Mercedes S 600

...at one of my local Mercedes dealers, cap in hand, and looking for a “wee spin” in their new top executive saloon, the Mercedes S600L.


~ ~ Straight off, it has to be said that in my opinion, Mercedes set the standard that other manufacturers in the luxury car bracket must try to emulate and follow.
The new S600L competes directly against the other German flagship from Bavaria, the BMW 750iL, and also against ...
...present time, at least until Mercedes get around to releasing their new super car, the “Maybach”, that they promise will put every other car in this bracket permanently into the shade.
But, at least for the moment, the Mercedes S600L can probably lay claim to the title of the “top car for top people”.

~ ~ This new Merc is a big, heavy car, but driving it you would be very hard put to catch on to that ... more

~ ~ As a totally confirmed car “addict”, one of my favourite past times is haunting the car showrooms here in my adopted city of Dublin, and straining to the limit my friendly relations with many of the salespeople who work there, as I beg for test drives in any new models coming on the motoring scene.
The fact that I’m now a journalist by profession, all be it a part-time one, does tend to help a little though when you’re looking to get your hands on a new car to put through its paces, (especially an expensive one) as there is nothing car manufacturers like more than a bit of free publicity, or a good write up in a newspaper or magazine.
This can be worth more to them in sales terms than thousands of pounds spent on TV or newspaper advertising, which is why I’m fairly sure they are delighted with the new opinion portals like Ciao and dooyoo, where a lot of the time they are getting “free” publicity, as well as valuable feedback from consumers.

~ ~ And so it was I found myself at one of my local Mercedes dealers, cap in hand, and looking for a “wee spin” in their new top executive saloon, the Mercedes S600L.

~ ~ Straight off, it has to be said that in my opinion, Mercedes set the standard that other manufacturers in the luxury car bracket must try to emulate and follow.
The new S600L competes directly against the other German flagship from Bavaria, the BMW 750iL, and also against the Audi A8 4.2 quattro.
Mercedes claim is that it is no less than the “world’s finest executive saloon”.

~ ~ So is this claim true or an exaggeration?
The simple truth is that it probably is the best on the market at the present time, at least until Mercedes get around to releasing their new super car, the “Maybach”, that they promise will put every other car in this bracket permanently into the shade.
But, at least for the moment, the Mercedes S600L can probably lay claim to the title of the “top car for top people”.

~ ~ This new Merc is a big, heavy car, but driving it you would be very hard put to catch on to that fact.
It has a long wheelbase and a huge 5,786cc V12 engine, which make very light work indeed of shifting this car and its occupants about the place.
The engine reaches its maximum power output of 367bhp at 5,500rpm, and this power combined with a slick and extremely efficient five-speed automatic gearbox means that the driver never has to work too hard. It almost feels as if the car is driving you, rather than the other way around.
It simply gets on with the job in hand without the slightest complaint, and works in perfect harmony with the driver to produce a totally effortless ride.
Mercedes have incorporated what they call an “intelligent” air suspension system that actually enhances the smooth and supple ride, but which can actually adapt to provide the driver with highly responsive handling and taut body control as the situation dictates.
This is power at its most refined, and the car will carry you to 60mph in only 6.3 seconds, and on to a top speed of 155mph plus if you so desire.
And it will do so with the absolute minimum of fuss, and with literally no effort.
And as you would expect in a car with this sort of potent power, there is also a very powerful set of brakes, that slow progress with a quiet reassurance and confidence when the necessity arises.

~ ~When you climb inside the cabin you realise straight away why Mercedes is the choice of so many top executives.
It has all the usual extras that you would expect, such as climate control, pre tensioned seatbelts, etc, etc.
But it’s when you get into the BACK seat, which is where most owners of this car will spend their time, that the car really begins to shine and come into its own.
This is pure, unashamed luxury of the very highest level. However, there is nothing too garish or ostentatious, but rather an understated sense of true class, with its pale grey and black plastics combining smoothly and elegantly with touches of real walnut.
One of the most impressive things is the amount of space available; no banging your knees of the front seats in this wagon!!
The seats themselves are simply the best that money can buy, being crafted in a soft and supple “Nappa” leather. They can be electrically adjusted to suit any size or shape of passenger, and can be either heated or cooled depending on the climatic conditions. (The heater option will be the most used here in Ireland!!)
There is also a range of optional extras to help the top executive feel as though they’ve never actually left their palatial and well appointed office. You can have a walnut working table set into the back of the passenger seat, and even have a small fridge installed into the armrest to ensure that your chilled cocktails (or whatever) are always available on demand.

~ ~ In the UK the S600L starts at a base price of £77,040, that can rise steeply the more extras you decide to add.
But compare this price to a Rolls Royce Silver Seraph at £159,000, and the Mercedes almost starts to look like a bargain!
(if you’re in this kind of buyer’s bracket, that is!! )

~ ~ If what you’re looking for is refined and spacious luxury transport that will whisk you happily across Continents, or simply from boardroom to boardroom in the city, then you will be hard put to find anything to beat this piece of German engineering genius.
As for myself, I’ll be waiting until I either win the Lottery, or until the car is ten or twelve years old and thus affordable, before I’ll be thinking about one for myself. (although I have to admit it would make a LOVELY taxi!!)

 

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