The luxurious S-Class limousines have been produced since 1956. The presently offered S-Class model of its sixth generation was presented in the fall of 1998 in Paris. After four years, in 2002, it was slightly modernized, the range of engines refreshed, and the four-wheel 4Matic drive system introduced. The model is offered with a wide range of engines, among which are the 6-cylinder 3.2-liter 204 hp and the 4.0-liter 260 hp V8 diesel engines. Petrol units include a 3.7-liter 245 hp V6 engine, a 4.3-liter 278 hp V8 or a 5.0-liter 306 hp V8 unit, a 5.4-liter 500 hp V8 power plant developed by AMG, and a 5.5-liter 500 hp plant or its AMG-variant – a 6.0-liter 612 hp V12 unit. The S-Class model features pneumatic wheel suspension with variable clearance depending on the driving speed, and a system that detects obstacles in front of and behind the car. Beside the standard version, the producer also offers a version with a 12-centimeter longer wheelbase. At the beginning of 2005 in Detroit, a prototype of a hybrid S-Class model was presented, equipped with a 400 CDI V8 plant supported by an electric motor developing 70 hp.