The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has not changed substantially since the current generation was launched for the 2007 model year.

The S-Class design features exaggerated fender flares front and rear, an upright grille, headlamps and tail lamps, the latter with thick body-colored horizontal bars running through them and tied together by a lower body molding. The decklid opening is not contained within the rear fenders, but instead extends out to the side of the body, with a distinctly raised position that looks a bit like the rear end of a 7 Series BMW. That was done for exactly the same aerodynamic reasons as on the BMW, to give the air rushing over the long, long roof panel a good place to separate cleanly from the body without excessive drag. A side benefit is a huge trunk opening for easy loading.

To keep weight down, the hood, decklid, door skins, and much of the door interiors are made of aluminum alloys, while the main body shell is made of high-strength steel.

A wide variety of wheel designs and sizes is available to suit each model, with a number of optional wheel and tire combinations. New for 2009 are the S550?s 18-inch rims with seven twin spokes, replacing last year?s nine-single-spoke motif. Nineteen-inch wheels are optional, with either nine double spokes or (as part of the AMG package) a star-like five spokes; both come with 255/40R19 front and 275/40R19 rear tires. The S600 starts with a beautiful five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheel with 255/45R18 front and 275/45R18 rear tires; a new 19-inch nine-twin-spoke alloy wheel is available for the staggered 255/40-275/40 tire combination. Those looking for a more aggressive style may wish to add the optional AMG Sport package and get the big AMG wheels, a revised front bumper with lower intakes and lamps, a restyled rear bumper, exaggerated side sills, and twin dual-outlet chrome exhaust tips.