Bold cars deserve bold statements, so here's one. The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is without question the most outstanding vehicle ever produced. No vehicle comes close to the safety, comfort and performance of the ninth generation S-Class Mercedes flagship sedan.

Completely redesigned, the technology in the new Mercedes-Benz flagship is not only impressive, it features seamless integration in order to enhance the driving experience, increase safety and add to the comfort level of the driver and passengers.

The 2007 S-Class sedan is 1.7 inches longer, almost an inch wider and more than three inches longer in wheelbase over the previous model. The S550 is powered by the new M273 5.5-liter V-8 engine and mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

While the new S-Class is loaded with bells and whistles, Mercedes got it right in designing a complex, sophisticated vehicle that is simple to use. It takes less than two minutes, without any instruction, to figure out all the controls. That includes executing commands for the climate control, audio, seats and navigation systems.

The interior is absolutely fantastic. It also features a new COMAND system now positioned high in the dash at the same height as the primary instruments and operated by an intuitive controller on the lower center console. Utilizing Mercedes' new radar-based assistance systems, the vehicle has the ability to detect when an accident is likely to occur and within milliseconds, activate safety systems.

In a controlled test, drivers were instructed to drive directly at an object placed in the center of the lane. Using both short- and long-range radar, the Brake Assist PLUS system takes into account distance from the vehicle (or object ahead) and relative speed of the vehicle. In milliseconds, it can calculate the distance needed for braking in order to avoid collision. If the driver fails to react, the system alerts the driver by a series of chimes. Once the driver applies the brakes, Brake Assist PLUS can provide additional emergency braking that helps avoid collision.

The short- and long-range radar systems now provide the opportunity for a stop-go cruise control. It seems unbelievable, but it really works. In this system, the driver can set the cruise control at a desired speed (just like normal). Like other adaptive cruise control systems, the vehicle maintains set speed until it encounters a slower moving vehicle in the lane ahead, in which case it slows to that vehicle's speed until the driver can pull out into an open lane and resume the set speed. What makes this system different is that it works in stop-and-go driving normally encountered in rush-hour situations.

If the vehicle in the lane ahead slows, it slows. If the vehicle in the lane ahead stops, it stops - automatically - without having to hit the brakes or turn off the cruise. When the vehicle ahead begins moving again, the driver toggles the cruise control switch and the car begins moving. It is an amazing system.

The system also features radar-assisted parking. Not only can it detect objects behind the car when backing up (and provide a visual warning on the center console display), the monitor also projects guidelines on the monitor to assist in parallel parking.