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Wednesday, April 14, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D5 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2000 Luxury car for the new millennium Road Worthy It was with a serious sense of history that Mercedes-Benz recently introduced the next generation S-Class sedans. Not only is the S-Class the great German automaker's flag­ ship passenger car, it is also the summation of everything that has gone before, stretching back to the very dawn of the creation of the automobile in the previous centu­ ry- Not only is this the first year 2000 car on the market, it is also the last car to be built by Daimler- Benz. The next vehi- _______ cle will be a product of Daimler-Chrysler. My test of the next generation S-Class (Model W220) start­ ed at the Daimler- Benz Classic shops in Stuttgart. In one hall, parked side-by-side, were all the great S- Class cars starting with the 1927 S that was followed by the SSK. All of these cars are kept in perfect running order. It is not ----------- so much pride that these Mercedes-Benz cars are on dis­ play, as with a sense of reverence. As the last Daimler-Benz, Jurgen Hubbert, a member of the D-B board responsible for passen­ ger cars, summed things up say­ ing: "decades ago, it was an S- Class that created the technically most discerning of all market seg­ ments. With the new S-Class we have the opportunity to defend our lead in this segment of the world market." For the year 2000, the S-Class is shortened by 75 mm but the interior is extended by 17 mm. But while it is slimmed down, the S-Class is still recognizable at a glance from across the parking lot. The unmistakable shape is one reason by people buy these cars. Night driving tips Tip#l: Look as far ahead as you can. If you can see an object that might present a hazard, assume that it will, and slow down until you are absolutely certain it is not a hazard. Keep your wind­ shield clean. A windshield that is dirty inside or out­ side causes glare, decreasing visibili­ ty. Windshield wipers that leave streaks or chatter across the wind­ shield also decrease visibility and should be replaced. Clean properly aligned headlights are also very important for identifying haz­ ards. Tip #2: Avoid over-driving your headlights. When an object becomes illuminated by your headlights, you should be driving slow enough to stop your car safely without hitting it. Tip #3: If a dri­ ver coming toward you is using high beams, flash your lights quickly with the dimmer switch. If the driver fails to dim the lights, look toward the right side of your lane. This will keep you from being blinded by the other car's headlights. You should be able to stay on course until the car passes. Tip #4: Don't drive tired. Fatigue diminishes respon­ siveness needed for safe night driving. If you absolutely have to drive tired, pull off the road, where it is safe to do so, and rest sev­ eral times during your trip. Remember, it's bet­ ter to arrive late and safe than not at all. 2000 M ercedes-Benz S-C lass JIM ROBINSON But what makes an S-Class special aren't the techno-toys but in how this car, when finished, is ______ more than the sum of its parts. The richness of the materials, from leathers and carpeting to steel and aluminum, reinforce the stature of the car that always seems one step ahead in applying leading-edge technology to enhanc­ ing the quality of dri­ ving. And while I stress the quality, there is no getting around the tech­ no wonders M-B has --------- lathered into the year 2000 S-Class ,which sports 30 innovations and 340 patent appli­ cations. Among the innovations are: AIRmatic suspension which is pneumatic in actuation and varies shock absorber action through an adaptive damping system; elec­ tronic stability control; full fibre optics for a host of functions; and rain sensors that knows how much rain is falling on the windshield and adjusts wiper speed accord­ ingly. This car positively bristles with wonderful techno firsts. I think everyone's favorite will be the Comand system that controls the car radio, sound system, and on­ board navigation system with one control. With an integrated keypad for the cellular phone, Comand sits in the centre of the console. The navsystem is so precise it can (and it did for me) guide the driver through urban side streets or coun­ try lanes. I covered several hun­ dred kilometres through mountain roads