The Mercedes-Benz W221 is a chassis code of the fifth generation S-Class , produced from August 2005 until June 2013. The W221 S-Class was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show as the successor of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) and the predecessor of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) .
122-565: The W221 S-Class' exterior styling is distinctly different from the W220. The W220 somewhat broke with tradition in being smaller than its W140 predecessor, whereas the W221 is larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, offers more interior space, and has improved performance. The rear styling is similar to the Mercedes-Benz Maybach – the larger saloon from Daimler AG's other flagship brand, which
244-429: A clutchless manual , is a type of multi-speed automobile transmission system that is closely based on the mechanical design of a conventional manual transmission , and automates either the clutch system, the gear shifting, or both simultaneously, requiring partial, or no driver input or involvement. Earlier versions of these transmissions that are semi-automatic in operation, such as Autostick , control only
366-419: A planetary (epicyclic) gearset , hydraulic controls , and a torque converter . Other types of automatic transmissions include continuously variable transmissions (CVT), automated manual transmissions (AMT), and dual-clutch transmissions (DCT). The 1904 Sturtevant "horseless carriage gearbox" is often considered to be the first true automatic transmission. The first mass-produced automatic transmission
488-588: A 4.0-litre engine. Some models carry further designations indicating special features: Model designation badges can be removed at the request of the customer. Rationalisation of the model nomenclature was announced in November 2014 for future models. The changes consolidate many confusing nomenclature and their placements in the model range, for example—the CL-Class is now called the S-Class Coupé. The naming structure
610-721: A battery-electric car called Denza in China. However, after reducing its stake in 2021, the Stuttgart-based company has now exited Denza completely: the Mercedes-Benz Group is no longer involved in the Chinese car brand Denza, as it sold its last ten per cent stake in Denza in July 2024. In 2016, Daimler announced plans to sell Mercedes-Benz-badged fully electric battery cars in China. Beijing Benz
732-579: A black Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S 600) Pullman Guard, which is stretched to limousine form and the limousine has a longer wheelbase . The S 63 AMG is powered by the Mercedes-Benz M156 V8 engine rated at 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) and 630 N⋅m (465 lbf⋅ft) of torque. It can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The S 63 AMG has an aluminum and steel body with 19" light-alloy multispoke wheels in
854-590: A black field behind them, to control the HVAC system (these functions are all also accessible via the COMAND system, which also offers access to some additional HVAC functions, such as foot-well temperature settings and air flow control). Below the HVAC button section is a panel that opens to give access to the DVD changer which also includes a CompactFlash card reader. On the center console,
976-508: A constant angular velocity while the vehicle moves at varying speeds. CVTs are used in cars , tractors , UTVs , motor scooters , snowmobiles , and earthmoving equipment . The most common type of CVT uses two pulleys connected by a belt or chain , however, several other designs have also been used. A dual-clutch transmission (DCT, sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission , or double-clutch transmission ) uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets . The design
1098-469: A diesel engine are no longer given a separate letter. The SLR and SLS supercars do not carry a numerical designation. Today, many numerical designations no longer reflect the engine's actual displacement, but more of the relative performance and marketing position. Despite its engine displacement in two litres, the powerplant in the A45 AMG produces 355 brake horsepower so the designation is higher as to indicate
1220-582: A downturn in reputation in these criteria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By mid-2005, Mercedes temporarily returned to the industry average for initial quality, a measure of problems after the first 90 days of ownership, according to J. D. Power. In J. D. Power's Initial Quality Study for the first quarter of 2007, Mercedes showed dramatic improvement by climbing from 25th to 5th place and earning several awards for its newer models. For 2008, Mercedes-Benz's initial quality rating improved by yet another mark, to 4th place. On top of this accolade, it also received
1342-479: A form of manual transmission which removed the reliance on the driver's skill to achieve smooth gear shifts. The first automatic transmission using hydraulic fluid was developed in 1932 by two Brazilian engineers, José Braz Araripe and Fernando Lehly Lemos. The evolution towards mass-produced automatic transmissions continued with the 1933–1935 REO Motor Car Company Self-Shifter semi-automatic transmission, which automatically shifted between two forward gears in
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#17328516978841464-527: A gearbox, operated manually or automatically, to drive the wheels over a wide range of speeds. Globally, 43% of new cars produced in 2015 were manual transmissions, falling to 37% by 2020. Automatic transmissions have long been prevalent in the United States, but only started to become common in Europe much later. In Europe in 1997, only 10–12% of cars had automatic transmissions. In 1957 over 80% of new cars in
1586-413: A manual transmission. The 1904 Sturtevant "horseless carriage gearbox" is often considered to be the first automatic transmission for motor vehicles. At higher engine speeds, high gear was engaged. As the vehicle slowed down and engine speed decreased, the gearbox would shift back to low. However, the transmission was prone to sudden failure, due to the transmission being unable to withstand forces from
1708-402: A metal control wheel for the COMAND system sits above a piece of wood, surrounded by metal buttons. There is no longer a central gear shift lever as in previous models, instead a stalk on the steering wheel controls the gearbox (with buttons or, optionally, paddles on the steering wheel for manual gear control). Controls mounted on the door panels provide access to the main seat controls (including
1830-400: A patent was approved in the United States describing the operation of a transmission where the manual shifting of gears and manual operation of a clutch was eliminated. This patent was submitted by Henry R. Hoffman from Chicago and was titled: Automatic Gear Shift and Speed Control . The patent described the workings of such a transmission as "...having a series of clutches disposed intermediate
