S-Class Autoblog.nl Uncovers The First Details Of A New S-Class 280 Variant

[Alx]

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a marvelous weekend (or for those of you in the Midwest, I hope you had a marvelous time shoveling and building snowmen).

To kick things off this morning, our good friends over at Autoblog.nl tipped us off to confirmation of a new S-Class variant that up until now hasn't been announced - a variant that likely won't be taking a trip to the U.S. anytime soon. The variant is the S280, and if our assumption that the luxury sedan will share the same powerplant as the one found on the E280, the new S will feature a 231 hp 3.0 liter V6 outputting 300 Nm of torque (at 2,500-5,000 rpm). As for how that compares to the single petrol V6-powered S-Class currently available in the S lineup, the S350 - the 3.5 liter model boasts a power output of 272 horsepower and torque of 350 Nm (at 2,400-5,000 rpm), an increase of roughly 40 horsepower and 50 Nm of torque.

While there's still been no official confirmation from Mercedes detailing the S280, we shouldn't have much longer to wait until the model's officially unveiled.

In the meantime, you can head over to Autoblog.nl for some additional pics.

Enjoy.

 

[Michael]

Very very interesting. Why does MB offer these variants?

 

[cawimmer430]

Very very interesting. Why does MB offer these variants?

Mercedes has traditionally offered a low-end S-Class for certain markets where engine capacity taxes are a big consideration for buyers (and where excess power is not really needed).

I'll start with the W116 S-Class (1972-1980) which had the carburated 280S as its entry-level model. This car was designed for the Middle East, Africa and certain Asian markets where the local engineering couldn't yet cope with fuel-injected motors.

On the W126 S-Class (1979-1993), the 280S was again the entry-level model. Same reasons as above.

The W140 had a S280 option. On the W220, the S280 was only offered in RHD. Sorry to make this short but my mom is calling me to dinner!

Continuing this tradition is the W221 S-Class.

 

[MikeJ]

Very very interesting. Why does MB offer these variants?

I do believe the smaller-engined versions make up for the bulk of S-class sales in most countries. Same goes for the 7-series (730i/730d) and A8 (3.2 FSI/3.0 TDI). In quite a few countries you pay an annual tax on your car, often based on engine size or emissions.

 

[Centurion]

What a suprise. I thought 350 was the lowest number we would see on the rear of the new S. Although a 2.8L in an S-class turns me off I think it is a good idea. There is probably a large market for a low powered S-class. There are many people who just want to ride comfortably and slow.

 

[PanterroR]

There is probably a large market for a low powered S-class. There are many people who just want to ride comfortably and slow.

Making it possible even for those that don't have a "fat wallet", but still want to have a 3 pointed star on the nose of their car... It'll sell, for sure...

 

[Centurion]

Making it possible even for those that don't have a "fat wallet", but still want to have a 3 pointed star on the nose of their car... It'll sell, for sure...

The ones who will buy an S280 will probably degadge it to make people think they have a S600 but don't want to brag about it. That's atleast what i would have done.

 

[PanterroR]

The ones who will buy an S280 will probably degadge it to make people think they have a S600 but don't want to brag about it. That's atleast what i would have done.

And you're kiddin', right? Hence the smiley, otherwise w... t ... f ....?

 

[Centurion]

And you're kiddin', right? Hence the smiley, otherwise w... t ... f ....?

I'm not kidding Sasha. If you drive an S280 you will probably be laughed at, gotta ride in style?

 

[LaArtist]

lol i would de badge it to..but this 280 doesent make it to europe often..
and never to the US..
so i dont think we will see many
its mainy for the other parts of the world

 

[cawimmer430]

Like I said, the '280 S-Classes have mainly been designed for Asia or Africa, in some cases the Middle East. Here, power matters less so the S280 will be just fine.

And looking at the specs of the current W221 S280, it is by no means slow or underpowered. How many S550 or S600 owners do you know who floor their car at every opportunity? Exactly. Not many.

 

[Merc1]

I thought there was already a W221 "S300" in Asia that used this same 3L V6?

M

 

[PanterroR]

I'm not kidding Sasha. If you drive an S280 you will probably be laughed at, gotta ride in style?

Why would anyone laugh at you? Maybe the AMG owners, but i don't see any reason why would someone with for example S350 laugh at you...

 

[cawimmer430]

I thought there was already a W221 "S300" in Asia that used this same 3L V6?

M

Nope, Asia until now got the S350.

 

[Mr. M]

Nope, Asia until now got the S350.

Nope you're wrong Chris, they do sell S300 W221s here... Which makes this S280 really suspect.

 

[ree]

You're right. I've just checked the Singapore mercedes site! The S 300 has the same engine like the S 280!! It is only another name!

Here are the technical data:
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/emb/e...y=singapore&module=specstechnical&ClassNum=33

 

[Mr. M]

You're right. I've just checked the Singapore mercedes site! The S 300 has the same engine like the S 280!! It is only another name!

Here are the technical data:
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/emb/e...y=singapore&module=specstechnical&ClassNum=33

Interesting, so we're already driving these cars and Autoblog calls this a new unveiling.

 

[cawimmer430]

Nope you're wrong Chris, they do sell S300 W221s here... Which makes this S280 really suspect.

Really?

Is this in Singapore? My closest source, www.motioncars.com of the Philippines only shows the S350 and S550 as being sold in Asia.

I've heard that the US will be getting the European W204 C280's as C300's. This might be far fetched, but I could it be that the S280 was sold in Asia as the S300? I'm totally confused now. No MB website I check mentions an S300.

Thank God for REE!

 

[Mr. M]

Really?

Is this in Singapore? My closest source, www.motioncars.com of the Philippines only shows the S350 and S550 as being sold in Asia.

I've heard that the US will be getting the European W204 C280's as C300's. This might be far fetched, but I could it be that the S280 was sold in Asia as the S300? I'm totally confused now. No MB website I check mentions an S300.

Thank God for REE!

As Ree has said, the Singapore Mercedes website lists an S300L:

http://www.mercedes-benz.com.sg/con...products/new_cars/s_class/technical_data.html
Click on technical data.

S300 Details:

Engine and drivetrain

Engine 6 Cylinders
Valvetrain 4
Displacement (litres) 2.996
Bore/Stroke (mm) 88/82.1
Compression ratio 11.1:1
Net Power (hp/rpm) 231/6000
Max Torque (Nm/rpm) 300/2500-5000

Performance
0-100 km/h 8.2 seconds

To further confirm it, I've seen more S300s running about than I do S350s.

The S300s are probably rebadged S280s that are yet be launched? That's what I think...

 

[cawimmer430]

The S300s are probably rebadged S280s that are yet be launched? That's what I think...

Looking at those engine spec's, IT IS a rebadged '280. That same engine is found in the C, SLK and E280's.

I guess they decided to change the name form S300 to S280. S300 sounded better though...