The Mercedes- Maybach S 650: The Most Luxurious S-Class on the Market

The 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S650 is full of cutting-edge technology and is the most luxurious four-door auto offered by Mercedes-Benz, coming in at an MSRP of $198,700.


The Most Luxurious S-Class on the Market

The 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S650 is full of cutting-edge technology and is the most luxurious four-door auto offered by Mercedes-Benz, coming in at an MSRP of $198,700.  This year saw the Maybach undergo an exterior refresh, including a new front apron ringed in chrome, taillamps with the “Stardust” effect, and an extended body.

The Maybach S650 houses a handcrafted 6.0L V12 Biturbo engine with an output of 738 lb-ft of torque. Technology updates to the transmission, including two overdrive ratios, allow for enhanced highway fuel efficiency. 

MAGIC BODY CONTROL® ensures a proactive, fully-active suspension.  The camera-based Road Surface scan eyes the road ahead to prepare the suspension before the wheels make contact with any bumps or dips in the road.  The car can gently hug and lean into corners, much like a skiier on the slopes, thanks to its CURVE functionality. The technology reduces the force felt due to external conditions, providing each passenger with a luxury experience from every seat no matter the surroundings.

Bringing User Experience to the Highest Level

The Maybach’s most notable feature remains its elongated wheelbase, which sits nearly eight inches longer than its Mercedes-Benz S Class counterpart.

The S650 interior greets the driver with a fully digital cockpit, accented with topstitched Nappa leather, which is even included on the Maybach’s ceiling. Described as the contrast between “high-level sportiness” and “luxurious spaciousness”, the Maybach is the showcase of a luxury model. A pair of high-resolution widescreens display all virtual gauges, vital information, infotainment controls, and the realistic animations of driving systems provide an unparalleled user experience. Screens are now displayed behind a single piece of glass, resulting in a sleeker cosmetic appearance. For further user customization, approximately 300 LEDs bring a unique sense of environment to the cabin- all without the use of a single conventional lightbulb. Not only does this feature provide a unique aesthetic moment, but the lighting concept also promotes a safer and less stressful environment for all aboard the Maybach.

Determined to cut down on the headache of dealing with cables on the go, the ’18 model introduces wireless phone charging to the mix. Charging can be automatically initiated by laying a phone face up on the mat located in the center. Located in the center console, charging can be automatically initiated by laying a phone face up on the charging mat.

The Best Seat in the House

The Maybach returns one of the most comfortable backseat passenger experiences, making it the heart and soul of the model. The vehicle’s extra length increases rear seat legroom, allowing for full extension of the power-operated leg rests, and a rare spacious back-seat experience for passengers.

The rear compartment includes temperature controlled seats, built-in massage features that offer two modes with a “hot stone” treatment, heated armrests, and a two-screen entertainment system. Entertainment screens attached to the front seatbacks offer rear passengers their own set of infotainment controls, as well as individual sets of wireless headphones.

For those wanting to push the backseat options further, the Maybach offers individual seat arrangements, folding tray tables, and a refrigerated box for added luxury.

Targeting those who place value on impeccable luxury, Mercedes-Maybach sets the bar for “exclusivity and individuality”, celebrating the blend of luxury comfort and perfect craftsmanship, and the illuminated door sills serve to remind any who enter the vehicle, of the kind of luxury experience they’re about to embark on.

The Maybach has officially graced the Park Place Motorcars Dallas showroom floors, so if you have any questions or inquiries regarding the most luxurious Mercedes Sedan. 

Jaguar Celebrates the Original ‘Experimental Jaguar’ with the Limited Edition XJ50

After 50 years of making their flagship Sedan, Jaguar is celebrating half a century of tradition with the launch of the Jaguar XJ50.  On this limited edition, a passenger will note unique front and rear bumpers, as well as ‘purposeful’ 20-inch wheels with Gloss Black Diamond Turned Finish. Unique badging arms the rear and side vents, to accent four striking paint options include Fuji White, Santorini Black, Loire Blue, and Rosello Red.

The XJ50 remains true to its Jaguar core, representing the heritage of the XJ Sedan with a “balance of design, intelligent performance, and indulgent luxury”- according to Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design.  It’s a cornerstone of Jaguar design and it’s a model worth celebrating. Below we travel back to the beginning of the XJ legacy at the Paris Motor Show, to see what lead to the creation of a limited edition XJ.