1952-445: A separate transmission control unit . This allows for more precise control of shift points, shift quality, lower shift times and manual control. The first five-speed automatic was the ZF 5HP18 transmission , debuting in 1991 on various BMW models. The first six-speed automatic was the ZF 6HP26 transmission , which debuted in the 2002 BMW 7 Series (E65) . The first seven-speed automatic was
2074-445: A separate production line. As part of the W221 launch campaign, Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH introduced a series of 17 products under S-Class Collection, beginning in 2005–09. Products include a wrist watch designed with Sindelfingen-based Design Centre, piqué polo shirt, cufflinks, pen, umbrella, key fob, mouse pads, pen cases, cigar set, note pad, wallet, and 1/43 S-Class scale model car. Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH also introduced
2196-656: A series of 1,200 units of S-Class vehicle freight train. In the 2007 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, the W221 tied for first ranking in its category (with the Audi A8 ) for having the fewest quality problems in the industry after 90 days of ownership. The W221 was given the Bild am Sonntag 2006 Golden Steering Wheel Award in the Luxury category, Drive Car of the Year Awards Best Luxury Car over A$ 60,000, and top luxury auto in
2318-404: A stalk to adjust the steering wheel and control the optional heated steering wheel. Controls for the interior lighting and the sun roof or panoramic sun roof are mounted on the roof, near the interior rear-view mirror. This section also includes a compartment for sun glasses. The W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions than the W220, with a longer wheelbase and more interior room. The S-Class
2440-689: A video to social media apparently posing beside blindfolded and handcuffed administrative detainees . The bus appears to have the Mercedes-Benz logo on the headrest of its seats. As of the Daimler AG company split, the Mercedes-Benz Cars division now handled the Mercedes-Benz- and the Smart -branded cars' production. Mercedes-AMG became a majority-owned division of Mercedes-Benz in 1999. The company
2562-522: Is "The Best or Nothing". Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz 's first internal combustion engine in a car, seen in the Benz Patent Motorwagen – financed by Bertha Benz 's dowry and patented in January 1886 – and Gottlieb Daimler and their engineer Wilhelm Maybach 's conversion of a stagecoach, with the addition of a petrol engine, introduced later that year. The Mercedes automobile
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#17328516978842684-502: Is a mild hybrid and the first hybrid car to adopt a lithium-ion battery . The battery pack was supplied by Continental AG and the cells were provided by Johnson Controls-Saft. The S 400 BlueHybrid was unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show . US models went on sale in August 2009, but were delivered to dealers in 2009–10. Japan models went on sale in October 2009. The 3.5 liter V6 engine in
2806-669: Is a joint venture with the BAIC Group to produce the Mercedes-Benz branded cars in China. Established in 1995, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam is a joint venture between Saigon Mechanical Engineering Corporation (SAMCO) and Daimler AG . Daimler AG assembles various Mercedes-Benz models from CKD kits at its factory in Ho Chi Minh City . The factory is a joint venture with Saigon Mechanical Engineering Corporation . In 2021-2022, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam invested approximately 33 million USD to upgrade 6 technologies at this factory in preparation for
2928-577: Is attributed to the increasing number of electric and hybrid cars, and the ease of integrating it with safety systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking . The efficiency, power output as a percentage of input, of conventional automatic transmissions ranges from 86 to 94%. Manual transmissions are more fuel efficient than all but the newest automatic transmissions due to their inherently low parasitic losses, typically of about 4%, in addition to being cheaper to make, lighter, better performing, and of simpler mechanical design. However, manual transmissions have
3050-701: Is available in short-wheelbase form, except in the US, Mexico, Russia, China and Indonesia, where all models are long-wheelbase. Like for all other S-Class generations, the W221 introduced a raft of improved and new features and systems. The standard COMAND now also controlled more of these features and/or provided access to additional settings for various functions, including the HVAC system and seat controls. The W221 also contains many other safety features, including front and rear crumple zones, eight dual-stage air bags , anti-lock brakes (ABS), collapsible steering column, and traction control . Development to further refine
3172-507: Is badged as S 550 in Canada, US and Japan market. All models with the exception of the S600 and S65 AMG are equipped with the 7G-TRONIC transmission. S350, S350 4MATIC, S400 Hybrid, S450, S450 4MATIC, S500 include 7G-TRONIC Sport transmission. Models with 7G-TRONIC transmission include DIRECT SELECT, which allows 7G-TRONIC to be electronically controlled by touching the lever on the right-hand side of
3294-457: Is based in Stuttgart , Baden-Württemberg , Germany. Mercedes-Benz AG manufactures luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles , all branded under the Mercedes-Benz name. From November 2019 onwards, the production of Mercedes-Benz-branded heavy commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) has been managed by Daimler Truck , which separated from the Mercedes-Benz Group to form an independent entity at
3416-472: Is based on the Mercedes Benz S 600 L Guard, but in limousine form with an extra-long wheelbase. It includes a rear entrance with increased headroom and 4 seats behind the driver partition. Other features include reinforcement of the links between the suspension components and the bodyshell, specifically targeted modification of the suspension components themselves, an additional brace (strut tower brace) between
3538-521: Is connected to the engine via a torque converter (or a fluid coupling prior to the 1960s), instead of the friction clutch used by most manual transmissions . A hydraulic automatic transmission uses planetary gearsets instead of the manual transmission's design of gears lined up along input, output and intermediate shafts. To change gears, the hydraulic automatic uses a combination of internal clutches, friction bands or brake packs. These devices are used to lock certain gears, thus setting which gear ratio
3660-605: Is divided into four categories: core, off-road vehicle/SUV, 4-door coupé, and roadster. AMG GT and V-Class are unaffected by the change. In October 2016, Mercedes unveiled the X-Class; a pickup truck built on the Nissan Navara . At the 2016 Paris Motor Show , the company announced the EQ , a family of upcoming battery electric vehicles based on a modular platform , expected to represent up to 25% of its global sales by 2025. Note: The CLA
