looks almost like a glass roof

 

Yeah, I think it's likely a panaroma roof similar to what the current E class has. Nice option

 

Their are a couple driving around the Torrance/Redondo Beach area. My girlfriend spotted somethng odd on the road, I took a look and realized it was the new S-Class. I was waiting at a light when it passed by, I ended up going straight and making a right and saw another one. Deicded to follow it a little bit but I think i freaked out the driver she hit the brakes after a couple of turns and told me to go around but I didnt i took pics with my cell phone lol. Anyways. It looks pretty good in person can't wait to see some official pics.

 

ummm.... at a closer look at the bigger pic, i am not sure about the front and rear fenders... it's like they add them on or something. doesn't flow smooth with the car at all?

 

Here are some clearer pics of the interior for those who cant wait. We will have official pics on monday.









I'm really upset that the interior looks like an updated 7-series interior. They could have done sooo much better with this interior.

 

No its not ugly at all but the wheel arches are ridiculous, it loses some class to me. The interior is horrible, what in the hell were they thinking? It looks just like the 7 series, which is not user friendly at all.

Sigh, the LS 460 can't come soon enough...

 

Probably only a few months later

 

Text & photos courtesy DaimlerChrysler AG
edited 06-16-2005

First Accident Avoidance System Reduces Rear Collisions by 75 Percent


When the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class goes on sale in Europe this fall, the flagship sedan will be the first to feature a new version of PRE-SAFE, a revolutionary new safety system that can reduce rear collisions by 75 percent. The next evolution of Mercedes-Benz accident avoidance, PRE-SAFE uses two complementary radar frequencies to detect vehicles up ahead, warn of a likely impact and prime the braking system for faster response when the driver brakes the car.



In addition, the front seat belts are tightened during the valuable time just before a possible impact, and seats move to positions that provide better protection -- two measures that have been part of the current S-Class PRE-SAFE system since its debut in 2002. The latest version also closes the side windows to provide better support for the curtain air bags, and can inflate special seat cushions that provide greater lateral support for occupants and help the side air bags provide even greater protection.

Testing Shows New PRE-SAFE Reduces Rear Collisions by 75 Percent

The new PRE-SAFE uses an enhanced version of the Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist system that can not only supply full-power braking assist in emergencies as soon as the driver applies the brake pedal, but also continuously measures the distance to the vehicle ahead and adjusts brake pressure if the driver doesn't brake hard enough. In extensive tests conducted by Mercedes researchers using 300 drivers, PRE-SAFE reduced rear collisions in heavy city traffic by 75 percent.

Two Radar Beams Stay on the Alert

The newest PRE-SAFE system uses two very different radar beams to scan traffic in front of the car. Newly developed short-range radar with a frequency of 24 gigahertz sweeps the first 33 yards in a fan-shaped 80-degree pattern, working in tandem with a narrower nine-degree beam of longer-range 77-gigahertz radar (already used for the car's optional Distronic cruise control feature). The two radar frequencies complement each other to provide a full range of more than 160 yards - more than one and a half football fields. The system can identify when the car is gaining too quickly on vehicles ahead to intervene with the Distronic system, and it decides whether to sound a warning, ready Brake Assist and trigger other PRE-SAFE measures.

source : Germancarfans

 

.

Aite, I want to get my facts straight. What exactly did they add to the new system that makes it superior to the old system(I guess we can call it the1st gen Pre-Safe)?? ANd what does this system have over the new Pre Collision system in the GS?? When the new Pre Collision system came out on the GS, wasnt it superior to the Pre Safe in the MB?? Now it seems as if the 2ndgen Pre Safe contains exactly what the Pre Collision has.

 

Wow...cannot believe that i spotted one today going South bound on 15, while i was going 15N at around 4:30 pm.....i slowed my 2GS down just to take a look at it on the other side of the highway. Could not see alot since the front and the back was covered with black material that we see in the pictures here.

 

I can appreciate the want to try to prevent accidents but at what point does the driver need to know how to drive? We are slowly just making people depend on cars.

 

man wtf is that interior... the steering wheel is just horrible, and look at that clock...... they think they need to outdo infiniti?

 

Oh..................my....................gosh. That interior is hideous . I am so thankful of our S500 now (father-in-law now).
So they did use that **** drive and now this square seiko watch
Talk about overkill on the wood steering while losing the chrome emblem.
Does anyone know about the interior's designer?

How are the members able to get pictures of this car already?

 

I got a whole separate thread on this, Mike...and this car's excesses.

 

This, IMO, was the last good-looking S-Class. I have not thought much of the design ever since.

http://www.intorg.com/99S420/98S420.htm