2015 Mercedes-Benz S600 Goes Long on Luxury

The pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz luxury sedans is about to get even better with the S600 introduced today at the Detroit Auto Show.

For the 2015 model year, Mercedes banner luxury barge gains a half-liter of displacement to be powered by a 6.0-liter V12 rather than the old 5.5-liter unit. It makes 523 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque, both of which represent small gains over the old powerplant and for the first time, standard start-stop technology to save fuel. That last part probably has more to do with Mercedes trying to lower its fleet-wide average fuel economy than it does with S-Class owners regarding gas mileage as a relevant consideration.

The S600 will be sold exclusively as a long wheelbase model although Mercedes hasn’t specified how much extra rear seat legroom the extended model will offer when it arrives this spring.

When that happens, Mercedes will begin offering a handful of new and updated technologies that will be part of a comprehensive package for the S600 but available in the S550.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

A touch pad will be available to control the infotainment system in what the brand says will mimic current smartphone controls. Users will also be able to enter text with handwriting gestures in any language available on the screen.

A head-up display will also be introduced and Mercedes will offer an updated version of the “Collision Prevention Assist” currently packaged with the S550. Aptly named “Collision Prevention Assist Plus,” the system is able to brake autonomously at up to 124 mph. It can also stop the car completely at speeds up to 50 mph. It can also respond to stationary vehicles at up to 31 mph and will prevent rear-end collisions at up to 25 mph.

Mercedes is also adding an optional heated windshield that will prevent owners from having to scrape ice and snow after a storm.