The debut of the XJ

1968 XJ Series 1

1968 marks the year the Jaguar XJ debuted as an ‘eXperimental’ project for the luxury manufacturer at the Paris Motor show, and later named ‘Car of the Year’ by Car Magazine. Jaguars of the late 60’s, including the XJ6 Series 1, were marked with a low seat back because Sir Williams Lyons insisted that the top of the seats should never be seen above the belt line. This feature specification disappeared in the coming years, but still represented Lyons’ forward thinking mentality with Jaguar and specifically, the XJ.

 

XJC Series 2

Series 2 Launches

The Series 2 launched in 1973 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. While reminiscent of its predecessor, Jaguar now also offered the XJ in an exciting two-door coupe design. The designers took five years of learnings to implement key changes like a long, more luxurious wheelbase in the sedan versions, reserving the short wheelbase for the Coupe. Come 1977, the coupe was discontinued after reaching just over 10,000 units in completed production. 

A Classic Update

XJ Series 3

When it was almost time for a Series 3 model to launch, Jaguar looked outside their design circle for the restyling. The famous Italian house of Pininfarina delivered a classic update that brought instant acclaim to the Series 3. A new vertical bar radiator grille, a new roof, new door handles, and improvements to the interior helped propel the redesigned XJ to one of Jaguar’s most successful models.

February 1985

Despite retiring in 1972, the co-founder of Jaguar still maintained his presence in the styling studio. The last vehicle he had any influence over was the XJ40, which unmistakably resembled the ‘80s in its styling and featured a new rear suspension with double wishbones. Sir William Lyons, known as ‘Mr. Jaguar,’ passed away in his home in 1985.

Softer Shapes and Four Headlamps

In the early 1990s, the XJ40 was redesigned into the X300, which sported softer shapes and rounded headlamps on the front end- a trend starting to make its way back in the 90s. In 1994, the revised XJ6 went on sale and the curved headlamps made another welcome appearance.

Redefining Automobile History

When the new millennium hit, Jaguar braced for a fresh start producing XJ’s that looked and handled exceptionally well. The 2002 XJ was a first for the auto industry, inciting revolution by having most of the 2002 model’s parts made from aluminum. This resulted in lighter, stronger, and more agile vehicle serving up a dynamic driving experience.


50 Years later:

After years of redesigns and Jaguar XJ vision, 2018 still proves to welcome the likes of the XJ to the luxury market. The limited edition XJ-50 is a fitting tribute to the legacy and performance spanning over five decades of the Jaguar brand.

For more information on the history of the XJ, click here: https://www.jaguar.co.uk/about-jaguar/jaguar-stories/xj-heritage.html

2018 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Raises $750,000

Fundraiser Benefits Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s Efforts to Help Area Youth


In keeping with the “Sultan’s Soirée” theme, magic-filled The Hilton Anatole ballroom for the Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular event.

Bedazzled and bejeweled, the Texas Rangers largest fundraising event of the year featured a roaming snake charmer and an opportunity for a photo op with a camel. Wishes were granted as fans met their diamond heroes and bid on trips they’d only dreamed about their whole lives. But the biggest winners of the 2018 Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play are the kids that will benefit from the nearly $750,000 raised for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

 Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

 

“This was one of the most successful Triple Play events we’ve ever had,” said Karin Morris, executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “Demand for our exclusive experiences in the live auction was so strong that we were able to duplicate several of the trips to double the amount raised. Our Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, which was only a dream just a few years ago, is open and serving kids from across North Texas because of funds raised from previous years of the Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play.”

The event featured attendance by Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoyed unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and just chatting about baseball.

“We’re very proud to be associated with such a worthy cause,” said Gary Venner, general manager of Park Place Lexus Grapevine. “Seeing how the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has grown over the years, and all the great things they are doing for kids, makes this one of our favorite charitable events of the year.”

The highlight of the evening was the Rangers players competing against each other in a pair of hilarious game shows. This year’s competitions included the fan favorite Fielders Feud and Wheel of Fortune. The teams were made up of the following players: Fielders Feud: Infielders: Elvis Andrus, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Joey Gallo, and Jurickson Profar. Outfielders: Shin-Soo Choo, Delino DeShields, Nomar Mazara, and Ryan Rua. The infielders dominated Fielders Feud, emceed by Hall of Fame announcer Eric Nadel. The crowd roared with laughter at some of the players’ answers and the witty banter between them.

Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Fox Sports Southwest Field Reporter Emily Jones hosted Wheel of Fortune, which matched a trio of two-man teams against each other: Team #1 Tony Barnette and Jake Diekman; Team #2 Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin; Team #3 Doug Fister and Kevin Jepsen. Pitchers Fister and Jepsen were obviously on the same wavelength as they handily won Wheel of Fortune.

Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Among the items available for bidding in the live auction were a trip to Los Angeles to watch the Rangers play the Los Angeles Dodgers; a trip to Boston for the Rangers – Red Sox series at Fenway Park; a trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley aboard Rangers owner Neil Liebman’s private jet; and a five-day hunting and fishing trip to Argentina hosted by former Ranger All-Star Jim Kern.

In addition, the silent auction featured a Top Golf experience with Delino DeShields, on-field instruction and game-type experience hosted by Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister, private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive experiences. In addition, there were rare and unusual autographed memorabilia items from across the sports and entertainment worlds.


ABOUT THE TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL FOUNDATION: Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has invested more than $30 million in our community to help children through support of programs including the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, youth health and wellness programs like the just keep livin programs, educational programs such as the Richard Greene Scholars program, and support of the military and first responders and their families.

ABOUT PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS: Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

Jaguar’s First Ever SUV: The 2017 F-Pace

Introducing Jaguar’s first ever SUV, the NEW 2017 Jaguar F-Pace. This stunner captures Jaguars DNA of driving excitement in a visually appealing form, with plenty of room for five. The F-Pace gives the driver both legendary performance and stunning practicality with its distinctive road presence, spacious luxury interior, and stirring performance.

The F-Pace’s dynamic look combines sporty elegance with a muscular profile, a resting grille, and rounded hood. Its stiff body structure, low friction technologies, and right size proportions increase aerodynamics and down force. This is a beautiful SUV from front to back, whether you view it from the passenger side to the driver side. It looks like a work of art in motion even when it’s not moving.  The electronic power assisted steering software really makes this Jaguar, cat like on the road.

A tapered roof line along with the creases in the front and rear bumpers contribute to its striking pose and overall aerodynamics.   In the back seat, the 40-20-40 room/seat configuration and front folding seats offer plenty of flexibility to keep everyone comfortable and store items with ease.  On muddy, wet days, the load space floor can be flipped from durable carpet to an easy to clean rubberized surface.  Premium materials and pliant leathers create a luxurious interior that can be personalized with the available configurable interior mood lighting.

A high center console with sport command driving position helps keep the driver feeling confident and connected. The large windshield, the thin roof pillars, and panoramic glass roof provides excellent visibility and a wide open feel for everyone inside the F-Pace. Everything is extremely intuitive; long gone are the days of searching around for features just to see how they work.  The touch screen has a home button, allowing the passengers and driver to easily change controls from media, climate, and even the navigation system found in most F-Paces.

Jaguar engineers have created an SUV that has drivers anticipating the thrilling ride every time it growls to life and savoring it from start to finish. But if you’re more interested in the pragmatic side of the F-Pace, it also goes above and beyond in service with a best in class coverage that includes a 5 year or 60 thousand mile new vehicle limited warranty.  It also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance, 24 hour roadside assistance, and in control remote and protect.

If you are ready to experience a vehicle that breaks all the SUV molds, please stop by our Park Place Jaguar Plano dealership  or visit us online at ParkPlace.com.

 

McLaren Shows Off the Goods at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Can-Am glory days
This year McLaren is showing off the Can-Am side of its heritage, a lesser-known area of the British marque’s expertise. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, the team’s rear-winged marvels won so many back-to-back Can-Am championships, they’re still considered the winningest competitors in series history.

In honor of this heritance, the world’s second-oldest racing team brought a storied lineup to the festival, including Fittipaldi’s M23, the 1988 MP4/4, the 1998 MP4-13, and the MP423, which claimed the world championship in 2008. We also caught a glimpse of the F1 GT3 ‘road car’ that famously left its purpose-built betters in the dust in the 1995 24 hours of Le Mans contest.

Black McLaren P1 at Goodwood

2014 McLaren P1
Folks at Goodwood were further treated to a live preview of ‘McLaren P1‘ – the long-awaited progeny of the legendary F1 road car of ’90s fame. Products of the ‘NASA of the car world,’ McLaren supercars are always dressed to impress and the featured P1 was no exception. Under the hood, the car is clearly an engineering prodigy, boasting a twenty-first century combination of McLaren’s Formula 1 secret sauce with state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid technology.

