First official details: new Mercedes S-Class

These are the first official images of the new Mercedes S-Class which will go on sale later this year.

As with the recently launched Mercedes E-Class and E-Class Coupe, the new Mercedes S-Class has a more angular grille and also features a new front bumper.

The 2009 Mercedes S-Class will be available with five petrol engines and one diesel.

With 235bhp, the 350CDI BlueEfficiency is likely to be the most popular, averaging 37.2mpg. Mercedes has made this model more aerodynamic and fitted a seven-speed automatic gearbox to achieve the figure.

At the top of the range is the S63 AMG. With a 612bhp, 6-litre V12 engine, the £150,000 S63 AMG will accelerate from 0-62mph (100kph) in less than 4.5 seconds.

Other models in the range include the entry-level 3.5-litre S350, 5.5-litre S500 and the flagship 5.5-litre, twin-turbocharged S600 which accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds.

Mercedes is also fitting its luxury saloon with Attention Assist, which alerts the driver with a warning sound if it detects signs of drowsiness.

Another new feature is ‘crosswind stabilisation’ which works with the car’s Active Body Control which varies the wheel load distribution to remove the effects of crosswinds and reduce the effect of strong gusts.

When the outgoing S-Class arrived in 2005, it featured a ground-breaking ‘Night View Assist’ which is a screen which gives the driver a clearer view on particularly dark roads.

For the 2009 S-Class, the ‘Night View Assist’ can now detect pedestrians ahead of the car, highlighting them on the display.

Full specifications and prices will be announced closer to when the Mercedes S-Class’ autumn on-sale date.