First sighting of Mercedes S-Class stretched limo

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz is said to be preparing a stretched version of its next-generation S-Class limousine for wealthy customers who want more rear legroom.

The new long-wheelbase model has been extended by between 13cm and 15cm, according to Germany’s auto-zeitung journal. It said the car had been snapped by a photographer during a secret testing session in Scandinavia.

The S-Class became the top-of-the-range model for the Mercedes group after it dropped the superluxury Maybach marque following poor sales.

The standard, short version of the new S-Class is set to go on sale in 2013, with the long-wheelbase variant expected to be introduced later in the year, or early 2014.

The new S-Class features a host of innovations, including numerous safety assistants and an on-board camera system that identifies potholes and adjusts the suspension automatically to ensure maximum passenger comfort.

- Sapa-DPA