Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan (W220) · 4th generation S
W220
Lighter, faster and far more electronic — the S-Class enters the digital age.
- Production
- 1998–2005
- Built
- 484,683
- Body
- Sedan
- Chassis
- W220
After the monumental W140, Mercedes-Benz went the other way — the W220 was shorter, lighter and shaped by the wind rather than by authority, the first S-Class designed to be driven as much as to be driven in.
Launched in autumn 1998, it made AIRMATIC air suspension standard across the range and brought DISTRONIC radar cruise control and COMAND to a production car, with Active Body Control on the V8 and V12 flagships. The line-up ran from the M112 V6 of the S 280 to the M275 twin-turbo V12 of the S 600, with the supercharged S 55 AMG above them, while OM613, OM648 and OM628 diesels made the big saloon genuinely economical in Europe.
A 2002 facelift added 4MATIC and revised lamps, followed in September 2003 by the first 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic in the rear-drive S 430 and S 500. Production ran to December 2005, and the W220 outsold the W140 comfortably — the generation that taught the S-Class to carry its technology lightly.
Every model.
10 model designations across 1998–2005 — engines, transmissions and series codes for the W220.
| Model | Lata modelowe | Podwozie | Silnik | Skrzynia biegów | Razem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S 280 | 1998–2005 | 220 | 112 | 722.6 | — |
| S 320 | 1998–2005 | 220 | 112 | 722.6 | — |
| S 350 | 2002–2005 | 220 | 112 | 722.6 | — |
| S 430 | 1998–2005 | 220 | 113 | 722.6 · 722.9 | — |
| S 500 | 1998–2005 | 220 | 113 | 722.6 · 722.9 | — |
| S 600 | 1998–2005 | 220 | 137 · 275 | 722.6 | — |
| S 320 CDI | 1998–2005 | 220 | 613 · 648 | 722.6 | — |
| S 400 CDI | 1998–2005 | 220 | 628 | 722.6 | — |
| S 55 AMG | 1998–2005 | 220 | 113 | 722.6 | — |
| S 65 AMG | 2004–2005 | 220 | 275 | 722.6 | — |
Year by year.
AIRMATIC, PRE-SAFE, 4MATIC and the twin-turbo flagships — the changes that define early and late W220 S-Classes.
- 2000
- The W220 reached the US as S 430 and S 500 models with standard AIRMATIC air suspension, COMAND navigation/audio and optional DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control.
- Compared with the W140 it deleted double glazing and reduced size and weight while adding side curtain airbags and extensive multiplexed electronics.
- 2001
- The S 55 AMG became the first AMG S-Class officially listed in the US, using a naturally aspirated 5.4-litre M113 V8.
- 2003
- The facelift brought a more upright grille, rounder clear-lens headlamps, a wider lower intake, revised mirrors and tail lamps, and upgraded switches, upholstery and cabin trim.
- PRE-SAFE debuted, preparing the cabin when sensors detected an impending collision; 4MATIC became available on six- and eight-cylinder models.
- The S 600 changed from the naturally aspirated M137 to the 493-hp twin-turbo M275 V12, while the S 55 AMG gained a supercharger and 493 hp.
- 2005
- The S 65 AMG joined with a 604-hp 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 and 738 lb-ft of torque, plus larger AMG brakes and model-specific body and wheel equipment.
- 2006
- Final US model year for the W220 before the W221 replacement; late cars retain the facelift lighting and interior and the post-2003 powertrain range.
