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  3. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  4. VIII (W220)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) gallery (1998–2005)

Eighth generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220), produced from 1998 to 2005 featuring standard Airmatic suspension and sleeker proportions.

All photos 1765 I (W187) 0 1951–1955 II (W180/W128) 0 1954–1959 III (W111/W112) 0 1959–1971 IV (W108/W109) 0 1965–1972 V (W116) 0 1972–1980 VI (W126) 98 1979–1991 VII (W140) 18 1991–1998 VIII (W220) 30 1998–2005 IX (W221) 181 2005–2013 X (W222) 1300 2013–2020 XI (W223) 104 2020
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220), sedan, grey, front three-quarter view — photo 14704 1600 x 1200 64 S 65 AMG
sedan A dark grey full-size executive sedan shown from a front three-quarter angle parked in front of a modern building.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220), sedan, grey, rear three-quarter view — photo 14703 1600 x 1200 64 S 65 AMG
sedan A dark grey full-size sedan captured in a rear three-quarter view parked outside a modern light-colored building.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220), sedan, black, front three-quarter view — photo 14702 1600 x 1200 56 S 65 AMG
sedan A dark metallic luxury sedan on alloy wheels parked on a paved lot, with a silver coupe visible in the background.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14701 1600 x 1200 65 S 65 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14700 1600 x 1200 61 S 65 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14699 800 x 600 54 S 65 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14659 800 x 600 61 S 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14658 800 x 600 54 S 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14657 800 x 600 60 S 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14656 800 x 600 51 S 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14655 800 x 600 61 S 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 14654 800 x 600 50 S 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 11218 1600 x 1200 86 S500 4Matic
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 11217 1600 x 1200 84 S500 4Matic
Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIII (W220) photo 11216 1600 x 1200 95 S500 4Matic

The eighth-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) launched at the Paris Motor Show in autumn 1998. Designed to present a leaner and more futuristic silhouette than the W140, the W220 shed over 300 kilograms while reducing aerodynamic drag to Cx = 0.27. Offered in standard (W220) and long-wheelbase (V220) sedan bodies, the model brought standard AIRMATIC air suspension with Adaptive Damping System (ADS) and debuted Mercedes' PRE-SAFE predictive occupant protection in 2002.

Engine options included M112 V6 and M113 V8 gasoline units, a 500 hp 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 (M275) in the S 600, and torque-rich CDI turbodiesels (S 320 CDI, S 400 CDI V8). The W220 was the first S-Class to offer optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive and Active Body Control (ABC) hydraulic suspension. AMG models peaked with the supercharged S 55 AMG (500 hp) and the twin-turbo V12 S 65 AMG producing 612 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. A 2002 facelift updated clear-glass headlamps, front apron styling, and COMAND navigation screens.