3782-404: Is in use at a given time. A sprag clutch (a ratchet-like device which can freewheel and transmits torque in only one direction) is often used for routine gear shifts. The advantage of a sprag clutch is that it eliminates the sensitivity of timing a simultaneous clutch release/apply on two planetary gearsets, simply "taking up" the drivetrain load when actuated, and releasing automatically when
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3904-449: Is integrated into the engine control unit (ECU). Modern designs have replaced the centrifugal governor with an electronic speed sensor that is used as an input to the TCU or ECU. Modern transmissions also factor in the amount of load on an engine at any given time, which is determined from either the throttle position or the amount of intake manifold vacuum. The multitude of parts, along with
4026-454: Is not possible to push start a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission with no rear pump (aside from several automatics built prior to 1970, which also included a rear pump for towing and push-starting purposes). The pressure of the ATF is regulated by a governor connected to the output shaft, which varies the pressure depending on the vehicle speed. The valve body inside the transmission
4148-505: Is often similar to two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing, and working as one unit. In most car and truck applications, the DCT functions as an automatic transmission, requiring no driver input to change gears. The first DCT to reach production was the Easidrive automatic transmission introduced on the 1961 Hillman Minx mid-size car. This
4270-455: Is one of the best-known and longest-standing automotive brands in the world. The pontiff's Popemobile has often been sourced from Mercedes-Benz. In November 2019, Daimler AG announced that Mercedes-Benz, until that point a company marque, would be spun off into a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary called Mercedes-Benz AG. The new subsidiary would manage the Mercedes-Benz car and van business. Mercedes-Benz-badged trucks and buses would be part of
4392-603: Is positioned between the A- and B-Class models, while the CLE sits between the C- and E-Classes. In addition to the revised nomenclature, Mercedes-Benz has new suffix nomenclature for the drive systems. CDI GLA 200 d Electric Drive B 250 e BlueTEC HYBRID E 300 h The revised A45 AMG for the 2016 model year on has shifted the model designation to the right side while AMG is on the left side. This trend commenced with Mercedes-Maybach with MAYBACH on
4514-482: Is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine which produces 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS) and 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) of torque. The S 250 accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 8.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph). Fuel consumption is 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers (41.2 mpg US), while CO 2 emissions are 149 g/km. The engine has two turbos, and turns off when stopped. The Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY won
4636-450: Is pressurized by a pump and then directed to the appropriate bands/clutches to obtain the required gear ratio. The ATF provides lubrication, corrosion prevention, and a hydraulic medium to transmit the power required to operate the transmission. Made from petroleum with various refinements and additives, ATF is one of the few parts of the automatic transmission that needs routine service as the vehicle ages. The main pump which pressurises
4758-403: Is responsible for directing hydraulic pressure to the appropriate bands and clutches. It receives pressurized fluid from the main pump and consists of several spring-loaded valves, check balls, and servo pistons. In older automatic transmissions, the valves use the pump pressure and the pressure from a centrifugal governor on the output side (as well as other inputs, such as throttle position or
4880-511: Is the General Motors Hydramatic four-speed hydraulic automatic, which was introduced in 1939. Automatic transmissions are also found in some heavy commercial vehicles, particularly those which are subject to intense stop/start operation such as buses and waste collection vehicles . Vehicles with internal combustion engines, unlike electric vehicles, require the engine to operate in a narrow range of rates of rotation, requiring
5002-465: The 190-class with the numeric designation of "190" as to denote its entry-level in the model along with the displacement label on the right side of the boot (190E 2.3 for 2.3-litre 4-cylinder petrol motor, 190D 2.5 for 2.5-litre 5-cylinder diesel motor, and so forth). Some older models (such as the SS and SSK) did not have a number as part of the designation at all. For the 1994 model year, Mercedes-Benz revised
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) - Misplaced Pages Continue
5124-496: The 2006 Paris Motor Show . Initial products include S 450 4MATIC and S 500 4MATIC, followed by S 320 CDI 4MATIC in 2006–12, then S 350 4MATIC in mid 2007. All 4MATIC models were made in short and long wheelbases. S 320 CDI 4MATIC was replaced by S 350 CDI 4MATIC. On 11 May 2009, Mercedes-Benz announced the sale of 270,000 units since the original W221 launch. S 600 Guard and S 600 Guard Pullman were built in Sindelfingen plant with
5246-539: The DB601 aero engines. To build the latter, in 1936, it built a factory hidden in the forest at Genshagen around 10 km south of Berlin . By 1942, the company had mostly stopped producing cars, and was now devoted to war production. According to its own statement, in 1944, almost half of its 63,610 employees were forced labourers, prisoners of war, or concentration-camp detainees. Another source quotes this figure at 46,000. The company later paid $ 12 million in reparations to
5368-615: The F-Cell fuel cell vehicle. The current version, based on the B-Class, has a 250-mile range and is available for lease, with volume production scheduled to begin in 2014. Mercedes has also announced the SLS AMG E-Cell , a fully electric version of the SLS sports car, with deliveries expected in 2013. The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID was launched in 2009, and is the first production automotive hybrid in
5490-615: The Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic transmission , which debuted a year later. In 2007, the first eight-speed transmission to reach production was the Toyota AA80E transmission . The first nine-speed and ten-speed transmissions were the 2013 ZF 9HP transmission and 2017 Toyota Direct Shift-10A (used in the Lexus LC ) respectively. The gear selector is the input by which the driver selects the operating mode of an automatic transmission. Traditionally
