BEAUTIFUL BEAST; Mercedes-Benz packs the S600 with plenty of power and panache.(Auto File)

Even with almost 5000 pounds at the curb, the Mercedes-Benz S600 uses every one of its 510 stout horses and all 612 lb-ft of V12 propulsion to rocket down the drag strip in near-sports-car time. And its brakes are up to the task of reining in all that beastliness in world-class fashion. There's no confusing the S600 for a Porsche, however, at least from behind the wheel-or even from the back seat. Mercedes has given its big sedan a luxury-car makeover worthy of its big-bucks price, packing as many qualities and goodies as one might expect of a car costing close to $150,000. ...