Skip to main content

Mercedes-Benz’s S600 adds much-needed V12 dynamism to the iconic luxury landship

For luxury-car buyers, everything is never enough.

Mercedes-Benz luxury flagship gets even more luxurious with the addition of the S600 model to the lineup.

Unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, the S600 features all of the luxurious and technology of the 2014 S550, but with a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 under the hood.

That engine produces and 523 horsepower 612 pound-feet of torque. That’s an increase over the previous S600’s 510 hp, (torque remains the same) and appropriate step up from the 4.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 S550’s 449 hp and 516 lb-ft.

Coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission, the S600 will do 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. Not bad for a yacht that weighs 4,817 pounds in mandatory long-wheelbase form.

The S600 isn’t all about performance, though. The big V12 gets a start-stop system, which Mercedes says will increase fuel economy by 21 percent over the previous model. If that’s true, it’s a huge achievement.

That 2013 S600, by the way, was rated at 12 mpg city, 19 mph highway, and 14 mpg combined by the EPA. Fuel-consumption figures for the new model will be revealed closer to its launch.

Aside from the bigger engine, the S600 is just like other S-Class models. That means it benefits from clever technology like “Magic Body Control”, an adaptive suspension system that scans the road ahead for bumps and girds itself accordingly.

Mercedes will also replace last year’s Collision Prevention Assist package with Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which can now autonomously brake the S-Class to mitigate collisions at speeds up to 125 mph.

Beginning in March, Mercedes will also offer a touchpad infotainment controller, head-up display, and electric windshield heating on S-Class models. What will they think of next?

Pricing for the 2015 S600 will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date, but expect it to top the Mercedes lineup. At least until the new S65 AMG arrives, that is.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
These new NASA EVs will drive astronauts part way to the moon (sort of)
NASA's new crew transportation electric vehicles.

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week. The zero-emission vehicles, which will carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions, were delivered by Canoo Technologies of Torrance, California. NASA/Isaac Watson

NASA has shown off a trio of new all-electric vehicles that will shuttle the next generation of lunar astronauts to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center.

Read more
5 upcoming EVs I’m excited for, from luxury SUVs to budget champions
Lotus Eletre

Almost every major automaker has released an EV by now -- or plans to soon -- and makers like Ford and Kia already have a variety to choose from. But if you haven't found one that's right for you yet, hang tight. There are dozens of announced electric car models that have yet to come out, and it's clear that the future of EVs is bright.

From longer range to lower prices, the next batch of EVs gives us plenty to get excited about. Here are five upcoming EVs that we can't wait to drive.
Volvo EX30

Read more
Tesla shows off first Cybertruck after two years of delays
The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility.

The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility. Tesla

Tesla has shown off the first Cybertruck to roll off the production line at its new Gigafactory plant in Austin, Texas.

Read more