Clearly, even the most horsepower-obsessed carmakers are feeling the fuel economy squeeze. No matter; at just over 900 brake horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, the supercar will have as much restraint as a rocket at liftoff. With a twin-turbo, nearly 4-liter V-8 paired with an electric motor designed in-house, the P1 will be a unique beast. Even the sensible electric components have been tweaked to enhance performance.

Britain’s most celebrated and mysterious auto maker put on a memorable show at the 2013 Festival of Speed. By the looks of the P1, we’re sure this masterpiece will be wildly fun to drive. The 2014 P1 will be a lovely addition to the list of the most impressive automobiles we’ve seen so far this century.

Jaguar Project 7 – The Goodwood Festival Wrap Up

What would a race spec F-Type look like? Jaguar is answering that with the new Project 7 concept car. The name comes from the brand’s 7 Le Mans wins between 1951 and 1990, and its design shares cues from the cars that delivered those victories.

With Jaguar banking on their racing heritage, it makes sense that the concept debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event itself was created to celebrate Britain’s racing history, bringing classic race cars to the estate housing the Goodwood Circuit and hill climb courses.

Jaguar-Project-7-500x258

Design
The overall look is somewhere between the current F-Type and the D-Type, a car that dominated Le Mans in the mid-50s.

The lightweight aluminum body gets a ring of carbon fiber aerodynamic enhancements running along the bottom edge. The tall rear diffuser is aided by a low fixed spoiler.

There’s still a full cabin, but the passenger’s seat has been replaced by a holder for a helmet and the windscreen has been shortened. The fabric top has also been jettisoned: in its place, a fairing with a built-in roll cage extends behind the driver’s head for better aerodynamics.

French racing blue was chosen instead of the expected British racing green; this color was the one most often used on the D-Type.

Performance
While it may be a concept, this is a fully-functional car. A retuned version of the supercharged V8 together with a freer-flowing ceramic-finished exhaust bring power output up to 550 hp and 502 lb-ft. of torque, which is 54 hp and 41 lb-ft. more than the production car. The suspension has been reworked, lowering the ride height by 10 mm and improving cornering ability.

Thanks to the lighter body, aerodynamic tweaks and more powerful engine, it can go from 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in 4.2 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph.

Will it be built?
A race spec car seems like a no-brainer with Jaguar’s return to sports cars, and most of the Project 7’s are practical for mass production. Whether or not features like the headrest fairing make it to production will depend on how well they mix with current homologation requirements.

You can drive part of Jaguar history. Visit your Park Place Jaguar dealership in DFW today to see the full line.

Post Author: dans.

The Key is in the Details: The ML63 AMG

2013 Mercedes ML

The 2013 ML63 AMG offers a beautiful synthesis between safety, function, speed and ability. This SUV is not only wonderfully styled with a sporty feel, but also offers immense comfort and luxury with sumptuous interiors to suit even the most discerning tastes, all while providing unparalleled performance and utility.

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML Performance

The sheer feel of the SUV is more solid and stable due to the use of advanced metals, as well as weight reduction, which allows the car to accelerate much more smoothly and quickly. Boasting a V8 engine, power is not sacrificed for fuel economy. The direct-injection engine provides roaring performance, while also easing one’s costs at the pump, improving the miles per gallon of the SUV significantly.

The sporty design is not a matter of appearances alone. The active damping and roll bars provide for far more stability in corners and allow for more speed and acceleration through turns. While sporty in nature, there is no need to sacrifice safety to get performance and luxury. The ML63 AMG received a 5-star safety rating, and it is equipped with the latest safety technology. This helps to give drivers and passengers the peace of mind that their family will be safe.

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML Interior2

Sports SUVs are notorious for riding somewhat rough at higher speeds, but the ML63 AMG has solved this issue using active engine mounts that adjust when the vehicle is running at faster speeds, leading to a smoother ride and easier handling around corners.

While the ML63 AMG is not only easy on the eyes and safe but it is one of the most aerodynamic and efficient SUVs available on the market today. Consumers won’t have to sacrifice comfort for such compact, superior performance. The interiors are custom designed from the highest quality materials and utilize the latest in infotainment technology which makes this SUV user-friendly, high tech and full of amenities as well.

