• The hood, trunk lid, doors, and front fenders of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are made of aluminum.

• When the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 is equipped with 4Matic all-wheel drive, it weighs 145 pounds more than standard.

• The 4Matic system features a standard 45/55 front and rear power split, but automatically varies front-to-rear torque distribution depending on conditions, is equipped with a four-wheel electronic traction control system that provides grip even if just one wheel has it, and can allow an inside front wheel to rotate faster in turns.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 and S550 4Matic can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.

• The twin-turbocharged V-12 engine in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S600 swells to the beginning of its substantial torque peak at just 1,800 rpm.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S600 can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG is equipped with the first engine developed entirely by AMG, built almost entirely out of high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

• Each twin-turbo V-12 engine destined for installation in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is hand-assembled by a single technician, and includes a special plate signed by the person who built it.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG’s engine cover is made of deep-drawn aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

• The 2009 S550 and S600 are equipped with standard 18-inch wheels. The AMG models come with standard 20-inch wheels, and the S65 AMG was the first Mercedes-Benz to be fitted with standard 20-inch wheels from the factory.

• Auto-dimming mirrors contain a thin layer of corrosive electro-chromic liquid. Not just on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but on any car with auto-dimming mirrors.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is equipped with Pre-Safe technology, which, when sensors determine a crash is imminent, tightens the front seatbelts and adjusts any power-operated seats to an optimum position. If a rollover is occurring, the sunroof and side windows automatically close.

• If an accident occurs, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz is marked with instructions for rescue personnel, showing where they can safely cut into the heavily-reinforced roof and pillars.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is equipped with Tele Aid, an emergency calling system that can summon rescue personnel in the event of an accident severe enough to deploy and airbag or activate the emergency seatbelt tensioner. At the same time that a cellular connection is made to an operator, Tele Aid will transmit the car’s GPS coordinates.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can be equipped with Distronic Plus cruise control, which automatically maintains a safe distance behind traffic at “nearly all speeds up to 125 mph.”

• When equipped with Distronic Plus, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class’s brake assist system can automatically adjust brake pressure if the driver doesn’t put enough pressure on the brake pedal by determining the close rate on the slowing or stopped vehicle ahead. This Brake Assist Plus system, says Mercedes, can reduce rear collisions in heavy city traffic by 75 percent.

• When equipped with Distronic Plus, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes with a radar-based Park Distance Control system, which eliminates the need to have sensors placed in bumper “portholes.”

• New Park Assist technology for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can “scan” curbside parking spaces and determine if the car can fit in the space. If it can, a “P” symbol is displayed on the dashboard.

• Mercedes says the 2009 S-Class’s available Night View Assist system extends the driver’s ability to see ahead in the darkness to nearly 500 feet. Night View Assist “bathes the road ahead with invisible infra-red light from two projector beams mounted in the headlights.” Images are displayed on the 8-inch, high-resolution Comand screen in the dashboard, and resemble black-and-white video images.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can be equipped with Drive Dynamic front seats equipped with 11 pneumatic chambers to help find ideal comfort and 14 additional chambers to provide four levels of pulsating massage.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a slot in the dashboard that can accept an optional PCMCIA card, used to carry up to 1,500 songs. Song lists are displayed on the Comand screen, and can be browsed using the controls on the steering wheel.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can be equipped with an Active Body Control suspension system that automatically limits body roll, squat under acceleration, and dive when braking.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is equipped with pneumatic door and trunk close assists, meaning one never needs to slam a door to ensure that it is securely closed.

• When you buy a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550, you pay a $1,000 gas guzzler tax. The tax is higher on other models.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 has a drag coefficient of 0.27, while the S63 AMG and S65 AMG have drag coefficients of 0.30.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 weighs 4,465 pounds, while the S65 AMG weighs 5,035 pounds.

• The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a 16.3 cubic foot trunk.

• The 2009 S600 and S65 AMG are equipped with adaptive brake lights that flash rapidly under emergency braking.