New S-Class (W222) Engine Bay Fire

[KillerHERTZ]

A brand new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was declared a total loss after a fire ignited in the engine department.

Well this is unexpected. A new S-Class bought just two weeks ago suffered some serious damages caused by a fire which started in the engine area. The car - believed to be an S350 Bluetec - belongs to a retired couple from North Rhine-Westphalia who while driving on the Ulrich Stöckl road noticed there was something wrong with the vehicle and pulled over.

The engine department caught fire and was mostly put out by employees of a nearby company as well as by some bystanders. The fire brigade consisting of 18 people and three vehicles arrived on scene but it was too late for the flagship sedan due to extensive damages under the hood. The front wheels also had to suffer and a lot of smoke penetrated the cabin.

 

[Conquistador]

Ouch! Lets hope for (MB's sake) that this is an isolated incident.

 

[Harrythedog]

Is it my eyes are has the centre of the bonnet burnt away completely?

 

[PXW]

Is it my eyes are has the centre of the bonnet burnt away completely?

Think so. Is it an aluminium panel on this model? If so, the melting points isn't that high.

 

[Conquistador]

Yep, the W222 has an aluminium body, and aluminium melting point is 600°C

 

[V12]

Cause?

ATF/PAS pipe? Seems to be an issue with more recent MBs.

 

[Ten elena]

Have a suspicion the retired couple will not be buying Mercedes again...

 

[gIzzE]

I would hope they would be 'given' one after that!!

 

[mr. shr]

Yeah, well, I still want one.

 

[gr1nch]

Anyone know if there have been any more W222 engine fires, or could this be chalked up as a true one-off incident?
If all goes to plan I'll be a W222 owner in March, hence the interest

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