5612-607: The North American International Auto Show . Each car features a different powertrain – battery-electric, fuel-cell electric, and gasoline-electric hybrid. In the same year, Mercedes also showed the Vision S500 PHEV concept with a 19 miles (31 km) all-electric range and CO 2 emissions of 74 grams/km in the New European Driving Cycle . Since 2002, Mercedes-Benz has developed
5734-502: The Platinum Plant Quality Award for their Mercedes branded Sindelfingen, Germany body assembly plant. J. D. Power's 2011 US Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability Studies both ranked Mercedes-Benz vehicles above average in build quality and reliability. In J. D. Power's United Kingdom Survey in 2011, Mercedes cars were rated above average. Additionally, iSeeCars.com study for Reuters in 2014 found Mercedes to have
5856-475: The clutch system automatically — and use different forms of actuation (usually via an actuator or servo ) to automate the clutch, but still require the driver's input and full control to manually actuate gear changes by hand. Modern versions of these systems that are fully automatic in operation, such as Selespeed and Easytronic , require no driver input over gear changes or clutch operation. Semi-automatic versions require only partial driver input (i.e.,
5978-618: The "Forward" mode (or between two shorter gear ratios in the "Emergency low" mode). Driver involvement was still required during normal driving, since standing starts required the driver to use the clutch pedal. This was followed in 1937 by the Oldsmobile Automatic Safety Transmission . Similar in operation to the REO Self-Shifter , the Automatic Safety Transmission shifted automatically between
6100-402: The 1950s also had lower-case letters (b, c, and d) to indicate specific trim levels. For other models, the numeric part of the designation does not match the engine displacement. This was done to show the model's position in the model range independent of displacement or in the price matrix. For these vehicles, the actual displacement in litres is suffixed to the model designation. An exception was
6222-424: The 1980s, automatic transmissions with four gear ratios became increasingly common, and many were equipped with lock-up torque convertors in order to improve fuel economy. Electronics began to be more commonly used to control the transmission, replacing mechanical control methods such as spring-loaded valves in the valve body. Most systems use solenoids which are controlled by either the engine control unit , or
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#17328516978846344-406: The 1990s, systems to manually request a specific gear or an upshift/downshift have become more common. These manumatic transmissions offer the driver greater control over the gear selection that the traditional modes to restrict the transmission to the lower gears. Use of the manumatic functions are typically achieved either via paddles located beside the steering column, or "+" and "-" controls on
6466-623: The 2012 World Green Car of the Year . Mercedes unveiled the S350 BlueTEC in late 2011. The car is powered by a V6 diesel engine with 258 hp and 620 Nm (457 ft•lbs) of torque. The car also received Start&Stop functionality and the AdBlue system. Based on this engine, the car was approved for EURO 6 norm. This engine was also used in the successor to the W221, the Mercedes-Benz W222 . From 2011 onwards
6588-425: The ATF is typically a gear pump mounted between the torque converter and the planetary gear set. The input for the main pump is connected to the torque converter housing, which in turn is bolted to the engine's flexplate, so the pump provides pressure whenever the engine is running. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that there is no oil pressure to operate the transmission when the engine is not running, therefore it
6710-529: The Corvair. Most cars use a "P–R–N–D–L" layout for the gear selector, which consists of the following positions: Some automatic transmissions, especially by General Motors from 1940 to 1964, used a layout with reverse as the bottom position (e.g. N–D–L–R or P–N–D–L–R). Many transmissions also include positions to restrict the gear selection to the lower gears and engages the engine brake . These positions are often labelled "L" (low gear), "S" (second gear) or
6832-460: The Daimler Truck AG subsidiary. For information relating to the three-pointed star symbol of the brand, see under the title Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft , including the merger into Daimler-Benz. In May 2022, Mercedes-Benz announced that it has recently sold the most expensive car at the price of $ 142 million (€135 million). The car is a very rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR that has been kept in
6954-585: The German automaker's collection and bought by a private owner. Mercedes in an announcement said that the sale will be used to establish the Mercedes-Benz Fund. In June 2022, Mercedes-Benz recalled almost one million vehicles built between 2004 and 2015, due to potential problems with their braking system, caused by possible "advanced corrosion". In 2023, a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces posted
7076-610: The Hydra-Matic included a wide spread of ratios (allowing both good acceleration in first gear and cruising at low engine speed in top gear) and the fluid coupling handling only a portion of the engine's torque in the top two gears (increasing fuel economy in those gears, similar to a lock-up torque converter). Use of the Hydra-Matic spread to other General Motors brands and then to other manufacturers starting 1948 including Hudson , Lincoln , Kaiser , Nash , Holden (Australia), as well as Rolls-Royce and Bentley licensing production in
7198-786: The Mercedes-Benz Trucks division is part of the Daimler Truck company and includes other sub-companies that were part of the DaimlerChrysler merger. Gottlieb Daimler sold the world's first truck in 1886. Their first factory to be built outside Germany after World War II was in Argentina . They originally built trucks, many of which were modified by third parties to be used as buses, popularly named Colectivo . Mercedes-Benz has been producing buses since 1895 in Mannheim , Germany. Since 1995,
7320-729: The Polytechnic School in Stuttgart from 1857 to 1859. After completing various technical activities in France and England, he started working as a draftsman in Geislingen in 1862. At the end of 1863, he was appointed workshop inspector at a machine-tool factory in Reutlingen, where he met Wilhelm Maybach in 1865. Throughout the 1930s, Mercedes-Benz produced the 770 model, a car that was notably popular throughout Germany's Nazi period. Adolf Hitler
7442-482: The S 300L with no other significant differences. It is a replacement of S 320 CDI with improved fuel efficiency. Changes include: on-demand electric hydraulic power steering pump, standstill decoupling for the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission , and 17-inch light-alloy wheels with reduced rolling resistance tyres. The German model has an MSRP of €70,864.50 (incl. VAT) for the short-wheelbase version, €78,718.50 (incl. VAT) for long-wheelbase version. The S 400 BlueHybrid
