Kelley Blue Book ® - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Overview

The letter S. For years it has been used in conjunction with everything speedy, from super heroes like Superman to high-speed transports like the SST. Given the S's prolific use as a symbol of power and invincibility, it seems only logical that Mercedes-Benz should also choose the letter S to symbolize the best sedan in their lineup: the stunningly sleek S600.

If you don't know the S600, let us take a minute to introduce you. This is Mercedes' biggest sedan, stretching over 200 inches in length; it carries all the trademark Mercedes styling cues and blows them up into larger-than-life proportions. The long body seems to be swept backwards, as though it were shaped by the wind itself. The Mercedes grille and front lights also lay at a racked angle that makes the car look like it's speeding even when parked harmlessly in the driveway. The S600's size definitely is intended to make a statement about its owner; though this car is large enough to fit five people comfortably, nine times out of ten you'll see only the owner behind the wheel— or on some occasions in the rear seat with an accompanying chauffeur. The S600 isn't about space efficiency after all; it's about opulence on a grand scale.

Look beyond the exterior and you'll find dozens of subtle luxury touches that set this sedan apart from all the others. The side windows, for example, are double-paned to keep wind and road noise far away; should you fail to muster enough muscle to pull the door fully shut, a set of tiny electric motors leap into action and seal the door securely. Inside, you'll find the S600 lavished in fine leathers and polished wood. The interior is reserved, as befits the Germanic propensity to shun the gaudy and overly ornate. The handsome dash flows like a ribbon let loose in the wind, curving gently before you and flowing seamlessly into the doors. The instrumentation is bright and easy to read and—with the exception of the complex COMMAND audio and navigation setup—everything in the S600 works with intuitive simplicity.

Front passengers will enjoy a set of multi-adjustable seats that feature flow-through ventilation. At work are ten small fans that circulate air through the porous perforated leather, thus evaporating perspiration and keeping your backside cool and comfortable. Rear-seat passengers in the S600 will not only enjoy enough room to literally stretch out in, but will find that their seats can be electrically reclined and heated. And when the conversation in the cabin reaches a lull, you can fill the air with music via the ten-speaker audio system. As we mentioned before, the audio system is controlled via a touch screen monitor that also serves as the information screen for the onboard navigation unit. You will find that once you learn the system, it works relatively well, but it is still more complex than need be, sometimes requiring the driver to remove his eyes from the road in order to scroll through screens or change the audio settings. To their credit, Mercedes has simplified the system somewhat for 2003 and added a single in-dash CD player to accompany the trunk-mounted CD changer.

That the S600 is luxurious should surprise no one; but that it is also a blisteringly fast performance car may catch a few off guard. Beneath the polished hood beats the heart of a 6.0-liter V12 twin-turbo charged engine. Rated at over 490 horsepower, one wonders if the limits of man and machine might not be tested with this car. Hit the accelerator and the twin turbos spool up instantly, rocketing the car to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds. So violent are the g-forces that you'll find your head pinned to the headrest, your hands clutching the steering wheel and your stomach firmly planted in your throat; needless to say it's one of the greatest rides since the invention of the roller coaster. A host of electronic wizardry keeps the wheels from out pacing the speeding momentum of the car's bulk, negating the annoying wheel chirps and unintended rubber patches so often laid down when attempting to out accelerate the car next to you. Once you decide that deceleration is a prudent move, a set of enormous four-piston calipers halt the speeding S600 with the same dedication as the engine that sent it hurdling forward.

You'll find the S600 to be a wonderfully capable sedan, but you may also find that its ride leans toward the firm side and that even with all its insulation, the fat 18-inch performance tires create enough whine to penetrate the otherwise serene cabin. There is a fully-automatic active-body-control air suspension that is constantly adjusting itself to keep the car level and devoid of lean and pitch. It's a terrifically complex system that requires no input from you. You'll find that the S600's handling is superb, though the car's long rear does take some getting used to when you are trying to cut in and out of traffic. But hey, what does that really matter; if you're driving, you have enough power to muscle your way through any situation and if you're the rear passenger, it's a moot point altogether.