MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS
Bigger, faster, and more luxurious, the new S-class plays it safe with evolutionary styling and a host of collision anticipation and avoidance systems. A spinning joystick--similar to BMW's reviled iDrive but slightly less confusing--operates the stereo, climate control, and navigation systems using a large screen to the right of the gauge cluster. Metal-look buttons, liberal wood and chrome, and indirect lighting give the cabin a modern and airy feel, and interior dimensions rise one to two inches in all directions. A panorama roof and a rear-seat entertainment system are optional. The available Brake Assist Plus system monitors closing speed and distance to cars ahead and increases brake force to avoid a collision, and the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control now can bring the car to a halt if traffic ahead stops. Braking is handled by a conventional hydraulic system; the troublesome brake-by-wire system on other Mercedes model ranges will die when those cars are replaced. The S500 bows in January with a 5.5-liter V-8 making 388 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, a seven-speed manu-matic, and rear- or, a few months later, all-wheel drive. The S600 arrives this spring with a biturbo V-12 sending 517 hp and 612 lb-ft through a five-speed transmission to the rear wheels. Later in 2006, watch for a base model with a smaller V-8 as well as an AMG version with more than 500 hp from its normally aspirated, 6.3-liter V-8. There's no word yet on a successor to the outrageous 604-hp S65 AMG.
MINI CONCEPT FRANKFURT COUNTRYMAN
Despite rumors that Mini's concept car at Frankfurt would be an SUV, a four-door sedan, or a roadster, it ended up being less removed from the traditional tiny two-door Mini that so many have fallen in love with. The concept, called Mini Concept Frankfurt--a name that Homer Simpson might have come up with--is still a two-door box, taking its inspiration from the Mini Countryman of the 1960s. The difference between this one and a regular Mini is that it has a longer wheelbase and a station wagon rear end. Most of the extra space goes into the rear cargo compartment, which German BMW executives showed off with an obedient twenty-five-pound pooch. Access to the back end is through vertically split rear doors, which are notable for the fact that they open independent of the taillights (see photos). Rear-seat passengers who like the wind buffeting in their faces would enjoy the sliding rear side windows.
The pearlescent show car also has a different front end with slanty Aston Martin-like headlamps. The interior is very flashy, very chrome-laden, and highly unlikely to reach production. However, we're betting that the overall layout of this car will reach production in the very near future. ...next page >>