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#17328516978847564-483: The S 400 Hybrid. The vehicles were delivered beginning in December 2006, with MSRP of short-wheelbase model at €84,448 (net price €72,800) and the long-wheelbase model at €92,104 (net price €79,400). The V8 diesel was updated to offer more power (320 hp (239 kW)) while reducing emissions and fuel consumption. In spite of same displacement, the model designation is S 450 CDI. The V8 diesel motors were dropped for
7686-553: The S Class W221 received optional equipment : "Sport-Paket AMG" which added sportier look, bigger brakes and new types of alloy wheel options. It was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show . The features include aluminum wheels with 275/35ZR21 tires. S 280 is only sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Asia (badged as S 300). S 350 CDI 4MATIC is badged as S 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY in Germany. S 500
7808-634: The Topauto 2006 awards. Safety awards include Popular Mechanics ' 2007 Automotive Excellence Award for Safety, 2007's What Car? Safety Award, and 2006 British Insurance Car Security Award. Design awards include Wheels Magazine 's 2006 Automotive Design Award, Automotive Circle International (ACI) "EuroCarBody Award 2005", Topauto 2006 award winner in the Innovation category for the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, and 2006 Automotive Interior of
7930-563: The UK and providing the transmission to Jensen Motors , Armstrong Siddeley and other UK manufacturers. During World War II, the Hydra-Matic was used in some military vehicles. The first automatic transmission to use a torque converter (instead of a fluid coupling) was the Buick Dynaflow , which was introduced for the 1948 model year. In normal driving, the Dynaflow used only the top gear, relying on
8052-478: The UK by Brighton-based Elektromotive , have been installed at seven locations as part of a pilot project, and further expansion of the initiative is planned later in 2010. In the United States, Mercedes-Benz was assessed a record US$ 30.66 million fine for their decision to not meet the federal corporate average fuel economy standard in 2009. Certain Mercedes-Benz cars, including the S550 and all AMG models sold in
8174-560: The United States had automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions have been standard in large cars since at least 1974. By 2020 only 2.4% of new cars had manual transmissions. Historically, automatic transmissions were less efficient, but lower fuel prices in the US made this less of a problem than in Europe. In the United Kingdom, a majority of new cars have had automatic transmissions since 2020. Several manufacturers including Mercedes and Volvo no longer sell cars with manual transmissions. The growing prevalence of automatic transmissions
8296-512: The United States, also face an additional gas guzzler tax . However, newer AMG models fitted with the M157 engine will not be subject to the gas-guzzler tax, due to improved fuel economy, and newer models powered by the M276 and M278 engines will have better fuel economy. In 2008, Mercedes also had the worst CO 2 average of all major European manufacturers, ranking 14th out of 14 manufacturers. Mercedes
8418-435: The W221 started in 2006 with these design changes being approved in early 2007. The revised 2010 S-Class was announced on April 8, 2009, at Stuttgart. The minor model update includes minor cosmetic changes and several new features: The updated models went on sale in June 2009. Early models included: S 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, S 450 CDI, S 350, S 400 HYBRID, S 450, S 500, S 600. The S 300L (only available in long wheelbase form)
8540-429: The Year Awards for Best Seat. Mercedes-Benz This is an accepted version of this page Mercedes-Benz ( German pronunciation: [mɛʁˌtseːdəs ˈbɛnts, -dɛs -] ), commonly referred to simply as Mercedes and occasionally as Benz , is a German luxury and commercial vehicle brand that was founded in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Group , established in 2019)
8662-429: The abrupt gear changes. The adoption of planetary gearsets was a significant advance towards the modern automatic transmission. One of the first transmissions to use this design was the manual transmission fitted to the 1901–1904 Wilson-Pilcher automobile. This transmission was built in the United Kingdom and used two epicyclic gears to provide four gear ratios. A foot clutch was used for standing starts, gear selection
8784-546: The assembly of AMG models. The 1996 Mercedes E230 was the first model produced by the Mercedes-Benz Vietnam assembly plant and was part of the initial batch assembled locally. Other than in its native birthplace, Germany, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are or have been partly manufactured or assembled in: Mercedes-Benz normally has a strong reputation for quality and durability. Some objective measures looking at passenger vehicles, such as J. D. Power surveys, demonstrated
8906-552: The birth of Mercedes-Benz as a brand. In 1901, the name "Mercedes" was re-registered by DMG worldwide as a protected trademark. The first Mercedes-Benz branded vehicles were produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler's companies into the Daimler-Benz company on 28 June of the same year. Gottlieb Daimler was born on 17 March 1834 in Schorndorf. After training as a gunsmith and working in France, he attended
9028-490: The brands of Mercedes-Benz's buses and coaches are under the umbrella of EvoBus GmbH, since December 2021 belonging to Daimler Truck AG. EvoBus, through its regional subsidiaries, markets them in European countries, while in other regions of the world marketing and sales duties are passed to regional subsidiaries of Daimler Truck. Mercedes-Benz produces a wide range of buses and coaches, mainly for Europe and Asia. The first model
9150-401: The complex design of the valve body, originally made hydraulic automatic transmissions much more expensive and time-consuming to build and repair than manual transmissions; however mass-production and developments over time have reduced this cost gap. To provide coupling and decoupling of the engine, a modern automatic transmission uses a torque converter instead of the friction clutch used in
9272-403: The disadvantage of requiring the driver to operate the clutch and change the gear whenever required. Fuel economy of course worsens with lower efficiency. Real-world tests reported in 2022 found that in typical driving manual transmissions achieved 2 to 5% better fuel economy than automatics, increasing to 20% with an expert driver. Some laboratory tests show automatics in a better light due to
9394-446: The driver locking out the higher gears) to control which ratio is selected. As the vehicle and engine change speed, the difference between the pressures changes, causing different sets of valves to open and close. In more recent automatic transmissions, the valves are controlled by solenoids . These solenoids are computer-controlled, with the gear selection decided by a dedicated transmission control unit (TCU) or sometimes this function