and downtown Zurich rush- hour traffic without ever consult­ ing a map. In fact, Mercedes-Benz purposely didn't supply us with maps so as to prove how effective Comand is. Coming in the middle of next year will be something called Distronic that I will personally love on Hwy. 401. It is an intelli­ gent cruise control system that can sense when you are closing on a car and apply up to 20 per cent braking. Of course the driver is supposed to be in control, but Distronic acts as a warning sys­ tem, especially for those jerks who swing across three lanes of traffic. Linguatronic is Mercedes- Benz's faultless voice Comand for cellphones. You don't have to yell or repeat words with this system. Parktronic is an ultrasonic parking aid. As you back in or nose into a parking spot, the sen­ sors can detect curbs and other obstructions and sound a tone. I could go on and on for a few more pages, but suffice it to say, the S-Class leaves no option out. The main thing is all the technolo­ gy delivers what is promised. There are three engine versions of the S-Class, but North America will only get two of them, a 3.2- litre V6 version not being offered. Canada gets a choice of two V8s, a diesel version being several years off yet. In terms of the vehicle types Canada will get a long and standard wheelbase version with 4.3-litre V8 (297 hp) and the long wheelbase version of the car with 5.0-litre V8 (306 hpj.The difference between long and short wheelbase is 12 mm. The U.S. gets only long wheelbase cars. With five-speed electronic adaptive automatic the 4.3-litre can accelerate from 0-100 kmh in 7.3 seconds. The other car we will get is the long wheel­ base car with 5.0-litre V8 making 306 hp. The 0-100 kmh acceleration time is 6.5 seconds. That's pretty quick considering this car has an unladen weight of 1,855 kgs. < y </> Emission Service M aintains optimum perform ance, fuel efficiency and cleaner emmisions. / Removes varnish, sludge and contaminants from inside engine / Removes condensation from fuel system and cleans injectors / Includes emission cleaning kit / Lube, Oil and Filter > a* 05 Value Price (not applicable to all models) < / ) A u d i Oakville Volkswagen 5 5 7 K E R R S T R E E T (9 0 5 ) 8 4 4 -3 2 8 5 The 4-wheel ventilated ABS disc brakes will bring you to a satisfying halt. As will the price. Get more for less. Kerr cares. 1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT MONTANA White, extended, alloy, fully loaded, traction control, only 42,000kms. $ i *PST, GST, license & administration extra. 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Red. fully loaded. 4-door, alloy rims, balance of factory warranty, only 30.000kms*20,995' 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE Blue auto, air. power windows & door locks, cruise, cass . ABS & more Low "*■* *14,995' 1998 PONTIAC ■ ^ G R A N D A M White, auto, air, cass., V6, ABS, dual airbags, balance of factory warranty, low mileage. *16,995* See our website: w ww .kerrcadillac.com SOUTH SERVICE RD. W. £ The 1999 Lexus GS 300. Nicely equipped from $59,220' Walking around the stunning GS 300 performance sedan in our showroom, many customers put on the brakes at the rear window. It's hard to believe that a high performance sedan like this, with its menacing stance and dramatic headlight configuration is available at this price Especially considering it's a Lexus. The numbers just don t add up: A 3.0 litre inline 6 with 225 hp and 0-60 in 7.6 seconds for this number? Their surprise grows, of course, when they learn of standard features like Variable Valve Timing and Vehicle Skid Control. (One feature electronically maximizes power, the other does the same for braking.) HID headlamps, 3 times brighter than halogen, a S-speed electronic transmission, dual front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioners are also included, as is a sumptuous leather interior with lacquered walnut trim. We invite you to come in and take a walk around the exciting Lexus GS 300 yourself. Just be carelul when you come to that rear window. T h e R e l e n t l e s s P u r s u i t O f P e r f e c t i o n . Based on a 36 month lease at 3.9% of a new GS300 "B" package from TCCI on approved credit with a downpayment or trade in of $7,500.00. Kilometre limit: 24 ,000 km/year (excess @.15/km). Refundable security deposit of $800.00 required. All taxes, freight, pdi, license, registration and insurance are extra. Offer expires