The W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is completely new for the 2014 model year, is shaping up to be a very interesting car. As dozens of examples patiently wait outside the factory, we learn a bit more about it, with only eight days left to go until its official unveiling, which has been programmed for May 15. Given that the current generation, first introduced in 2005, is still on par with many of its rivals, we expect the W222 to really impress us, once full details are revealed.
For instance, the Mercedes flagship’s interior gets what’s called a “Warmth Comfort” package, which, coupled with the sophisticated climate control system with active perfuming and filtering of the air, will make the lowest of temperatures irrelevant.
It bestows the car with heated armrests, on both of the front doors, as well as the wide centrally-mounted one – a world first. You’d expect it to also get a heated steering wheel, which it does, but you will also get seat heating Plus thrown in, which is “particularly fast-responding.”
Engines-wise, German news daily Bild reported that most of the units will be carried over from the outgoing car, while the S250 CDI variant, the only four-pot version you can buy, will be dropped due to low demand.
The newspaper said that the two engines it will be available with at first, will be the familiar S350 CDI 3.0-liter diesel with 258 PS / 255hp, and the 5.5-liter V8, with 435 PS / 429 hp. Expect to see the same S63 and S65 AMG versions as before, with power outputs of 571 PS / 563 hp and 630 PS / 621 hp respectively.
Lastly, it is reported to be priced from just under €80,000 in Germany, which equates to $105,000 and £67,400 at current exchange rates. The soon to be replaced W221 starts from just under €72,000 in its home land, so the new model will be a tad more expensive.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
![0002-Mercedes-S-Class[3]](https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/75524814-0002-mercedes-s-class25255b325255d25255b825255d.jpg "0002-Mercedes-S-Class[3]")