9516-402: The driver must change gears manually), while fully automatic versions require no manual driver input, whatsoever ( TCU or ECU operates both the clutch system and gear shifts automatically). Modern automated manual transmissions (AMT) have their roots and origins in older clutchless manual transmissions that began to appear on mass-production automobiles in the early 1930s and 1940s, prior to
9638-408: The driver to change forward gears under normal driving conditions. Vehicles with internal combustion engines , unlike electric vehicles , require the engine to operate in a narrow range of rates of rotation, requiring a gearbox , operated manually or automatically, to drive the wheels over a wide range of speeds. The most common type of automatic transmission is the hydraulic automatic , which uses
9760-403: The end of 2021. In 2018, Mercedes-Benz became the world’s largest premium vehicle brand, with a sales volume of 2.31 million passenger cars. The roots of the brand trace back to the 1901 Mercedes by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen by Carl Benz , which is widely recognized as the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. The brand’s slogan
9882-411: The engine shaft and the differential shaft and in which the clutches are arranged to selectively engage and drive the differential shaft dependent upon the speed at which the differential shaft rotates". However, it would be over a decade later until automatic transmissions were produced in significant quantities. In the meantime, several European and British manufacturers would use preselector gearboxes ,
10004-583: The first mass-produced automatic transmission following its introduction in 1939 (1940 model year). Available as an option in cars such as the Oldsmobile Series 60 and Cadillac Sixty Special , the Hydra-Matic combined a fluid coupling with three hydraulically controlled planetary gearsets to produce four forward speeds plus reverse. The transmission was sensitive to engine throttle position and road speed, producing fully automatic up- and down-shifting that varied according to operating conditions. Features of
10126-749: The front and back, fitted with 255/40 tires in front, and 275/40 tires in the rear, and covered with a high-sheen finish. The S 63 w feature LED turn signals in front, and in the back, 52 LEDS form a "C" on both tail lights. The S 65 AMG is powered by the Mercedes-Benz M275 V12 engine rated at 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp) or 630 PS (460 kW; 620 hp) (on facelift version after 2010) and 1,000 N⋅m (738 lbf⋅ft) of torque. It includes restyled front and rear bumpers and rocker panels, larger wheels, brakes, and tires, four exhaust pipes, modified and reprogrammed suspension for sport biased handling, and various interior changes. Apart from
10248-439: The front suspension struts, two additional steel springs at the rear to complement the air suspension, and larger twin-calliper front brake discs. The vehicles were delivered beginning in late 2008 (the first one in early part of the year for the inauguration of new Russian president Dmitry Medvedev ). The production launch marked the 80th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz special-protection unit. The President of India travels in
10370-433: The gear selector is located between the two front seats or on the steering column, however electronic rotary dials and push-buttons have also been occasionally used since the 1980s, as well as push buttons having been used in the 1950s and 1960s by Rambler (automobile) , Edsel , and most famously, by Chrysler . A few automobiles employed a lever on the instrument panel, such as the 1955 Chrysler Corporation cars, and notably,
10492-401: The gear selector. Some cars offer drivers both methods to request a manual gear selection. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) can change seamlessly through a continuous (infinite) range of gear ratios, compared with other automatic transmissions that provide a limited number of gear ratios in fixed steps. The flexibility of a CVT with suitable control may allow the engine to operate at
10614-525: The greater performance. Another example is the E250 CGI having greater performance than the E200 CGI due to the different engine tuning even though both have 1.8-litre engines. From the marketing perspective, E200 seems more "upscale" than E180. Recent AMG models use the "63" designation (in honor of the 1960s 6.3-litre M100 engine) despite being equipped with either a 6.2-litre ( M156 ), a 5.5-litre ( M157 ) or even
10736-474: The hard disk based COMAND system which includes the navigation screen and one replacing the analog speedometer by a graphical representation of it, which can display a range of additional information and can also be replaced by the Night View Assist display. Below the central COMAND screen are silver effect air vents, and a square, analog clock within the vents. Below the vents are metal tab switches with
10858-519: The higher output engine, many of the AMG modifications give the S 65 AMG a distinctly different character than the S 600 base V12 model. The S65 continues to use the 5 speed transmission, because it can handle the higher torque of the engine, as opposed to the 7-speed transmission. The vehicles were unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show . Mercedes unveiled the S 250 CDI at the Paris Motor Show . The car
10980-406: The introduction of hydraulic automatic transmissions. These systems were designed to reduce the amount of clutch or gear shifter usage required by the driver. These devices were intended to reduce the difficulty of operating conventional unsynchronised manual transmissions ("crash gearboxes") that were commonly used at the time, especially in stop-start driving. An early example of this transmission
11102-453: The labourers' families. In 1958, the two companies began a partnership to sell their cars in the United States with Studebaker . A few American-based Daimler Benz dealerships were converted into Mercedes-Benz dealerships when Daimler's non-Mercedes-partnered company closed in 1966. Over the decades, Mercedes-Benz has introduced many electronic and mechanical innovations and safety features that later became common. Currently, Mercedes-Benz
11224-532: The left and S500/S600 on the right. Mercedes-Benz has developed multi- concept cars with alternative propulsion, such as hybrid-electric, fully electric, and fuel-cell powertrains . At the 2007 Frankfurt motor show , Mercedes-Benz showed seven hybrid models, including the F700 concept car , powered by a hybrid-electric drivetrain featuring the DiesOtto engine. In 2009, Mercedes-Benz displayed three BlueZERO concepts at
