WELL, TO BE PRECISE, they claim the new S-Class “underpins” their claim to produce the best automobile in the world in a statement released by Markus Schäfer, member of the Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Boards of Management for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO.
But however you cut it, that’s a big call.
The seventh generation of the world’s best-selling luxury saloon, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, has arrived in Australia packed with standard-setting features and luxurious appointments befitting its lofty price close to a quarter of a million dollars for the S 450 4MATIC while the long-wheelbase S 450 L 4MATIC will go on sale in Australia from $264,900 (plus on road costs).
Known by its current nomenclature since the 1970s, the S-Class embodies the company’s pursuit of automotive perfection by bringing standard-setting innovation to the market with each new iteration.
“For our customers, the S-Class has always stood for the ultimate in automotive luxury,” says Britta Seeger, member of the Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Boards of Management for Sales. “This also encompasses innovations that make their life easier and safer, while also saving time. It is precisely in these areas where the new S-Class sets standards: for safety and comfort.”
Setting the standard
Where the Mercedes-Benz S-Class innovates, the automotive industry inevitably follows (as, indeed, do lesser models in the Mercedes-Benz line-up). Some of the standard-setting features of the new seventh-generation S-Class:
Second-generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience): With brilliant displays on up to five large screens, in part with OLED technology, control of vehicle and comfort functions is easier than ever. Options for personalisation and intuitive operation are more extensive, for both rear-seat passengers and also the driver. The voice assistant “Hey Mercedes” is available on every seat, while certain actions – such as accepting a phone call – can be performed even without reciting the keyword.
Augmented reality head-up display: The S-Class is equipped with a head-up display as standard, and a larger, AR-HUD is optionally available. The latter projects a particularly substantial image that appears virtually on the road ahead at a distance of 10 metres. For the driver, this blends into the surroundings ahead of the vehicle, and can contribute to further reduced distraction. When navigating, for example, animated turn-off arrows are virtually and precisely projected onto the road lane. The image-forming unit consists of a high-resolution matrix of 1.3 million individual mirrors and a highly efficient light source. The technology is also used by projectors in cinemas.
New central display: The visual highlight in the interior is the large central display featuring OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology. Positioned in portrait format, it is within easy touch and vision between the driver and front passenger and also allows longer lists to be displayed. At the touch of a button, it is possible for the driver to switch to a 3D mode, achieved with the help of eye-tracking via two integrated cameras. The image in the driver display is continuously adjusted to offer the sensation of depth, without special glasses. The appearance of the driver display and central display screens can be individualised with a choice of four display styles (Discreet, Sporty, Exclusive, Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).
MBUX Interior Assist: Using cameras in the overhead control panel and learning algorithms, the S-Class recognises and anticipates the wishes and intentions of the occupants. It does this by interpreting head direction, hand movements and body language, and responds with corresponding vehicle functions. For example, if the driver looks over his/her shoulder towards the rear window, Interior Assist automatically opens the sunblind. If the driver is looking for something on the front passenger seat in the dark, it automatically switches the light on. Natural hand movements are also recognised, allowing the driver or passengers to open the sliding sunroof with a gesture. Cameras and face recognition are also used for a range of assistance and comfort functions including the new biometric authentication, drowsiness detection by ATTENTION ASSIST, and settings for the exterior mirrors.
Active ambient lighting (optional): This supplements standard ambient lighting with an additional layer of light. With around 250 LEDs, it is integrated into the driving assistance systems, and is able to reinforce warnings visually. In addition, visual feedback is possible when operating the climate control system or the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant.
Driving Assistance Package: The fifth generation has new and numerous improved functions, such as intelligent compliance with speed limits. A new assistance display clearly shows the operating principle of the driving assistance systems as a full-screen view when selected.
Rear airbag: During severe frontal collisions, a rear airbag (standard on long wheelbase models) can considerably reduce loads on the head and neck of seat-belt-wearing occupants in the outer rear seats. This frontal airbag for the rear seat deploys particularly gently, thanks to innovative construction using a tubular structure.
