Mercedes-Benz S450 FAQs

• What's the difference between the S450 and S560?

  These two units were once separated by much more than just their performance attributes, however, in recent times, Mercedes-Benz has sought to bridge the gap, offering many of the same features as standard across both cars. Nonetheless, it's hard to go past the engine as the defining difference between these two luxury powerhouses, with the S560 stepping things up a notch thanks to its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 motor, complete with 345kW or power and 700Nm of torque. That is significantly more than you'll find in the current S450 variants, which boast V6 engines capable of 270kW and 500Nm, and a mild-hybrid boost, but that could change when a top-spec S450 variant arrives with a V8 engine in due course.

• What engine is in the S450?

  Mercedes-Benz's new luxury limousine has launch in Australia with a six-cylinder petrol with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, while a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 is still on the cards for local motorists in the not-too-distant future. Both the 'standard' S450 4Matic and the long-wheelbase S450L 4Matic harness a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine, offering 270kW of power and 500Nm of torque. They are paired with a nine-speed auto gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel-drive, with the configuration extending to a mild-hybrid that brings with it an extra 16kW and 250Nm thanks to a 48-volt electrical system.

• What does S Class mean in Mercedes?

  The Mercedes-Benz S-Class derived its name from the German language, where it is called the S-Klasse. That in itself was an abbreviation for the full German word, Sonderklasse, which means "special class". This series is one of the most luxurious in the company's range, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and amenity, very much in the style of a limousine or full-size sedan. All told, the S-Class really does demonstrate itself to be a special class.