Mercedes confirms ‘Pullman’ flagship
to fill the gap left by Maybach brand and take on the Phantom
Mercedes-Benz plans to spin a full-blown
Rolls-Royce Phantom rival from its new S-class model, Daimler chairman Dieter
Zetsche has revealed.
In an interview with Autocar last week,
Zetsche confirmed that Mercedes-Benz has conceived and developed the new
S-class to support six different models, along with three different wheelbases
in a move aimed at broadening its reach at the top end of the luxury car ranks.
New
S-class will come in a choice of three wheelbases
And that range will be topped by a new
‘Pullman’ model that has been conceived to crown the future Mercedes-Benz
line-up, in a position previously occupied by the company’s discontinued
Maybach brand.
The ultra-luxury saloon, based on an
extra-long-wheelbase version of the S-class, will gain individual styling
touches, including a highly distinctive grille aimed at giving it a more noble
appearance than standard S-class models.
“We will continue in the market segment
above $255,000,” said Zetsche. “It is important that Mercedes-Benz is
represented. We have tradition at this level.
“We see a chance to extend our leadership
at the top end of the luxury car market. We plan to extend the number of
models, and a Pullman is included in those plans.”
The Mercedes-Benz chairman confirmed that
the new S-class, due to go on sale in the UK this October, will eventually be
sold with the choice of three wheelbases in selected markets.
S-class
coupé will replace the CL; it will be unveiled this September
They include standard, long and extra-long
wheelbases – the latter of which has been added to the line-up to satisfy
demand for stately limousines in key markets such as China.
At the Frankfurt motor show in September,
Mercedes-Benz plans to preview its new CL-replacing S-class coupé in concept
car guise, ahead of UK sales in 2014.
The new two-door, which gains more
individual styling than previous models, will also form the basis of a new
S-class cabriolet, which is planned to go on sale late next year.
Touted
as the most luxurious S-Class ever made, the new big boy measures 5.11
meters long in short-wheel-base (SWB), 1.89m wide, 1.48m high
and has a wheelbase of 3 meters
The
new S-Class is the first saloon to feature Mercedes-Benz's front bass system
and the new Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system for
a superlative listening experience.
For
the first time, each passenger can individually access the entertainment system
from their seat.
