2007 Mercedes-Benz S500 Specs, Price, Speed, Fuel Economy, & Sales

Also optional is a new Distronic Plus radar-guided cruise-control system that's capable of braking the vehicle to a full stop and then accelerating back to a preset speed once the vehicle ahead begins moving. The new S-Class will also offer a new night-view assist system that uses two active infrared headlamps (with beams invisible to humans) to illuminate the road ahead; images from a camera inside the windshield are then displayed in the instrument cluster (at press time, Mercedes hadn't determined if the system would be standard or optional).

We drove the car you see in these pictures, a short-wheelbase S500 (virtually indistinguishable from the long-wheelbase car unless the two are side by side) equipped with optional AMG wheels and low-profile tires and AMG body skirts. At typical American Interstate speeds, the car was so free of wind noise that tire rumble over certain rough surfaces became the overriding cockpit sound. Wind sounds pick up over 100 mph, but this is still an astonishingly quiet car (Mercedes credits more than 170 insulation components--including insulating glass with acoustic foil).

The standard Airmatic suspension with adaptive damping provides a controlled but nicely filtered ride, even with the AMG-spec tires. The driver can opt for Sport or Comfort modes via a cockpit switch. Our test car also had the optional Active Body Control system, which Mercedes says reduces body roll by up to 60 percent compared with the previous model. Throw in the eager V-8 and the outstanding seven-speed, and you have a car that hustles through the Swiss Alps like a good sport coupe. Oh, and not to be overlooked are the optional massage seats, which on long drives do such a spectacular job of invigorating your spinal column you'll want to leave a tip.

After our brief drives, it appears the big Benz's reputation is secure--the S-Class has the goods; unquestionably, it's a stunning new luxury sedan. But has Mercedes built the new Eurosedan title-holder, a star that outshines not only the 7 Series but also the Audi A8 and the Jaguar XJ? Stay tuned: We'll share our verdict after thorough Stateside deliberations next year.