| Model year | 2009 |
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | S-Class |
| Style | S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A) |
| Base MSRP | $90,225 |
| Options on test vehicle | Sport Package ($5,690 -- includes 19-inch AMG five-spoke wheels, sport body styling); Premium Package ($4,990 -- includes rearview camera, Parktronic, Keyless Go, Drive-Dynamic multicontour front seats with massage feature, Night View Assist); Active Body Control ($3,960); Distronic Plus Package ($2,880 --includes Distronic Plus with Parking Guidance and Blind Spot Assist); Savanna/Cashmere Premium Leather ($1,330); Panorama Sunroof ($1,050); iPod Integration Kit ($425) |
| As-tested MSRP | $111,550 |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Engine type | V8 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 5,461cc (333 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.7 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 382 @ 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 391 @ 2,800 |
| Transmission type | Seven-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=4.38; II=2.86; III=1.92; IV=1.37; V=1.00; VI=0.82; VII=0.73; R=3.42; R2(winter mode)=2.23; Final=2.65 |
| Suspension, front | Multilink |
| Suspension, rear | Multilink |
| Steering type | Speed-proportional power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 17.83:1 |
| Tire brand | Continental |
| Tire model | SportContact 2 |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | 255/45R19 100Y |
| Tire size, rear | 275/45R19 101Y |
| Wheel size | 19-by-8.5 inches front -- 19-by-9.5 inches rear |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Ventilated disc |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 3.8 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 5.7 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 8.2 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 13.9@101.0 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 5.4 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 27 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 108 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | SC OFF=63.0; SC ON=63.4 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | SC OFF=0.87; SC ON=0.87 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 44.0 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 76.5 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 64.4 |
| Acceleration comments | Responds well to brake-torque but not too much wheelspin. Smooth linear power delivery, with an aggressive exhaust note. Shifts are buttery smooth, but not very quick. |
| Braking rating | Excellent |
| Braking comments | Crazy-powerful brakes that don't fade a bit. Very little dive but the pedal is a little soft (always). Belt cinches tightly when ABS engages. |
| Handling rating | Very Good |
| Handling comments | In both skid pad and slalom tests, I couldn't detect a bit of difference with ESP on or off. Also, the Active Body Control is very strange, but works amazingly well -- keeping all four tires firmly planted on the ground. ABC in the skid pad means zero body roll. Very slight corrections from ESP keep it spot-on in the circle. Steering feels a tad light. On the slalom course, ABC leans the car INTO the turn like a slalom skier. Strange! In the end, ABC and ESP made every run highly repeatable and easy-peasy. Same speed with ESP off or on. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 67.75 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 1.5 west |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 14 city/22 highway |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 23.8 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 4,465 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 4,630 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 52.6/47.4 |
| Length (in.) | 205.0 |
| Width (in.) | 73.7 |
| Height (in.) | 58.0 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 124.6 |
| Track, front (in.) | 63.1 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 63.2 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 40.0 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.9 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 42.3 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 37.8 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 38.5 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 59.1 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 58.7 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 16.3 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 16.3 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | Unlimited |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Unlimited years/3,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front and dual rear |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Pre-collision safety system |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
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