The Mercedes-Benz W220 is a range of flagship sedans marketed and manufactured by Mercedes Benz as the fourth generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class for model years 1998-2005. Replaced the W140 S-Class after model year 1998 The W220 offered long and short wheelbase versions, performance and luxury options; available four-wheel drive; and a range of diesel as well as gas/petrol V6, V8, and V12 engines. Compared to its predecessor, the W220 featured somewhat smaller exterior dimensions combined with greater interior volume, particularly in the long-wheelbase versions, and slightly less cargo volume.
Development began in 1992,[4] with the final design, under the direction of Steve Mattin, approved in June 1995 and frozen in March 1996.[5] The completed prototypes were presented in June 1998.
W220 pre-production (prototype) began in April 1997, with regular/standard production following in September 1998 (for the 1999 model year), and C215 coupé production in 1999. Production of the 220-series totalled 484,683 units, slightly more than the production totals from the W140.[6]
Production ended in late 2005, when the W220 was replaced by the W221 S-Class and the C215 was replaced in 2006 by the C216 CL-Class.
Styling
Steve Mattin's design was the first sketch drawn in October 1992 and developed into 1:1 scale by late 1994. In June 1995, the Daimler-Benz AG board of management approved Mattin's final design at 38 months before production. By March 1996, W220 program engineers completed the design freeze, 29 months before production start in August 1998. The W220 exterior design (especially headlights) was previewed by the Mercedes-Benz F200 concept in late 1996. Being a Mercedes flagship vehicle worldwide, the S-Class largely popularized the theme.
A facelifted version of the S-Class was designed in late 2000 and introduced in September 2002, offering a more refined front-end with a larger, more upright grille, transparent headlamp housings with sealed-beam projectors, and revised taillights. Much of the rest of the exterior remained largely unchanged from first phase W220 models.
Inside, the update addressed several of the issues in the COMAND system and other interior features. Exterior updates included a more upright grille angle, new transparent housing for the headlamps (replacing the earlier translucent versions), and restyled lower air intakes on the front bumper.
The S 600 series has a "V12" badge affixed to either side of the car, just forward of the front doors and back from the wheel wells.
Models
European Sales (for all versions of S-Class):[20]
North American models
Approximate selection of US models. In the US, model years for the W220 were 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (only some versions). Not all versions were available in all model years.
Some models had options for Sport package, Designo, and/or 4Matic.
The W220 S-Class was introduced to the US, its second largest market for the S-Class, in 1999 for model year 2000, replacing the W140.[23] In 1999, Mercedes-Benz sold 189,437 and hoped to exceed that the next year.[24]
Early reviews noted the cost options. One automotive magazine spent several thousands on options for their review of the 2001 S-Class, increasing from the bas price from the mid US$70,000s to the $90,000s after delivery and taxes.
Specific versions
One of the most popular versions was the long-wheelbase S 500, with over 108,000 produced over the model run. On top of that, an additional over 13,000 all-wheel drive S 500 version were made and over 21,000 short-wheel base S 500 models. This works out to about 140,000 S 500 of all versions across all model years out of 484,683 of all W220 models over its production run. The W220's peak sales year was 2000, with 88,000 sold worldwide, but both 1999 and 2001 were close with well over 80,000 sold. Two unique models that had small runs were a factory produced 160 inch wheelbase "stretch limo" called a Pullman and a special security version called S-Guard.[28]
The Pullman version was a Mercedes-Benz engineered version of the S-Class of this period (presented in 2000, going on sale in 2001), that went beyond the after market "stretch" to offer a host of advanced systems and enhanced comfort. One of those systems was the AMG Advanced Mobile Media System to support the concept of a mobile office from within the vehicle. Components of this system including 10.4 inch LCD monitors displaying data from a computer with mobile web access. The system could also support video display, both from a DVD player or tuner to pick up broadcast; with two screens, it could display both at the same time. An additional re-chargeable battery allowed the system to powered independently for a half-hour with the engine off.[29] The AMG developed media system could connect to the World Wide Web using HSCSD or GPRS at up to 43 kilobits per second.[30]
