenon lamp units. The rear end is also accented with a total of 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two taillights. Gone are the body-colored strips through the taillamps.

Mercedes-Benz also makes more use of light as a styling element in the interior via the standard ambient lighting, now with a choice between three lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice-blue).

Another noticeable change at the front of the car is a more pronounced arrow-shaped grille, plus a new front bumper with a light-catching contour and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes. Exhaust tailpipes of all S-Class variants are now visibly integrated into the rear bumper. Mercedes-Benz says its engineers have also implemented specific aerodynamic measures to reduce wind noise.

Camera and radar-based driver assistance systems include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and the Pre-Safe brake system linked to the proximity regulating radar, which intervenes autonomously before an impending rear-end collision. Other highlights include the Attention Assist driver drowsiness monitor and Active Body Control with automatic crosswind stabilization.