Trailblazing innovations in the areas of comfort and drive engineering combined with state-of-the-art technology for enhanced safety consolidate the Mercedes-Benz flagship's position as the brand's innovation driver.

The technology highlights include the world's first standard production hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery in the S 400 HYBRID, which makes the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz model the most economical petrol-engine luxury saloon.

The fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres corresponds to carbon dioxide emissions of just 186 grams per kilometre.

The engine range further includes eight modern petrol and diesel engines that require up to seven per cent less fuel.

With an average fuel consumption of 7.6 litres of diesel, the S 350 BlueEFFICIENCY is one of the most efficient models in the luxury segment.

The S-Class's traditionally exemplary standard of safety is further enhanced by a unique combination of innovative camera- and radar-based driver assistance systems which turn the luxury saloon into an "intelligent" partner on the road.

These systems include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist and the advanced Night View Assist PLUS facility.  Other innovations are the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection function and automatic crosswind stabilisation.

With 270,000 units sold since its international market launch in the European Autumn of 2005, the W 221-series S-Class is the world's most successful luxury saloon, and seamlessly continues the success story of the flagship model in the Mercedes line-up.

Since 1951, when the model 220 began the lineage of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has delivered around 3.3 million passenger cars from this model series to customers.

Mercedes-Benz's technology leadership is demonstrated by the new S 400 HYBRID, which is the first production vehicle in the world to feature a hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery.

"The S 400 HYBRID is an important milestone on the way to emission-free mobility," notes Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.