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Cresting
the $100,000 price plateau changes the sedan landscape
dramatically. The elevated levels of luxury, comfort
and performance among members of this exclusive
club pale against the sheer magnitude of the well
heeled, I've-made-it image they project. A driverof
the aspirational machines can glance at the Porche
911 Carrera and the Lexus LS 430 on either side
at a traffic light and lament, why don't they get
these washing machines off the road? Sitting atop
the heap at BMW and Mercedes-Benz are sedans well
over the $100,000 mark: the 760 LI and the S600.
they are the cream of mainstream production automobiles.
 Mercedes-Benz
S600
Arriving in Mercedes showrooms this spring is the
totally redesigned 2007 S-Class, featuring the S600.
Using a puffed-up version of the previous S600’s
twin-turbo V12, horsepower is increased to 510.
The same five-speed automatic distributes power
to the rubber. Busting 60 mph from a standing stop
is in the five-second range. The transparent Distronic
Cruise Control is replaced with the Distronic Plus
system. Not only does it maintain a preset distance
from the car in front, it can bring the S600 to
a complete stop without driver input. Designed to
function in stop-and-go city traffic as well as
blistering Autobahn speeds, this system leaves little
for the driver to do but change the radio station
and provide some steering input.
Taking a page from the BMW playbook, Mercedes has
incorporated an iDrive-like system into the new
S-Class. Basic system controls can still be accessed
on the dashboard, but fine tuning requires accessing
the computer through the control located on the
lower center console. Virtually all options have
been integrated into the S600 as standard equipment.
Everything from an infrared night vision system
to a heated steering wheel is standard. Get it all
for $140,675.
 BMW
760LI
BMW
was roundly criticized for both the exterior styling
and the enigmatic iDrive computerized driver control
system when the redesigned 7-Series arrived in 2002.
Four years later, neither seem as objectionable.
The 760 Li is the extended-wheelbase, V12-powered
version of BMW’s flagship series. Delivering
the six-liter V12’s 438 horsepower to the
rear wheels is a six-speed automatic transmission.
Zero to 60 mph requires about 5.5 seconds. Stability
and traction control are elements of the anti-lock
brake system lurking behind 19-inch alloy wheels.
An adaptive ride system with self-leveling rear
suspension is standard.
The cabin is chock-full of all manner of high-end
goodies. A story in their own right, the leather-covered
seats can be heated or cooled. The front buckets
have 20-way power adjustments, while the rear seat
has 14-way adjustments. A DVD-based navigation system,
Bluetooth wireless access, dual-zone climate control, “keyless go,” and “softclose” trunk lid are all included in the package. One of
the few options is the DVD-based rear-seat entertainment
system with its own iDrive controller and trunk-mounted
six-disc DVD changer. With delivery and gas guzzler
penalty the total price of the 760 Li is $121,295.
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