11346-445: The lowest vehicle recall rate out of competitors. Mercedes-Benz offers a versatile range of consumer-passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial equipment. These vehicles are manufactured in multiple countries worldwide. The Smart marque of city cars are also produced by Daimler AG. Mercedes-Benz currently offers three types of vans; Citan , Vito , and Sprinter . They are all produced by Daimler AG. Since December 2021,
11468-605: The model year 2011 because of more powerful V6 diesel motors and because of low demand. The S 600 Guard is an armoured vehicle with European B6/B7 resistance level. It resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive charges. Additional safety features include run-flat tyres, 90L self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system. Other features include Michelin PAX 245–700 R470 AC tires, optional emergency fresh-air system, pneumatic emergency control system for
11590-401: The naming system. Models were divided into "classes" denoted by an arrangement of up to three letters (see "Current model range" above), followed by a three-digit (or two-digit for AMG models, with the number approximately equal to the displacement in litres multiplied by 10) number related to the engine displacement as before. Variants of the same model such as an estate version or a vehicle with
11712-443: The next gear's sprag clutch assumes the torque transfer. The friction bands are often used for manually selected gears (such as low range or reverse) and operate on the planetary drum's circumference. Bands are not applied when the drive/overdrive range is selected, the torque being transmitted by the sprag clutches instead. The aforementioned friction bands and clutches are controlled using automatic transmission fluid (ATF), which
11834-681: The number of the highest gear used in that position (eg 3, 2 or 1). If these positions are engaged at a time when it would result in excessive engine speed, many modern transmissions disregard the selector position and remain in the higher gear. In descending order of the highest gear available: Many modern transmissions include modes to adjust the shift logic to prefer either power or fuel economy . "Sport" (also called "Power" or "Performance") modes cause gear shifts to occur at higher engine speeds, allowing higher acceleration. "Economy" (also called "Eco" or "Comfort") modes cause gear shifts to occur at lower engine speeds to reduce fuel consumption. Since
11956-401: The optional seat heating, seat ventilation and memories) and to the electrical mirrors, windows and boot lid opening and closing. Additional seat controls are accessed via the standard COMAND system (these include controlling the optional multi-contour and dynamic driving seats and the massaging seat functions). Throughout the interior, many buttons are metal, with black fields above them denoting
12078-480: The power windows (operates independently of the on-board electronics), emergency boot opening facility, optional Panic Alarm System, rear camera, heated front windscreen and heated front windows, adjustable doorhold system for all four doors, rear doors that are pulled shut automatically over the last few millimetres, and rear electric roller blinds. The vehicle has top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), with GVW of 4,200 kg (9,300 lb). The S600 Pullman Guard
12200-549: The steering column. The S600 retains the 5G-TRONIC automatic transmission . S65 AMG included five-speed automatic SPEEDSHIFT transmission with DIRECT SELECT. Beginning in 2009, S63 AMG includes AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission, S65 AMG includes AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed automatic transmission. All models except S 63 AMG, S 600 L, S 65 L AMG use AIRMATIC suspension, with optional Active Body Control except for 4MATIC models. S 63 AMG, S 600 L, S 65 L AMG include Active Body Control as standard. 4MATIC models were unveiled in
12322-448: The switches' function. The steering wheel has various control buttons for the cluster display, volume and telephone control and for the optional Linguatronic voice control system. On the electrically adjustable steering wheel column are also mounted the gearbox control lever, the stalk for controlling the speedtronic and cruise control functions, the main combination lever that operates the indicators, high beam and windscreen wipers and
12444-424: The tests using a prescribed shifting pattern for manuals not always optimized for economy. However, on long highway journeys manual transmissions require maintaining a very specific cruising speed to optimise economy, making automatics preferable. The most common design of automatic transmissions is the hydraulic automatic, which typically uses planetary gearsets that are operated using hydraulics. The transmission
12566-542: The time, it was a meeting place for the haute volée of France and Europe, especially in winter. His customers included the Rothschild family and other wealthy clients, but as early as 1901, he was selling Mercedes cars in the " New World " as well, including to billionaires Rockefeller , Astor , Morgan , and Taylor. At the Nice race he attended in 1899, Jellinek drove under the pseudonym "Monsieur Mercédès". Many consider that race
12688-605: The torque multiplication of the torque convertor at lower speeds. The Dynaflow was followed by the Packard Ultramatic in mid-1949 and the Chevrolet Powerglide for the 1950 model year. Each of these transmissions had only two forward speeds, relying on the converter for additional torque multiplication. In the early 1950s, BorgWarner developed a series of three-speed torque converter automatics for car manufacturers such as American Motors, Ford and Studebaker. Chrysler
12810-441: The two gear ratios available in the "Low" and "High" ranges and the clutch pedal was required for standing starts. It used a planetary gearset. The Chrysler Fluid Drive , introduced in 1939, was an optional addition to manual transmissions where a fluid coupling (similar to a torque-convertor, but without the torque multiplication) was added, to avoid the need to operate a manual clutch. The General Motors Hydra-Matic became
12932-399: The vehicle, combined with the hybrid system, develops 295 hp (220 kW) and 284 lb⋅ft (385 N⋅m) of torque. It gets 19 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg ‑imp ) in the city and 26 miles per US gallon (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg ‑imp ) on the highway. The ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle is a safety research vehicle based on
13054-532: The world to use a lithium-ion battery . In mid-2010, production commenced on the Vito E-Cell all-electric van. In 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced that it would have a demonstration fleet of small electric cars in two to three years. Mercedes-Benz and Smart are preparing for the widespread uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK by beginning the installation of recharging points across their dealer networks. So far 20 Elektrobay recharging units, produced in