Suspension
The W220 was available either with air suspension which is a semi-active/adaptive suspension, or hydropneumatic suspension which is an active suspension, rather than the more common mechanical "springs and shocks" on most passenger vehicles. The car had an electronic stability control program and automatic slip control.[33]
Airmatic
Airmatic, or AIRMATIC stands for Adaptive Intelligent Ride Control and was not just an air suspension, but also electronic and software control system that actively adjust the level of dampening. This allows, for example, the car to automatically lower itself down at high speeds and keep the car balanced despite loads inside the car. The car can also be manually controlled to raise the car up if going for example over rough roads. The standard W220s have Airmatic. The Airmatic main components are an air-pump, airlines going to each wheel, and four air-struts. The air pump is located in the front diver side behind a splash guard near the wheel. Mercedes-Benz has also improved and changed the Airmatic pump over the course of time. The AIRMATIC struts are controlled by the N51 Air Suspension Control Unit (N51) and there is also a level sensor that tells the level.[41]
Features
As with each new S-Class, the W220 was technologically advanced at the time of its launch, bringing in new innovations[45] such as Airmatic air suspension, Active Ventilated Seats (which used miniature fans in the seats to move air through perforations), keyless entry and ignition, Distronic: the first worldwide radar-assisted Autonomous cruise control system, and a cylinder deactivation system called Active Cylinder Control for the S 500 and S 600 models, which improves fuel consumption and reduces emissions. All were pioneering innovations at the time of the W220's conception. There are standard features to all models, standard features to certain models, and finally optional features. Sometimes what is standard changes on a model year or country of sale.
4Matic all wheel drive was introduced to the North American S-Class for 2003, for the S 430 and S 500 as a US$2180 option. This full-time system splits engine power 40/60 front/rear, with electronic traction control adjusting that mix to the wheels (or wheel) with the best traction in slippery conditions. [46]
It was the first Mercedes with curtain airbags (previewed by the F200 concept in 1996).
Engines
The W220 was available with more engine options than the W126 or W140. The range started with a smaller 2.8L 201 hp V6 motor. Very popular was the 3.2L 224 hp V6, which was superseded by an enlarged 3.7L 245 hp V6 in the S 350. Despite their popularity, the 6-cylinder S-Class cars were not imported into countries such as the United States until model year 2006 with the S 350 (short wheelbase), where Daimler was then testing the market demand for a V6 S-Class.[57][58]
The S 430, the only United States market S-Class available with both a short wheelbase ('03-'06) as well as a long wheelbase, was that region's most popular model and powered by a 4.3L 279 hp V8 that avoided the federal government's Gas Guzzler Tax of $1000. The S 500 was powered by a 5.0L 302 hp V8.[46][59]
The S 55 AMG (2001–2002) was outfitted with a 5.4L 354 hp V8 motor while the later versions (2003–2006) sported the same motor, but supercharged to a rated 493 hp. The S 600 (2001–02) was outfitted with a 5.8L 362 hp V12 engine while the later versions (2003–06) sported a twin-turbocharged (or Bi-Turbo) 493 hp 5.5L V12.
Transmission
All model years used a 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic transmission until the 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic came out. In the U.S. market, the 7 speed was the standard transmission on RWD S 430 and S 500 models from 2004, and 4MATIC models kept the 5-speed. V12 models continued using the 5-speed as the 7-speed could not handle the amount of torque from the V12.[61] The transmission had W and S modes that could be selected.[62][61]
Certificates and reports
In 2005, the S-Class was the first vehicle to receive a TÜV Institute environmental certificate from the German Commission on Technical Compliance for environmentally friendly components.[63] The improved environmental efficiency of the W220 manufacture process was judged approvingly.
Edmunds gave the S-Class a 5 out of 5 reliability rating[64] and MSN Autos assign an expert rating of 9.0 out of 10.[65] By March 2011, Consumer Reports had changed its reliability ratings for the 2001 and 2002 S-Class as having improved to "average". Build quality was generally considered to be good. For instance, Forbes described the W220 S 500 as "built remarkably well."[66] Early W220s were recalled for issues with the trunk spring and the hydraulic fuel line; there were no recalls for the 2005 or 2006 model years.
