There must be a message in what MB is doing. They know performance. It is highly likely that the new 7 speed autos will out perform manual transmissions and this is the beginning of the end for manual transmissions.

 

It could be. Or, it could be that automatics are universally considered more luxurious than manuals and MB automatically assume that anyone who pays for a luxury car will immediately want an automatic.

The kind of person who buys an AMG-tuned S600 is usually in their 50s and the last thing they want to do is sit there pumping the gearbox.