13176-456: Was also the worst manufacturer in 2007 and 2006 in terms of average CO 2 levels, with 181 g and 188 g of CO 2 emitted per km, respectively. Mercedes-Benz paid an additional US$ 38 million for failing to meet its CAFE standards for model years 2008–2011. Automatic transmission An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated AT ) is a multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any input from
13298-418: Was among the first to have the basic gear selections ( park , reverse , neutral , drive , low ) which became the standard gear selection used for several decades. By the late 1960s, most of the fluid-coupling two-speed and four-speed transmissions had disappeared in favor of three-speed units with torque converters. Also around this time, whale oil was removed from the automatic transmission fluid. During
13420-613: Was called the Controlled Coupling Hydra-Matic , or "Jetaway" transmission. The original Hydra-Matic remained in production until the mid-1960s at GM, with the licensed Rolls-Royce Automatic transmission soldiering on until 1978 on the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI . In 1964, General Motors released a new transmission, the Turbo Hydramatic , a three-speed transmission which used a torque convertor. The Turbo Hydramatic
13542-639: Was exclusive to some Asian markets, including Singapore and Malaysia. In 2007, the retail price was S$ 292,888 in Singapore ($ 190k, all cars are extremely expensive in Singapore); in December 2013, at the end of the W221's life cycle, it was sold at RM657,218 in Malaysia. The S 280 was sold in other markets like the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates. It appears to be a short wheelbase version of
13664-400: Was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). Emil Jellinek-Mercedes , an Austrian automobile entrepreneur who worked with DMG, registered the trademark in 1902, naming the 1901 Mercedes 35 hp after his daughter Mercedes Jellinek . Jellinek was a businessman and marketing strategist who promoted "horseless" Daimler automobiles among the highest circles of society. At
13786-501: Was followed by various eastern European tractors through the 1970s (using manual operation via a single clutch pedal), then the Porsche 962 C racing car in 1985. The first DCT of the modern era was used in the 2003 Volkswagen Golf R32 . Since the late 2000s, DCTs have become increasingly widespread, and have supplanted hydraulic automatic transmissions in various models of cars. Automated manual transmission (AMT) , sometimes referred to as
13908-590: Was integrated into DaimlerChrysler in 1999, and became Mercedes-Benz AMG on 1 January 1999. Daimler's ultraluxury Maybach brand was under the Mercedes-Benz Cars division until December 2012, when production was stopped due to decreased sales. It now exists under the Mercedes-Maybach name, with the models being luxury-focused, enhanced models of Mercedes-Benz cars, such as the 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 . The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV debuted in November 2019. Daimler partnered with BYD Auto to make and sell
14030-541: Was introduced in the 1955 Citroën DS , which used a 4-speed BVH transmission. This semi-automatic transmission used an automated clutch, which was actuated using hydraulics . Gear selection also used hydraulics , however, the gear ratio needs to be manually selected by the driver. This system was nicknamed Citro-Matic in the U.S. The first modern AMTs were introduced by BMW and Ferrari in 1997, with their SMG and F1 transmissions, respectively. Both systems used hydraulic actuators and electrical solenoids , and
14152-631: Was introduced with the Hudson Commodore in 1942, called Drive-Master . This unit was an early semi-automatic transmission , based on the design of a conventional manual transmission, which used a servo -controlled vacuum -operated clutch system, with three different gear shifting modes, at the touch of a button; manual shifting and manual clutch operation (fully manual), manual shifting with automated clutch operation (semi-automatic), and automatic shifting with automatic clutch operation (fully automatic). Another early example of this transmission system
14274-607: Was known to have driven in a model of this car during his time in power, with modified custom bulletproof windshields. Most of the currently surviving 770 models were sold at auctions to private buyers. One of the cars is currently on display at the War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario . From 1937 onward, Daimler Benz focused increasingly on military products such as the LG3000 lorry and the DB600 and
14396-532: Was late in developing its own true automatic, introducing the two-speed torque converter PowerFlite in 1953, and the three-speed TorqueFlite in 1956. The latter was the first to utilize the Simpson compound planetary gearset. In 1956, the General Motors Hydra-Matic (which still used a fluid coupling) was redesigned based around the use of two fluid couplings to provide smoother shifts. This transmission
14518-596: Was presented in December 2002 to Autospies journalists at a consumer design clinic, 2.5 years prior to the official production model unveiling in June 2005. Inside, the W221's interior is also significantly different from the preceding model, even more dominated by leather, wood and metal. Where the W220 still had a fair amount of plastic fascias and switches, the W221 has replaced most of these by more luxurious materials such as wood, leather and metal. The interior features an instrument cluster with two large flat panel screens, one for
14640-644: Was presented to the public in 1997. Development began in 1999, with the design work beginning in 2000 at the Advanced Design Center in Tokyo, and the final design by Gorden Wagener at the Sindelfingen Advanced Design Center being approved in 2001, frozen for production in early 2002 and patented in Japan on May 21, 2003, under 1208488 and in Germany on December 4, 2003. A final design prototype W221
14762-487: Was produced by Karl Benz in 1895. The Mercedes-Benz 600 or 600S Pullman Guard limousines offer the option of armour-plating and have been used by diplomats worldwide. Until 1994, Mercedes-Benz utilized an alphanumeric system for categorizing their vehicles, consisting of a number sequence approximately equal to the engine's displacement in liters multiplied by 100, followed by an arrangement of alphabetical suffixes, indicating body style and engine type. Some models in
14884-551: Was using a hand lever, helical gears were used (to reduce noise) and the gears used a constant-mesh design. A planetary gearset was also used in the 1908 Ford Model T , which was fitted with a two-speed manual transmission (without helical gears). An early patent for the automatic transmission was granted to Canadian inventor Alfred Horner Munro of Regina in 1923. Being a steam engineer, Munro designed his device to use compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid , and so it lacked power and never found commercial application. In 1923,
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