Rear-axle steering (optional): The new S-Class can be as manoeuvrable as a compact car in the city. The steering angle at the rear axle is up to 10 degrees, reducing the turning circle by as much as two metres to less than 10.9 metres.
DIGITAL LIGHT (optional): The revolutionary headlamp technology allows completely new functions. In each headlamp, DIGITAL LIGHT has a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors. The resolution is therefore more than 2.6 million pixels per vehicle, and the projection range on full high-beam is 150 metres longer compared to MULTIBEAM LED.
Rear-seat infotainment: Passengers in the rear can enjoy the same extensive infotainment and comfort features as the driver and front passenger via two 11.6-inch displays (optional) with touch controls on the rear of the front seat backrests. An MBUX rear tablet is also optionally available and as a fully-fledged tablet, can be used outside the vehicle. Screen content can be quickly and easily shared with other passengers, and selection and amendment of navigation destinations is possible from the rear seats.
Personalisation: A personal profile can be created directly in the S-Class and synchronised with the existing profile data of the Mercedes me account. Personal preferences such as a favourite radio station and preselected settings can be transferred to any seat via the personal Mercedes me profile. Up to seven different profiles with around 800 parameters are possible in the vehicle. The driver can activate a personal profile using fingerprint recognition as standard.
Seats: Up to 19 motors in the front seats indicates the complexity of the technology installed. (Keep this in mind if you are tempted to buy a secondhand S-Class in a few years’ time.) Ten different massage programmes are optionally available in the new S-Class. These use the vibration motors, and can enhance the effect of a relaxing massage with warmth on the hot-stone principle. To this end, the seat heating is combined with the inflatable air chambers in the active multi-contour seats. Five different rear seat variants make it possible to configure the rear of the S-Class as a working or rest area.
ENERGIZING package (optional): At the touch of a button or by voice command, ENERGIZING Comfort provides a tangible experience of the different comfort systems in the S-Class. For example, invigorating in case of monotonous stretches of road, or relaxing in case of an elevated stress level. The ENERGIZING COACH even suggests an appropriate vitalisation or wellness programme based on vehicle and trip data. It also factors information about sleep quality and stress levels into its intelligent algorithm if the driver has a suitable wearable.
Flush-mounted door handles: These are electrically extended when the driver approaches, or the outer surface of the door handle is stroked (is it just us, or is there something vaguely pornographic about this?). The door handles are retracted when not in use and when travelling, and are flush with the door. If the door is to be opened, the handle is extended to its operating position in a parallel movement. Compared to pivoting door handles, a handle extending in parallel offers a much larger area of purchase and can be gripped with the whole hand.
An even more powerful presence
With a short front overhang, a long wheelbase and a balanced rear overhang, the S-Class is designed as a classical saloon with perfect proportions. The wide track and flush-mounted wheels with modern designs give the vehicle a muscular look. The so-called character lines have been greatly reduced along the sides. Cleverly contoured surfaces with a sculptured look create special light effects. The front section impresses with its high-status radiator grille.
All external dimensions have grown, with the wheelbase extended by 71mm in short, or standard wheelbase models, and by 51mm in long wheelbase models, where rear-seat passengers are afforded an extra 110mm of legroom over the already generous standard wheelbase proportions.
With a Cd (drag coefficient) figure from 0.22 (in Sport+ driving mode), the S-Class is one of the world’s most aerodynamic cars, quite amazing for a large four-door saloon. Although the frontal area of the new S-Class has increased slightly, the drag coefficient has been reduced even further compared to the preceding model.
The S-Class has also achieved improvements in aeroacoustics over the previous generation. The high rigidity of the new bodyshell provides the basis for outstanding noise and vibration comfort, enhanced with fine-tuning. For example, the apertures for the cable grommets in the firewall have double seals, the firewall insulation has been extended into the side areas of the A-pillars and the floor area, and acoustic foam is used in certain bodyshell sections for the first time.
Stable, light and safe construction
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is built around a new aluminium hybrid bodyshell with an aluminium content exceeding 50 percent. This meets numerous requirements: A high level of crash safety, up to 60kg less weight, and a highly rigid structure to ensure outstanding handling characteristics accompanied by excellent noise and vibration comfort.
