Still On Top: Mercedes-Benz S-Class Outsells Competitors Last Month

Despite the fact that it’s now a six year old design, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is still outselling its rivals in Canada – at least according to February 2011 sales.

Audi is probably none too pleased that its recent jab at the S-Class is apparently not working to boost the newly redesigned A8′s sales.

Meanwhile, BMW doesn’t have a whole lot to be upset about as the 7-series was the second best selling full-sized luxury car last month in Canada and was the best selling unit in its class in the United States last month.

Hyundai’s venture into this very competitive market also turned out to be decent, but decent is relative. They only sold eight Equus sedans, but that’s double of what they sold the month before.

Here are the number of units sold in Canada in February 2011:

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (includes CL sales): 38

BMW 7-series: 21

Audi A8: 13

Jaguar XJ: 11

Lexus LS: 10

Hyundai Equus: 8

[Auto News Data Center]

Audi Goes After Mercedes-Benz…Again

Audi is starting to act a lot like Stephen Harper. Just attack your competition rather than letting your product speak for itself.

Audi has taken several jabs at BMW over the past year to which BMW has responded to, but ultimately BMW has stopped responding to the prodding. Which is just as well. As entertaining as ad wars are, it does get old every now and then. Apparently Audi doesn’t know when to stop though.

They’ve also taken digs at Lexus and recently, they’ve turned their attention to Mercedes-Benz. Their last jab was in this ad.

But the latest jab targets Mercedes-Benz only insinuating that Benz’s are full of old non-innovative technologies, referring to the current S-Class. Audi is of course comparing it to their newly redesigned A8. Much like GM’s tig at an older Hyundai (posted below) this is a bit of an unfair fight. Of course the new A8 will have more new technology than an old S-Class design. When the redesigned S-Class comes out, then you can compare them, but until then this just seems like an unfair fight.

All these attack ads of late kind of make Audi seem like the bully of the sport luxury car world. You make great cars Audi. Let your products to the fighting for you.

[Youtube]

Hybrid Only S-Class Line Up Will Include AMG Versions

Last week we reported that Mercedes-Benz had decided to make the flagship of their lineup, the S-Class, hybrid only meaning every single trim level offered would be a hybrid.

Mercedes-Benz assured us that the only exception would be the high performance AMG version. It was expected to stay gas only but apparently that is not the case.

Automotive News is reporting that the AMG version of the S-Class will indeed by hybridized. If true, this will mark the first time that an AMG Mercedes will be a hybrid. It could also set precedent for future AMG Benz’s as well.

On the flip side, Automotive News has reported that some Mercedes-Benz dealerships aren’t happy with the idea saying that most S-Class drivers are interested in performance, not fuel economy.

True, if you are going to buy an S-Class, efficiency is likely not at the top of your priority list, but if Mercedes can somehow maintain AMG performance with added efficiency, isn’t that just a bonus? BMW has some ideas up its sleeve on how to acheive performance and efficiency, so if they can do it, you can be assured that Mercedes-Benz will try too.

Next Generation S-Class Will Be Hybrid Only

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is actually serious about meeting CAFE standards and not paying any more fines anymore.

The next iteration of the benchmark setting S-Class is expected to switch up its game under the hood and go hybrid only. At least for the U.S. This would likely mean the same fate for the new S-Class in Canada as well.

Apparently S400 hybrid sales are currently doing so well that it seemed only logical to hybridize the S-Class lineup. The S400 hybrid has a 3.5-liter V6  for 295 horsepower along with a mild electric motor assist. This is good enough to get the big heavy executive sedan 9L/100 kms combined. Not bad considering the gas version of the S550 get a 15.8L/100 kms city rating.

There will be one exception to the hybrid only rule being enforced on the S-Class however. AMG versions are expected to keep performance purists happy as they will stay gas only and deliver the same or better numbers that we are all used too. Except for mileage that is. The AMG S-Class currently gets 19.3 L/100 kms city. Yikes.