With the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman, Mercedes is looking to directly target it’s Rolls-Royce Phantom rival, as revealed by Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche.
Zetsche recently confirmed with UK’s Autocar that “Mercedes-Benz has conceived and developed the new S-class to support six different models, along with three different wheelbases in a move aimed at broadening its reach at the top end of the luxury car ranks”.
At the very top of the S-Class lineup will be the ‘Pullman’ variant, designed to take the place of Daimler’s discontinued Maybach brand, the S-Class Pullman will be the crown of the future Mercedes-Benz line-up.
The S-Class Pullman will be based on an extra-long-wheelbase version of the S-class, measuring in at around 236.2 inches long with around a 138 inch wheelbase. It will receive several luxurious styling touches unique to the model, most notably, the ultra luxury model will gain a distinctive grille that will give the S-Class a more noble appearance over it’s S-Class brethren.
“We will continue in the market segment above €200,000 [£170,000],” said Zetsche. “It is important that Mercedes-Benz is represented. We have tradition at this level.
“We see a chance to extend our leadership at the top end of the luxury car market. We plan to extend the number of models, and a Pullman is included in those plans.”
Zetsche also confirmed that the new S-Class, due to go on sale this fall, will eventually be sold with the choice of three wheelbases in selected markets. Wheelbases will include standard, long and extra-long wheelbases — the long added to the line-up for key markets like China who desire limousines in key markets such as China.
Adding to the S-Class lineup, Mercedes plans to unveil their CL replacement, the S-Class Coupe at the Frankfurt motor show this September. The new coupe S-Class, which will likely be debuted initially as a concept, will be the base for the next S-Class model, the S-class Cabriolet, scheduled to go on sale toward the end of 2014. Quotes via Autocar.
The S-Class Pullman is slated to be unveiled in May of 2014, so stay tuned.
