DustinV

The "S400" nomenclature would probably be to close to the European S450 CDI, which sports a V8 diesel engine under the bonnet.

rld14

There was an S350 6-Cyl in the last gen S Class, I've seen a few but they are all 06s.

Nextourer

Given how the M-Class Bluetec sounds, I don't think people will mind. I suppose the S-Class would have even more underhood sound insulation so the slight chatter in the M-Class might not even be heard above the ambient traffic noise. All that torque could mean a smooth power delivery if the transmission is tuned right.

rdgdawg

+1

Gojirra99

Actually, they offered the S350 for the final model year(2006 I think) of the W220 S-class in the U.S.

gengar

I didn't know we had one as recently as 2006. I know that many S-Class and S-Class predecessor models had 6-cyl engines - the W126, which I consider the last good Benz, offered 6-cyl engines even in the US. I just figured that Benz has been making a move to eliminate the smallest engine in the US for brand maintenance purposes, and that they also don't have the same pressure in the US to limit emissions like they do in the UK and Europe.

Wasp

Not going to happen. There will be a S-class gasser V8 coming to America.

The S550 is the benchmark of the class and Audi as well as BMW have redesigned gas flagships and if MB is going to compete with the big boys, a hybrid is not going to cut it.

Just look at how Lexus is laughed at when the LS600 is compared to the S-class V12 or BMW V12.....A hybrid only S class is just not going to happen.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

yep, mb went out with a bang on their last model generation and gave the US a v6

CDNROCKIES

While the M-Bluetecs are decently quiet for a diesel SUV (much quieter than the X5), they would likely be dreadfully loud for someone shopping an S-class. They would have to find a way to insulate it completely so that it can compete with the quietness of the LS (or to a lesser extent the 7).

LexFather

As Andrew stated I think it was just the last year, not sure. The 740 is back too today but it is a 7 series with the Turbo I-6.

I read in CAR/EVO recently that the next gen S-class loses the fender flares and will drop the TT V-12 and every engine option will offer a hybrid variant.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Please Benz, lose those fugly, obnoxious fender flares!

IMO, the W140 is one of the best looking sedans, ever. It defined "road presence". The W220 didn't have as much road presence, but it was still very elegant and classy, but the current S class is just tacky.

DustinV

The S350 CDI is very common here and they're much quieter on the outside than the ML diesels. In fact you'd think it's a gasoline-powered model. No diesel clatter whatsoever. Apparently they're sound insulated enough already. It can only get better.

Nextourer

True but like I said, won't the S-Class be better insulated? I mean I remember standing next to an LX470 and it took me a while to realise the engine was running! I figured an S-Class diesel would be similar at idle.