W220

Although Mercedes-Benz may deny it, the 1999 W220 S-class was a development of the W210 E-class platform while the old W140 – the last of the ‘over-engineered’ Benzes – was recycled for the million-dollar Maybach of 2004.

Launched in April 1999, the W220 arrived with a 3.2-litre SOHC V6 that produced 165kW and 315Nm in the S320.

Also available was the 205kW/400Nm 4.3-litre S430 and S430L V8s, the 225kW/460Nm 5.0-litre S500L V8 and the 270kW/530Nm 5.8-litre V12 S600L (from November 2000).

The 180kW/350Nm 3.7-litre SOHC V6 S350 replaced S320 in March 2003 - the same time the 368kW/700Nm supercharged 5.4-litre S55K and the 368kW/800Nm 5.5-litre V12 S600L - arrived - while the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed auto joined the S430 and S500 in March 2004.