April 30,1999. Erin Park 2 L E X U S TO Y O TA Your Exclusive Lexus Dealer for Oakville, Brampton, Burlington t Mississauga ERIN MILLS AUTO CENTRE 111 Motorway Blvd.Mississaug, Call Us For More Details at (905) 828-7711 www.lexus-toyota.com 1 Xo zo W OO DC HE ST ER 00% I N M IL LS P KW Y | MOTORWAY t ] E 3 z DUNOAS cc Q.E.W. i 'S DRIVE CLEAN A new emission testing program ::, WiM ••• ' ' :i -7 tT 7 Don't Open Your Hood To Strangers. BRING IT HOME TO OAKVILLE H O N D 191 W YECROFT ROAD OAKVILLE (905) 844-9831 www.oakvillehonda.com U H O N D A BUILT WITHOUT COMPROMISE Will your vehicle have to pass a drive clean test this year? DRIVING CLEAN FOR THE AIR WE BREATHE We all can play a part to help combat smog. Since one of the major causes of smog is emis­ sions from our vehicles, we can do our part by ensuring we're driving clean! Y ou've head of "passing a safe­ ty" to make sure your vehicle is fit for the road. Starting in 1999 there's a new test your vehicle may have to pass every two years to make sure it is also fit for the air we breathe. If s called an emissions test and if s part o f Ontario's Drive d e a n program announced by Environment Minister Norm Steding to help fight smog. 'T he Chive d e a n program is a major step forward in achieving cleaner air in Ontario," said the minister. "Keeping our vehicles properly maintained will be good for the environ­ ment, our health ami even the vehicles themselves." Smog is a problem in many urban areas with a large number of motor­ ized vehicles. It is linked to the rise o f respiratory ailments, especially among children. Cars, trucks and buses are the single largest source of smog-causing pollutants in Ontario. An emissions test costing a maximum of $30 will be required every two years to renew your vehicle licence plate or when­ ever you deride to change ownership, usu­ ally when the vehicle is sold. A pass means your vehicle meets the emissions standards for its make and model year. If your vehicle fails the test you have to have the problem repaired and return for a retest But whether or not your vehicle is actually covered under the Drive d ea n pro­ gram depends on where you live and the age of your vehicle. When renewing a vehicle registration. that are more than three years old and less than 20. For an ownership transfer where a safety certificate is required, however, the test applies to all vehicles less than 20 years old Starting in April 1999, the Drive d ean test is mandatory in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton-Wentworth Region. Then, in January 2001, Drive d ean expands to 13 other high smog urban zones in south­ ern Ontario. You'll know for sure if any one of the vehicles you own has to be tested if you get a notice in the mail about 90 days before the licence plate renewal date (your birthday!) Since the test cycle alternates from year to year between odd and even model- year vehicles, it will take four years for Drive d e a n to become fully opera­ tional in all program areas. By the end of 2003, some 4 5 mil­ lion cars, sp a t utility vehicles, pickup tracks and vans will have gone through a Drive d ean facility at least once. As this is going on, the environment ministiy's Smog Patrol will step up its on­ road enforcement of pulling over visible pol­ luting vehicles, especially heavy duty trades. The Drive d ean program is adminis­ tered by the Ministry of the Environment and will be dosdy monitored to ensure that it is both fair and effective. With full imple­ mentation, it will help cut smog-causing pol­ lutants from vehides by up to 22 per cent in the program area. In the aid, we'll all bene­ fit from Ontario's Drive d ean program, because we'll be doing something positive for the air we breathe. C ONTARIO'S DRIVE CLEAN LOCKWOOD C H R Y S L E R Bring us your vehicle for emission testing & repair. Com plete Drive Clean Testing & Repair Facility For an appointment call 845-6653 175 W YECROFT R O AD * an official mark of the Province of Ontario used under licence. Be sure to check out next week's auto section to find out more about this new mandatory program. Accredited Test & Repair ONTARIO DRIVE CLEAN FACILITY Call for an appointment G l e n l e v e n C h r y s l e r P L Y M O U T H • J E E P • D ( ) D ( i E T R U C K S 2388 R o y a l W in d s o r D r iv e , O a k v il l e • 905-845-7575 CC op yr ig hl i http://www.kerrcadillac.com http://www.lexus-toyota.com http://www.oakvillehonda.com