The 7-speed transmission enables increased acceleration and improved fuel performance. The ride in this SUV is further smoothed through the use of the AirMatic suspension system. This provides an adjustable air suspension that can provide optimum performance depending on the specific road conditions. This SUV is also designed to be adaptable and provide the utmost utility. The SUV includes a terrain program that allows drivers to select the type of terrain they will be driving on to allow the vehicle to self-optimize for the best performance for the selected driving conditions.

The AMG engine provides for a smooth off-road experience, and the active stability management tools make it far easier to handle when cornering, making this an excellent performer for aggressive recreational driving. Perfectly suited to take the children to school or head out on an off-road adventure. This latest Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG SUV provides a smooth, high performance ride, great acceleration, superior handling and all the amenities one has come to expect from a luxury vehicle.

Find your Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV at Park Place Motorcars in Dallas, Grapevine, and Fort Worth.

Two New Luxury Crossovers That You Will Actually Want to be Seen In

2013 Porsche Cayenne

Check out the following 2013 debuts to find a cutting-edge luxury crossover for hauling groceries and kids by day and cruising downtown come nightfall.

Best All-Around Crossover: 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK

13-GLK_1006_st

If you like your COV to feel like an SUV, take the Mercedes GLK for a spin. A small SUV by North American standards, the Geländewagen defies the eggy shape of other crossovers with its signature SUV-like verticals. Its growling direct injection V6 and sports-tuned suspension guarantee there will be road muscle to back up your car’s devilish good looks inherited from the manufacturer’s full-size SUVs.

GLK has only been pounding the pavement since 2008, but has whipped up plenty of acclaim during its rookie run. Mercedes’ premium crossover has raised the bar for the whole segment by showing how to harmoniously layer agility, utility, safety, and top-drawer style.

It’s a bold claim in a competition-dense market, but Mercedes easily earns the badge with its choice GLK.

Driver’s Favorite: 2013 PORSCHE CAYENNE2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

 

 

Engineered to perfection, the midsize Cayenne crossover developed by Porsche is hot enough for a second look. 21″ rims, performance tread and adaptive sport seats are among the bragging rights that come with ownership of a new Porsche Cayenne. This year, the company is introducing a 29-mpg Diesel for the U.S., plus the chassis-optimized GTS for speed demons everywhere.

Cayenne’s reviewers say she handles like a dream. It seems Porsche had the right idea incorporating responsive design principles into each layer of the car’s hardware.

With standard all-wheel-drive, classic Porsche-style cockpit, nimble footwork and a smooth ride, the Cayenne has earned a reputation as one of the coolest CUVs around.

Guiding Luxury: Let the Lexus RX 350 Navigate While You Enjoy the Ride

2013 Lexus RX 350

Often, when a product comes to market that is pioneering, it tends to not change the game very much or it quickly falls out of its high position – regarded as a fad while rivals begin to improve the product’s ideas even further. At one point, the Lexus RX was a flavor-of-the-week idea that brought a new luxury SUV concept based on features and design. After a while, rivals created the crossover vehicle market, but the RX 350 managed to stay on top rather than be pushed aside; today, the 2013 Lexus RX 350 is still among the top of the pack as the best selling vehicle of all luxury crossovers.

RX350 Dallas

It definitely helps that the RX 350 comes with a great reputation and a customer base that is devoted to the model. The competition that the RX inspired has grown fierce, but the vehicle remains relevant, which is something that most other pioneers cannot say. With a high-class interior and a smooth ride, the RX focuses on pleasing the passengers within, while handling the rigors of the road.

As an added bonus, the inside of the RX comes with the latest technology features that are put together in a brilliantly intuitive manner. For example, the navigation system uses a mouse-like controller with the Lexus Remote Touch interface that offers tactile feedback. In addition to the updates on the Remote Touch system, the RX comes with a number of tweaks to styling that give it more of an aesthetic flair. Furthermore, the F Sport model gives a sport-tuned suspension and an eight-speed automatic transmission for added precision. However, this improved precision ride is a bit more firm. Those who do not mind a firm ride and want to get a little increased precision should look into the F Sport upgrade.

The standard equipment includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear privacy glass, foglamps, automatic headlamps, eight way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED running lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels and a leather wrapped power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. With the Premium package, the car will have a sunroof, a rear view camera, power-folding mirrors, roof rails and it will even remember drivers’ seating preferences.

2013 Lexus RX Leather Interior

As an added bonus, the Comfort and Navigation packages can be tacked onto the Premium package. In the case of the Comfort package, there are xenon headlamps, automatic wipers as well as ventilated and heated front seats. In the case of the Navigation package, it is possible to get a navigation system with controls, making the drive much easier while allowing passengers to focus on the quality of the ride.

