Mercedes-Benz S-Class review: hi-tech meets old world
It looks conservative on the outside, but Mercedes’ new flagship is a technological tour-de-force, with features that can be upgraded over the air.
Luxury
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To understand the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, take a look at the touchscreen in the centre of its dash. The big and beautiful portrait-oriented OLED display is a window into the workings of this complex car. But it’s also eye-catching evidence of the German brand’s belief that digital tech increasingly defines luxury.
Digitalisation runs way more than screen-deep in the new S-Class. Software is at the heart of almost every innovation and improvement in this car.
Some highlights are the 3D-effect instrument display screen and brilliant augmented reality head-up display, as well as the new Interior Assist feature. This uses interior cameras to capture eye-movements, gestures and body language, and has the car automatically respond. For instance, if the driver looks towards the rear window and the sunblind there is raised, Interior Assist will lower it.
All these, and much more, are part of the new S-Class’s second-generation MBUX (for Mercedes-Benz User experience) infotainment set-up, which has way more computational grunt. Among other things, the extra power is behind the car’s smarter-that-before Siri-like voice assistant, summoned by simply saying “Hey Mercedes”. It’s a well-connected car, so the S-Class can also do pretty much everything your smartphone can.
Digital technology also supports the car’s advances in driver-assist and active safety systems. Software controls everything from the new S-Class’s optional intelligent LED headlights to the deployment of its innovative rear-seat airbags.
Many of the Mercedes-Benz’s features and systems can now have their software upgraded over the air, including MBUX, the driver display, driving assistance systems, and the LED headlights. User authorisation is always required for this, the company says.
So far the S-Class probably sounds a lot like an iPad Pro with wheels; a device designed to charm so-called digital natives. True, up to a point. But Mercedes-Benz’s flagship model also aims to nail traditional analog attributes of a top-end luxury car; classiness, silence, comfort and performance.
The interior is opulent but not tasteless. It’s a big improvement over the expensive-brothel ambience of the model it will replace. One of the best-looking fit-outs available in the car features a wood veneer dash inlaid with narrow aluminium strips.
Both the short- and long-wheelbase versions of the new S-Class are slightly larger. There’s space in every direction inside the big Mercedes-Benz, and the trimmings and decorations give it something of the feel of a cosy clubroom.
It’s quiet and calm inside, even on a bumpy road. Air suspension is standard, and the Mercedes-Benz delivers a ride that’s hovercraft smooth. Optional rear-wheel steering, which tightens the big sedan’s turning circle, makes the S-Class feel smaller and more agile.
According to a senior Mercedes-Benz executive, all petrol engines planned for the S-Class will feature hybrid technology. Production begins with a turbo in-line 3.0-litre six-cylinder, in two power outputs. It will be quickly joined by a V8. All will feature 48-volt mild hybrid systems.
In 2021 they will be joined by a high-voltage plug-in hybrid six-cylinder model. Mercedes-Benz engineers are quietly confident that this version will earn an official electric-only driving range rating of at least 100km.
In Australia the new S-Class will launch in March next year in S450 form. This is the lesser of the two 3.0-litre mild-hybrid sixes, but the maximum output of this power unit is a healthy 286kW.
The S450 wasn’t available to test drive at the recent media introduction of the car in Germany, but the very similar S500 was. While its petrol engine is a bit more powerful, the hybrid hardware is identical.
Smooth, strong and wonderfully quiet, the hybrid six is as classy as internal combustion gets. Driving through a nine-speed automatic whose slurring shifts can barely be sensed, this power unit is as supremely impressive as every other part of the car …
Except, perhaps its exterior design. Though the new S-Class previews technologies that will make it into tomorrow’s less costly Mercedes-Benz models, its ultraconservative shape and style echo yesterday’s tastes.
MERCEDES-BENZ S450
PRICE $240,000 (est)
SAFETY Not rated
ENGINE 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo hybrid; 286kW/750Nm
TRANSMISSION 9-speed auto; RWD
THIRST 7.8L/100km
0-100KM/H 5.1 secs
Originally published as Mercedes-Benz S-Class review: hi-tech meets old world