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Mercedes Benz has revealed the all-new S-Class ahead of its on sale date in spring 2006. The current S-Class has been around since 1998 and will be eight years old when it is replaced next year, by which time more than 500,000 will have been sold.

The new S-Class is longer, wider and taller than the current model. And significantly, the wheelbase is a huge 70mm longer, which should result in masses of cabin space. Indeed, Mercedes claims that head, shoulder and legroom are all increased on the new car, which will be launched in long and short-wheelbase guise.

Wheel arches echo those of the Maybach

The official pictures reveal a car with very dramatic styling, especially around the enormously swollen wheelarches. The side profile has also gained a much more rakish look in keeping with other more recent Mercs such as E and C-class. Indeed, the new S-Class's styling already makes the current car look quite dated, much in the way current 7-Series did to the previous model.

As well as moving the bar from a styling standpoint, the new S-Class also majors on technical innovation, especially on the safety front. Prices have yet to be revealed, but we'd expect a reasonably healthy increase across the board for this all-new Merc.