WHEN the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class arrives in the showrooms next year, buyers will drive off in a luxury saloon packed with hi-techgear.

One of the most innovative is called Night View Assist. It does what it says, and is designed to cut the risk of accidents during night driving.

Two infra-red headlamps allow the driver to see around another 150 metres further ahead in the dark than from the light thrown by normal headlights on low beam. This means walkers, cyclists, animals, parked cars and any other obstacles become visible much earlier than with headlights alone.

An infra-red camera sitting on the inside of the windscreen records the reflected image and displays it on the instrument panel. The infra-red light, incidentally, is invisible to the human eye and cannot dazzle oncoming drivers.

Then there will be Brake Assist Plus, a system being introduced into the world of motoring safety for the first time. This system registers vehicles ahead by radar and gives a warning if the gap is too small or the closing speed too high. If a collision seems on the cards, the system calculates the braking assistance needed in fractions of a second and makes this available immediately, beating the driver to the brake. Following drivers are warned that the Merc S is slowing by the brake lights automatically flashing.

This braking system is combined with an equally unique passenger protection system known as Pre-Safe. This responds to the braking by increasing tensions on the seatbelts and inflates air cushions in the seats to envelop and support the driver and all the passengers. In addition, for the first time, the car's side windows are automatically closed when an accident threatens.

All this high technology works alongside the car's Distronic Plus, the radar-supported system that keeps the S-Class at the right distance from the vehicle ahead, and also a new parking assist system which also uses special radar sensors to warn the driver of any obstacle behind much earlier than before.

There are more innovations to enjoy: Comand which operates all the audio/television, navigation, telephone, climate and heating either by buttons on the steering wheel, or by switches on the centre console, crash-responsive head restraints, electronic parking brake, and a multi-contour seat with special back and side massaging function.

The new car will launch here with four engines - three petrol and one diesel - three of which are new, and all provide more power and torque. In addition to the 3.5-litre V6 engine with 272bhp (first seen in the SLK-Class), a new eight cylinder unit developing 388bhp and muscular 530Nm of torque from 2800rpm will be available, capable of taking the S500 model from standstill to 62.5mph in under 5.4-seconds.

There is a new V6 CDI engine, with a particulate filter as standard.This direct-injection engine has an output of 231bhp and provides a maximum torque of 540Nm from 1600rpm.

Output of the 12-cylinder engine in the flagship S600 has increased to 517bhp, while torque has increased by just under four per cent to 830Nm from 1900rpm. Both V6 and V8 engines are matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The four new models making up the range, the S350, S500, S320CDI and S600, replace a series that has proved to be the world's number one in the luxury class.

As far as dimensions are concerned, the new flagship offers two body lengths, 5076mm or 5206mm (the larger is also fitted with a panoramic sliding sunroof), which is 33mm and 43mm respectively, more than the previous model. The wheelbase has increased by 70mm and 80mm to 3035mm and 3165mm. The body is also 16mm wider and 29mm higher than before.

Prices will be announced closer to the springtime launch.

Dealer: Mercedes-Benz York, Centurion Park, Clifton Moor, York (01904 694000).

Updated: 11:11 Friday, July 29, 2005