2004 Mercedes-Benz S600. Click image to enlarge

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By Chris Chase; photos courtesy Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class, 2000-2006

As with many Mercedes-Benz models, the S-Class can trace its roots back many decades, but it wasn’t until 1973 that the company officially adopted the S-Class name for its largest sedan.

Fast forward four generations to 2000, when the generation of S-Class codenamed W220 was introduced. The W220 was smaller outside than its predecessor, yet it offered more interior space.

While the S-Class was offered with a wide variety of engines in other markets, North American versions were all offered with V8 power.

In 2000, there were 4.3-litre (275 hp) and 5.0-litre (302 hp) engines (used in the S430 and S500 models, respectively); Mercedes added a 5.5-litre V8 (349 hp) and a 5.8-litre V12 (362 hp) in 2002 to power the S55 AMG and S600.

In 2003, the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system was made available in the S430 and S500, while the S55 and S600 both got serious bumps in power. The S55 got a supercharged 5.5-litre V8 making 493 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, while the S600 benefitted from a turbocharged 5.5-litre V12 also making 493 hp, along with an awesome 590 lb-ft of torque.

Though the W220 carried on much the same through 2006, the S500 was replaced by an S550 wearing the next-gen S-Class’ design, and the S65 AMG with an outrageous turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 making 604 hp(!) and 738 lb-ft of torque(!!), was added to the top of the range.

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