The S 600 with its V12 biturbo engine is the top model in the already established S-Class and is available with a long wheelbase and with a luxurious package of equipment and appointments. Its performance data: 530 hp and 830 Nm of torque. The S 600 has made its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show. It will launch on the market in March 2014. But the S-Class is about to get even better in other ways, too: the models in the current range will be upgraded with the addition of a head-up display, touchpad and Collision Prevention Assist Plus."The S-Class has always been the embodiment of our claim to deliver the very best in terms of both technology and design” explained Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars. "And our flagship model, the S 600, epitomises the focus of our development work, the 'Essence of Luxury', in a way that no other model can. Our customers in North America and Asia in particular will enjoy this new top model with its exciting V12 engine."

With an output of 530 hp, the V12 biturbo engine in the S 600 packs a bigger punch than its predecessor did with 517 hp. The displacement of the engine has increased from 5,513 to 5,980 cc.

The maximum torque of 830 Nm is available from 1,900 rpm. The S 600 now for the first time features the ECO start/stop function as standard, which contributes to the car reaching the Euro 6 emissions standard. The combined fuel consumption of the S 600 stands at 25.4 mpg – a 21 per cent improvement over its predecessor (20 mpg).

Perhaps the coolest of all the gadgets is the incorporation of a head-up display that is also available as an option for the S-Class. As in a jet fighter, it displays important information directly in the driver's field of view on the front windscreen, so ensuring that the driver's attention is distracted less from the road ahead.

The system provides information on speed, speed limits and navigation instructions, for example.

From March, all the functions of the head unit can be controlled by fingertip gesture, as with a smartphone, from the new, optional touchpad.

In addition, the touchpad allows letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting - in any language that is available on the head unit. 

A clear windscreen even at sub-zero temperatures, without all the hassle of scraping, is now possible thanks to electric windscreen heating (optional extra). This is designed to work in conjunction with the air-conditioning blower and ensures clear forward visibility in practically no time at all.

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