32 — Friday, August 20, 1999 - North Shore News FAMILIAR, solid, heavy and regal, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class features eight airbags, a GPS-based navigational system, and a voice-activafed telephone and stereo system that is capable of recognizing different dialects and accents. From page 28 er, lighter engines. The new S-Class is now 225 kilograms (496 ib.) lighter, 53 mm shorter, 25 mm narrower, and 4mm lower than the previous long wheelbase S-Class mod- north shore news =; AUTO and shocks adjust to improve handling the $-Class is designed to cruise comfortably on German autobahns at speeds over 200 km/h, so 100 km/h is like a walk in the park for this “bahn” storm Though the $430 could not be described as sporty, and accuracy The most significant differ: ence in the S-Class suspension are New air springs which replace steel coils. The new springs automatically adjust their height te keep the car level and can be raised 20 min by pressing a button on the dashboard, Conversely, the suspension automatically lowers by 15 mun at speeds over EEO km/h to reduce air drag and improve fucl economy. In addition, the shock absorbers have four different stiffness levels which are automatically adjusted depending on dri- ving conditions, All tour dise brakes are now larger and are cross- drilled to minimize brake fade. AH S-Class sedans tea- ture standard four-wheel anti- lock brakes, “Brake Assist” which automatically applies more pedal pressure in an emergency, ASR traction con- trol, and ESP stability svstem which helps prevent the car from losing control in slippery NEWS photo Grad Ledwidge has been changed trom a double wishbone design to four-link design by splitting = the lower links. The effect is PP arren to improve vehicle stability and ride and combined with a conditions, Though the new $-Class is smaller than the previous model, the interior is actually larger. Cabin length has been increased by 38 mm, and Ssix mm more head- room, Cabin width has reased, but not by much. According to Me: press literature, the new $ Class long wheelbase model is roomier than long wheelbase versions of the BMW 7-8 and Jaguar Vanden Pla: The interior feature curved dash with plenty of wood trim, and a prominent monitor in the centre dash area. The small, colour moni- tor displays stereo functions, butts nota touch screen — controls are to the right of the monitor. The monitor's most important function will be for a GPS-based navigation sys- tem which requires a CD- ROAL map tor cach majar ity. Untortunately, only sronta will be available for viewing th The navi tion system is quite simp! e Options page 33 new speed-sensitive, power- assisted rack and pinion steer- ing system. This replaces a Complete mechanica! & electrical repairs by factory trained technician de JEEP OWNERS els. handling has been improved The styling now has a over the previous model. The moderate wedge shape and is _ front independent suspension dominated by distinctive poly- carbonate headlamp covers, a lower sloping hoodline with raked grille and at the rear, large triangular-shaped wrap- around taillamps. The S-Class underwent thousands of hours of wind tunnel testing, and though it’s a big car, it has a very low drag coefficient of 0.27, the lowest of any car on the mar- ket today. The S-Class uses the 4.3 litre V8 engine as £430, ML430, and C43, but adds a new 5.0 litre version of this engine in the $500. These all-aluminum single overhead cam engines have _ two sparkplugs per and three valves per (two intake and one exhaust). They help improve combus- tion efficiency and lower emissions, and a two-stage intake manifold to improve low and The interval for oi] changes is now 15,000 km (up from 12,000 km), and car be as high as 30,000 kilometres, depending on driving use. The standard adaptive five- speed automatic transmission with a floor shift lever now has a sportshift mode that allows the driver to shift man- uaily (without a clutch), by tapping the gear icver left to shift down, and right to shift up. It’s not really a substitute for a manual transmission but it does allow the driver to control shifting points for more spirited driving. The 4.3-litre V8 feels vel- smooth in day-to-day driving, offering more than adequate responsiveness off the line and effortless cruising power on the highway — it turns over just 2,000 p.m. at a steady cruising speed of 100 AMC quiet and the engine so smooth, that it’s easy to find yourself going over the speed limit. Like r German cars, recirculating ball system and improves the steering, feel IMPEX AUTO 1166A West 14th Street Tel: 985-6237 (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear) ES OR 0 Gs ee eee) eee ee CARTER CHEVROLE REGENCY PONTIAC-BuickK-CADILLAC-GMC 985-6333