The 2013 Lexus RX 350 is available at Park Place Lexus in Grapevine and Plano, TX.

When Technology Meets Class: Advanced Features Available on 2013 Mercedes-Benz Explained

2013 Mercedes S-Class

Mercedes-Benz’s S-class has always been a leader in technology, being the first to add subtle changes like rain gutters as well as technical leaps like traction and stability control. The tradition continues with the redesigned 2013 S-class.

Although it’s loaded with techno-wizardry, a lot of work has gone into making its use as easy and non-intrusive as possible. This means drivers and passengers alike can enjoy the car’s numerous features without them getting in the way of the traveling experience.

2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Active Parking Assist: Parallel Parking Can’t Get Easier

Thanks to the addition of steering control, Active Parking Assist can now park and leave parallel parking spaces with no driver intervention. Simply activate the system, and when it detects a parking space, come to stop and put the shifter in “Park:” The car does the rest. Come back later, and the car can do something no other competitor can do: drive the car backs out into the lane. Simply switch on the turn signal and shift into “Drive,” and the S-class will safely drive itself back onto the street. There’s no need to line up boxes on the navigation screen or steer as the system adjusts the throttle and brakes.

Distronic Plus: More than Cruise Control

Mercedes-Benz was the first company to introduce a radar-based cruise control system, automatically adjusting the car’s speed depending on the surrounding traffic. The same steering system, which enables automatic parking, can also help keep the car in the lane; making highway drives on some windy Texas roads less of a chore.

Stuck in a traffic jam? The system can also operate the car at low speeds, taking the annoyance out of driving through stop and go traffic.

Advanced Headlights: See More of the Road

The 2013 S-Class uses only LED lights, which means one less item that needs to be serviced. However, the real stars in this setup are the headlights. The high beams automatically adjust to aim light away from oncoming drivers, keeping them from being dazzled while maintaining visibility. Also, they change their aim to illuminate the road ahead no matter how tight the curve. If an obstacle like a pedestrian or a deer is detected, the lights can flash a spotlight at them to get the driver’s attention.

Smartphone Connectivity: Access the S-Class Anywhere

A new app available for iPhone and Android devices allows functions to be accessed remotely. Can’t remember where you parked? Fret not; the app can help you find your car. Don’t remember if you locked the doors? The locks can be operated remotely using the app.

Using Send2Benz, you can send route information from Google Maps directly from your computer or smartphone. Computer users can add a widget to copy any address and send it directly to the car’s navigation system.

mbrace PLUS: A Concierge at Your Fingertips

With mbrace PLUS, owners will get a concierge service accessible both from the car and through the app. Faced with an accident, unpredictable Texas weather or other catastrophe? The service can help there, too. Crisis Assist can help direct you away from closed roads and find emergency shelter.

Internet Integration for On the Go Planning

The COMAND infotainment system has greatly expanded Internet capabilities. Integrated social networking can help you plan meet-ups from your car. Google Local Search can be used not only to find locations, but also to call or navigate to them. Want to know where to dine in around Uptown? There’s integration with Yelp as well as a built in Zagat restaurant guide.

Top Quality Audio

The S-class comes standard with a harmon/kardon audio system designed specifically for the cabin’s acoustics, with 15 speakers and 600 watts to provide superb audio quality. Want something that will truly impress audiophiles? Buyers can get a system from Bang & Olufsen, the leaders in audio reproduction.

The Perfect Seat

Active Ventilated seats are standard, helping each passenger cool down, warm up or dry off quickly. Four zone climate control lets each passenger have their part of the cabin at just the right temperature to make them comfortable. Adjustable lumbar, shoulder and side supports give each seat a custom fit, giving the front seats a total of ten adjustments. Sound confusing? Don’t worry: Once everything is set up, the car remembers the position of everything from the side mirrors to the steering wheel angle, making driver changes a snap.

PRESAFE Plus: Preventing Accidents and Reducing Their Damage

The new system uses a series of sensors to identify possible collisions, whether it’s from the front, rear, or cross traffic at intersections. Not only can it apply the brakes, PRESAFE can adjust safety equipment inside the car to prepare for an impact. Is there someone in your blind spot? You’ll know thanks to indicators in the side mirrors, and should someone swing into that space, the car will pull it away to prevent an accident.

Visit Park Place Motorcars to learn more about Mercedes-Benz.