The high proportion of aluminium is achieved by using cast and extruded structural components. This form of lightweight design and construction requires highly complex joining techniques. It demonstrates the know-how of Mercedes-Benz in the luxury saloon segment, as well as the quality arising from close, barely perceptible body joints and the highly precise fit of the design surfaces.
Sustainability to the fore
More than 98kg of components made from resource-conserving materials are used in the S-Class. The number of components containing recyclates is now 120 – more than twice as many as in the preceding model. Another 40kg or so are made from renewable raw materials.
The process of environmentally compatible development with specific targets is firmly embedded in the overall development process. Environmental aspects are taken into account at the conceptual phase.
For example, a recycled thread, Econyl, is now used for the floor coverings. This thread is manufactured by recovering nylon waste destined for landfill, such as old fish nets and fabric remnants from mills and carpets. These are collected and transformed into a new thread having the same properties as nylon. This process saves CO2 and enables Mercedes-Benz to keep materials in circulation.
A distinguished history
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class follows a long tradition that extends back to the beginnings of the Mercedes brand in the early 20th century. Each model has decisively influenced the automotive engineering of its era.
Well before the official designation S-Class, the models in the executive and luxury class were the mainstay of the Stuttgart-based company’s portfolio and have always stood for luxury, comfort, safety and lifestyle.
The continuous ancestry of the S-Class begins with the model 220 (W 187) of 1951. The designation “S-Class” was officially introduced with the 116 series in 1972.
The Mercedes-Benz S 450 4MATIC and S 450 L 4MATIC
The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be launched in Australia with the S 450 4MATIC and long-wheelbase S 450 L 4MATIC variants. Both will be powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder engine (270kW/500Nm), allied to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive. The addition of a 48V mild hybrid drive incorporating an integrated starter generator and a 48-volt onboard electrical system, can add an extra 16kW and 250Nm for short periods, to create smoother and more responsive acceleration. Reaching 100 km/h from standstill takes 5.1 seconds for both S 450 body styles, while combined cycle fuel economy is rated at 8.2 L/100 km for the S 450, and 8.4 L/100 km for the S 450 L.
Standard features on the S 450 4MATIC include:
- 3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster and 12.8-inch OLED high resolution central media infotainment touchscreen
- Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, including LINGUATRONIC, touchscreen and touchpad
- Navigation (NTG7) including live traffic, parked vehicle locator, predictive navigation and on & off-street parking
- Head-up display with MBUX augmented reality for navigation
- MBUX Interior Assistant
- Multi-function steering wheel in Nappa leather
- Mercedes-Me Connect app
- Sliding glass panoramic sunroof with tilt function and two-piece electric roller sunblind
- Heat and noise-insulating acoustic glass for front side windows, dark privacy glass for rear windows
- Exterior mirrors heated, electrically adjustable and folding
- Burmester 3D surround sound system with 15 high-performance speakers, DSP amplifier, 710W
- Smart Phone integration with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto; wireless charging system for compatible mobile devices
- Driving Assistance Package including Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Route Based Speed adaptation, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Stop-and-Go Assist, extended automatic restart in traffic, and Active Lane Change Assist
- Ambient lighting – includes exterior projection of brand logo
- Two-zone THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
- Electrically adjustable and climatised (heated and cooled) front seats
- Steering column with memory function (includes lumbar support)
- HANDS-FREE ACCESS (with remote boot lid closing)
- KEYLESS-GO with flush-fitting door handles
- Fingerprint scanner
- Traffic Sign Assist
- Parking Package with Active Parking Assist and 360-degree camera
- Power closing doors
- MULTIBEAM LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist
- AIRMATIC adaptive suspension
Additional features for the S 450 L 4MATIC include:
- Extended wheelbase (+110 mm)
- Electrically adjustable rear seats including memory function
- THERMOTRONIC automatic rear climate control
- Rear airbags (forward facing)
Pricing
The Mercedes-Benz S 450 4MATIC is priced at $240,700 (plus on road costs) while the long-wheelbase S 450 L 4MATIC is priced at $264,900 (plus on road costs). Both vehicles will be available to order from March 2021.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.