Recalls
In 2006, nearly 24,000 (95%) S-Class sold in China between late 1998 and early 2005 were recalled due to a fuel tank defect.[67] The recall was limited to the S-Class cars sold in China; S-Class models sold elsewhere were unaffected.
In 2006, a recall was initiated due to illumination failures in the instrument cluster of some W220s.[68]
Examples of recalls in Australia include:[69]
Some other issues were noted with sensors or other components being potentially being damaged by water and/or heat. The model is also called the V220 (as opposed to W220).[69]
- 2000, a recall for the heater blower overheating issue
- 2004, for the V12 with ABC hydraulic line
Maintenance/design features
One Canadian car site noted that older W220's can offer impressive features for the cost, provided that owners continue to maintain the vehicle. They noted a few key issues on later models including the air suspension and interior electronics. They also noted that over its production run Mercedes-Benz fixed many issues and there is also considerable variation in models depending how they were equipped.[47]
Reed valve inside air/water duct: the Ventilation drain
One critical maintenance issue is the main ventilation drain (these are below the vents at the back of the hood/bonnet and below the windshield). If this drain becomes clogged such as from leaves or snow it can overflow, flooding the passenger compartment.[70] When it overflows it can short out wiring in the car.[70] There is an air and water vent on the right (passenger side) near the base of the windshield, under the hood, which among other features as a drain with a reed valve to allow water to drain out.[71]
Performance
The top speed of most models was limited to no more than 156 mph if it could be achieved, some models such as the CDI were slower.[75]
An aftermarket version like the 2001 model year Brabus S V12 boosted the output of V-12 to 450 hp at 5700 rpm and could do 0-60 mph in about 5.4 seconds.[76]
Aftermarket and tuner
The naturally aspirated V-8 was boosted by up to 30 hp, but the turbo and super-charged version was boosted 100-120 hp by reputable tuning companies.[78] An additional 200 hp could be achieved with extensive modifications going as far as improved heat management and modifications to the intercooler for the M275 V-12 twin-turbo. Potential points of modification include intake, exhaust, fuel systems, transmissions, and the ECU.[78]
An example of an aftermarket version of the S-Class, was the 2001 Brabus S V12. This increased the displacement of the engine to 6.7 liters and the horsepower to 450. The changes also included interior luxury options like the BRABUS PC, enhanced leather trim options, and a 12-inch TFT (flat screen) display. The Brabus had a top speed of almost 190 mph and various other changes, including different tires and rims (on the front 50.8 x 24.1 cm / 20.0 x 9.5 with 245/35ZR-20, and on the rear 50.8 x 24.1 cm / 20.0 x 9.5 also with 245/35ZR-20).[76]
examples
- Kleemann S 60
- Kleemann also produced a
Related vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C215) Shorter coupe version of W220 shared many components and features from the sedan, albeit a completely unique aluminium and composite body construction riding on an 8-inch shorter wheelbase, with ABC suspension as standard equipment. V8 and V12 engines with their respective model nomenclature were carried over to the a 2-door coupe, no diesel or V6 options were available.
- Chrysler LX platform (reused some W220 suspension components from 2005) (note: Chrysler was part of Daimler during much of this period (1998–2007), and there were many cross brand standardizations)
- 2004 Kleemann S60[81]
- Misc. tuner versions from Brabus, Wald, etc.[82]
See also
- Comand APS (Cockpit Management and Data system)
- Daimler-Chrysler
- List of Mercedes-Benz vehicles
- W220 S-Class Encyclopedia (A detailed encyclopedia on the vehicle systems, and repair guides)
External links
- S500 Gallery - FamilyCar.com
References
- S 500 / W 220 E 50,1 998 - 2002 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com, retrieved 10 December 2023^
- Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz In Indonesia Car-cat.com, retrieved 2010-09-27^
- USD395847S - Automobile body - Google Patents retrieved 2018-09-23