Kuala Lumpur, 30 June 2011 - After 5 years of production and sales of the S-Class V221 series in Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is pleased to present the new generation S 350 L and S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY with latest BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 engines. With an even more dynamic design, exceptional degree of comfort and path finding innovations, this extensively updated new series of the world's most successful luxury saloon is reiterating its claim to be the standard for automotive progress.

In addition the engine range includes three up-to-date petrol units, which generate the same, high output as in the preceding series but require up to fifteen percent less fuel. The high safety standard typical of the S-Class is further improved by a unique combination of new camera and radar based driver assistance systems, with innovations such as Speed Limit Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

The V221 series S-Class is the world's most successful luxury saloon, since 1951, when the Model 220 founded the lineage of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has sold around 3.3 million units of this model series.

Thanks to innovative technology, first-class comfort and trailblazing safety systems, the flagship model from Mercedes-Benz is seen as a pioneer in automotive development. In Malaysia, the S-Class has significantly been the market leader representing more than 50% of market share in its competitive segment.

The ultra-modern 3.5-litre V6 engine of the S 350 L BlueEFFICIENCY is naturally aspirated, but also suitable for the future use of a turbocharger thanks to the modular design concept. The most striking change between the new V6 unit and its predecessor is a reduction in the V-angle between the cylinder banks from 90 degrees to 60 degrees. This enables the primary balancer shaft to be omitted, and as a result the driver registers an outstanding level of comfort.

The design highlights of the 3.5-litre V6 include a completely new air intake and exhaust system in conjunction with a variable resonance intake manifold and optimised inflow and outflow. Result: with the same displacement, the output compared with the previous 200 kW (272 hp) model is increased by 12.5 percent to 225 kW (306 hp), while maximum torque has increased by 5.7 percent to 370 Newton metres (predecessor: 350 Nm) and now is available over a broad engine speed range from 3500 to 5250 rpm.

In parallel with this substantial increase in power, Mercedes engineers have achieved an even more impressive reduction in fuel consumption. The predecessor's NEDC consumption was already good at 10.0 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres, but has now been cut by almost a quarter. The new V6 petrol engine in the S 350 L BlueEFFICIENCY is content with 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres. That adds up to savings of 2.4 litres or 24 percent, and makes the S 350 L BlueEFFICIENCY the most economical petrol model in the luxury class. CO2 emissions have also fallen by 23.5 percent to 179 grams per kilometre (long wheelbase). The S 350 L BlueEFFICIENCY combines excellent consumption figures with dynamic performance, accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

The new V8 biturbo engine in the S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY generates 320 kW (435 hp) with 15 percent less displacement (4663 cc instead of 5461 cc), and therefore around twelve percent more output than its 285 kW (388 hp) predecessor. Torque has risen from 530 to 700 newton metres – an increase of 32 percent.

Despite a considerable increase in power of 35 kW (47 hp), Mercedes developers have been able to reduce the combined fuel consumption of the S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY significantly. At 9.3 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres, this is 16 percent (long wheelbase) below the figure for the preceding model. An outstanding figure in the luxury class, this corresponds to CO2 emissions of 219 grams per kilometre. The excellent efficiency goes hand in hand with superior performance: the S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY sprints from zero to 100 km/h in impressive 5.0 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited). The increase in output and torque despite the reduced displacement is mainly due to the use of two turbochargers – one for each bank of cylinders. These force the intake air into the eight combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 0.9. The turbochargers are configured to provide a high torque at low engine speeds, and an outstanding 600 newton metres are already available between 1600 and 4750 rpm.

A combination of ultra-modern assistance and protection systems turns the S Class into an "intelligent" partner that can see, feel, respond reflexively and act independently to prevent accidents or mitigate their effects. For the first time Mercedes-Benz also uses cameras in these systems - these are able to look well ahead, monitor the car's surroundings and interpret critical situations. One example is the Adaptive Highbeam Assist. This system recognises oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead with their lights on, and then controls the headlamps to ensure the best possible beam range without dazzling other road users.

As a new feature the Night View Assist Plus available on S 350 L and S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY with infrared camera is now equipped with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as the system detects pedestrians on the road ahead, they are highlighted on the display to make them more readily noticeable.

Thanks to an innovative technology the new generation S-Class has a very sensitive antenna for the attention level of its driver, and can warn him in time when he becomes drowsy. The drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST continuously monitors more than 70 different parameters. Once the evaluation electronics recognise the steering behaviour pattern that typically indicates the onset of drowsiness on the basis of information from the highly sensitive steering angle sensor, a warning signal is sounded and "ATTENTION ASSIST. Break!" appears in the instrument cluster.

Mercedes-Benz has also improved the long and medium-range radar used by Brake Assist (BAS) PLUS and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity cruise control with the new S 350 L and S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY.

Mercedes-Benz also offers another radar based system for the S-Class in the form of the PRE-SAFE® brake. If the driver is distracted and fails to recognise the immediate danger of a rear-end collision, or the warning signal of an assistance system, this system can intervene and brake the vehicle independently. The new generation S-Class makes use of the latest development stage of this safety system: if the driver fails to react even after automatic, partial braking action, the PRE-SAFE® Brake activates the maximum braking pressure around 0.6 seconds before what is now recognised as an unavoidable accident -- an emergency braking action that can significantly mitigate the severity of the impact. The PRE-SAFE® Brake therefore acts as something like an "electronic crumple zone".

Another radar based driver assistance system available in the S 350 L and S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY is the Blind Spot Assist. This system monitors the blind spot at the side of the vehicle to a distance of three metres. Visual warning is shown when there is a vehicle in the blind spot area and audible warning sound is given when the driver signals to change lane despite the visual warning. Blind Spot Assist is activated within the 30-250 km/h speed range.

The modified design of the new generation S-Class reflects the effortless superiority and power of the S-Class Saloon. It is characterised by the more pronounced arrow-shape of the radiator grille, plus a new front bumper with a discreet light-catching contour and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes. The headlamps have bi xenon technology as standard.

An even more dynamic look is ensured by the LED Light package with its striking LED arrays for daytime driving lights, indicators and driving lights. They lend an unmistakable day-and-night design to the front end. The rear end is characterised by tail lights in a new design, with horizontal, white light. Here too, a total of 52 LEDs arranged in a curved design form an unmistakable light signature.

In line with its serene character and claim to be a technological trendsetter, the new generation S-Class also sets standards where onboard infotainment is concerned. As
a world first, Mercedes-Benz will equip its flagship model with the new SPLITVIEW technology for the COMAND control and display system centrally located in the centre console. This innovative display concept allows the driver and front passenger to view different content simultaneously on one and the same screen. While the driver e.g. uses the map-based navigation system, the front passenger can be watching the latest film on DVD.

Mercedes-Benz has also extended the standard control and display system COMAND with additional functions, for example an SD memory card slot. Other new features include a Bluetooth® interface, which wirelessly connects a mobile phone to the standard onboard hands-free system, and a USB interface. These enable customers to export saved data and import them into any other S-Class. It is also possible to transfer navigation data to another vehicle.

Musical entertainment is provided by a radio, a CD/DVD player with MP3 function, an equalizer with speed-dependent volume control and the MUSIC REGISTER with a 7.2 GB hard disc which stores around 2500 digital music files in the MP3, AAC or WMA format.

The new locally assembled Mercedes-Benz S 350 L & S 500 L BlueEFFICIENCY are priced at RM840,888.00 & RM1,056,888.00 respectively.