2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: First Look

• Competes with: BMW 7 Series, Audi A8
• Looks like: A longer, lower, wider S-Class with a more athletic-looking front end and curvier body
• Drivetrain: 455-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: September 2013
• MSRP: TBD

If it wasn't enough of an opulent and technological tour-de-force before, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class leaves no question now. The automaker's flagship sedan gets a makeover for the new model year, with more athletic-looking styling, a host of over-the-top new comfort and convenience features, and updated safety systems. 

The sedan is longer, lower and wider than the previous version, but rides on the same wheelbase. The new version makes extensive use of aluminum and weighs in at 4,442 pounds, about 300 pounds less than last year's version.

Mercedes calls the car's styling "a modern embodiment of sensual clarity" but it looks to us like the S-Class borrows heavily from the brand's lineup, with the E-Class' new head- and taillight designs as well as some of the CLS's curves. The sedan also wears a larger, more upright grille and more pronounced wheel arches. Mercedes claims it's also the first vehicle in the world that doesn't use a single traditional light bulb; almost 500 LEDs are used inside and out.

Recall Alert: 5,800 Mercedes-Benz Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 5,800 model-year 2011-12 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic and CL63 AMG vehicles because of a problem in the fuel system that could cause fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. The problem is due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process; the fuel filter flange could crack when operated under high temperatures. If cracking occurs, fuel may leak and cause a fire if an external ignition source is present, NHTSA stated.

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners starting in January, and dealers will replace the fuel filter at no cost. For more info, owners can contact Mercedes-Benz at 800-367-6372 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.

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Five Cars Perfect for Golf Foursomes

The Ryder Cup starts this week at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill., and signals that — for much of the country — golf season is at an end. But before you pack up your clubs for the season — or if you're lucky enough to live in a state conducive to year-round golf — here are five cars that are perfect for a golf foursome thanks to a roomy cabin and most importantly, a giant trunk.

Maybach Brand Discontinued

Mercedes-Benz’s ultra-luxury Maybach brand will be no more starting in 2013, according to the Detroit News.

While having a century’s worth of history, the Maybach marquee was revived in the U.S. market in 2003 to compete against Rolls-Royce and Bentley. During that time, the brand essentially sold only one model in two lengths: the Type 57 and Type 62. Amenities included a fully reclining rear seat, electrotransparent sunroof, rear refrigerator and standard champagne flutes.

A range-topping $1.38 million convertible variant, the Maybach Landaulet, was recently added to the lineup.

Recall Alert: 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz Diesel Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 6,872 sedans, SUVs and crossovers because of the possibility of a fuel leak, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects 2011 R-Class, 2011 E-Class, 2011 ML-Class, 2011 GL-Class and 2012 S-Class vehicles equipped with a diesel engine. On these vehicles, the O-rings that seal components within the fuel filter may not be effective, allowing fuel to leak onto the road. This could lead to a crash or cause a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Owners will be notified of the recall next month, and Mercedes will inspect and replace the fuel filter if necessary. The repairs will be free. Owners can call Mercedes-Benz at 800-367-6372 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Ch-Ch-Changes: Mercedes-Benz 2012 Lineup

For the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz has upgraded most of the powertrains in its lineup with more fuel-efficient transmission and engines, including a new four-cylinder and start/stop technology on some models.

Many models also get a new audio head unit, which has a 5.8-inch display, Bluetooth audio streaming, phonebook download functions, album cover art display and a USB port. We’ll denote which models get the new audio system with *new radio unit. There’s also a new 7-inch touch-screen navigation system available on most models, which includes real-time weather updates, three-dimensional city models and a 10-gigabyte music player.

Continue reading below for more details:

The Worst Hybrids for the Money

Every year, we determine which hybrids are the best for the money, based on body style. This year, we also take a look at the worst hybrids for the money.

What we mean by worst is this: hybrids that end up with a very low score after you divide the car’s combined EPA mileage estimate by its MSRP and multiply that number by 1,000. Our best finisher was the Honda Insight. Who was at the other end?

To be fair, many of the cars on this list are luxury cars, and you’re paying for that as much as you’re paying for the hybrid drivetrain. And some of these perform, percentage-wise, far better than their gas counterparts. (Take the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, for example.) And some shoppers, of course, want and/or need a large SUV but would like to make some kind of statement. Still, my 2003 Honda Pilot scores better (0.58) than all the cars on this list, and it’s not even a hybrid.

Here’s the bottom 10:

Mercedes-Benz mbrace Plus: Worth the cost?

Kevin Link, marketing head at Hughes Telematics, punched a button in the overhead console of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. He was in the driver’s seat; I sat shotgun. It was around 11 a.m. on the second media day at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, and a few journalists still trolled the Mercedes display outside our car.
 
Moments later, the E-Class patched through a perky operator. She asked Link what he’d like. He wanted coffee. She sent directions to the nearest Starbucks to the car’s navigation system. Anything else?
 
I pitched a curveball: Say, what’s Google stock running at right now? Could we buy some shares?
 
A moment of silence.
 
She piped up: “As of 10:54, I have the price of Google at $613.39, which is down $3.06 today.”
 
“Would you like to buy any?” Link said, grinning. Not right now, I replied.
 
So it goes with Mercedes’ mbrace Plus.

Mercedes-Benz' New Turbo V-8 Engines

Today, Mercedes-Benz revealed more details about its V-8 engine lineup. The two new V-8 powertrains promise more power, improved emissions and better fuel efficiency.

The more important of the two is the new twin turbo 4.6-liter V-8. It will replace the successful 5.5-liter V-8 that powers most Mercedes with the “550” behind their class designations.

The engine’s decreased displacement is offset by the power boost of the twin turbochargers, which have a fairly high 10.5-to-1 compression ratio. The 4.6 promises 10 percent better fuel economy while producing 30% better torque. In the 2011 CL500, it produces 429 horsepower and 516 pounds-feet of torque. That’s 12% better power and 32% better torque than the outgoing 5.5-liter V-8 found in the 2010 CL550. This engine will likely find its way into the E-Class and the S-Class in the near future.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550, 2010 Dodge Caliber

This week, we talk up two cars that have received mild updates. One remains synonymous with the top of its class, and the other … not so much. Find out how the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 retains so much of what makes it a top luxury sedan and why the 2010 Dodge Caliber still has work to do to make a place for itself amongst tough competition.

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