Official pics & full info on all-new Mercedes S-Class
Mercedes’ new £82,000 flagship boasts ultimate in luxury – and is a technological tour de force that will set tone for next C-Class and E-Class
● Advanced newcomer takes comfort and convenience to next level
● First to use fresh platform that will underpin all marque’s saloons
“Alongside traditional fastidious approach to comfort is a technological revolution inside”
THIS is the all-new Mercedes S-Class, boldly hailed by the brand as “the best car in the world”. It goes on sale in Europe in December, priced from around £82,000.
The S-Class is the first Mercedes to be based on a new generation of the firm’s MRA platform for saloon cars. This means that alongside the model’s traditional fastidious approach to luxury and comfort, the new version is an important milestone for the company. It comes with a technological revolution inside the cabin that will set the tone for the next C-Class and E-Class.
Mercedes has confirmed two versions for the European market, based on a standard wheelbase and a long wheelbase. The standard car sizes up at 5,179mm in length, meaning it has grown by around 54mm. Step up to the long-wheelbase model, and it measures 5,289mm nose to tail. In both cases, the benefits of the growth spurt are found in the back, with each car offering more legroom and headroom than before, as well as bigger boots; both are up by 20 litres, to 550 litres.
The company says the new S-Class is the most opulent expression yet of the brand’s latest saloon design language. Its grille is larger and more upright than before, and is flanked by new Multibeam LED headlights, which are now available with projector beams as part of the Digital Light system. The set-up can project shapes and symbols on to the road ahead, warning the driver of hazards such as roadworks, traffic lights and pedestrians. It’s capable of projecting lane guide lines, too.
The car’s sides are smoother than before, while optional flush door handles are available. The rear end is defined by a pair of triangular tail-lights linked by a chrome strip; the car’s shape is more aerodynamic than before, not only aiding fuel economy, but also significantly reducing wind noise. This time round there will be no Coupé or Cabriolet versions, because the S-Class will be kept as a luxury limo. An even more luxurious Maybach edition will appear later.
Inside, the S-Class features an all-new interior architecture centred on a fresh, second-generation MBUX infotainment system. It’s impossible to ignore the new central display, which uses smartphone quality OLED screen technology and haptic feedback. This is 12.8 inches in size and portrait in orientation. Sitting on top of the dashboard with a flat-plane surface, it flows directly into the new-look centre console.
A redesigned digital instrument panel with 3D-effect graphics sits in front of the driver, ahead of a new-look steering wheel featuring touch-sensitive functions. In addition there’s a head-up display capable of augmented reality technology. This means warning symbols and prompts – such as directions from the navigation system – can appear as if they are being projected directly on to the street in view.
Up to three displays can be fitted in the rear of the S-Class. Two 11.6-inch touchscreens fixed to the backs of the front seats allow occupants to surf the web, check E-mails or watch television, while there’s also a removable tablet. The latter is stored in the folding centre armrest in
versions of the S-Class with three rear seats, or in a dedicated slot on the centre console in cars with two captain’s chairs in the back.
Meanwhile, MBUX Interior Assistant is a new feature. It uses cameras in the car’s overhead panel to interpret the head, hand and body movements of those on board, and automatically enables corresponding vehicle functions and provides contextual prompts. For example, if the driver reaches over to the passenger seat to grab something at night, the light above the seat will automatically switch on. Looking at a side mirror also allows it to be adjusted without the need to operate a physical switch. If an occupant attempts to exit the car as another vehicle approaches, the ambient lighting will pulse red as a warning.
With the new S-Class, Mercedes also aims to take a step forward with semiautonomous driving technology by introducing Level 3 capability for the first time. The company says that from the second half of 2021, the new model will be
capable of ‘hands-off’ autonomous driving on motorways and in traffic jams. The driver will be able to check E-mails or browse the web, and the vehicle – in certain conditions – will be capable of responding to all traffic and any potential collisions. Meanwhile, remote parking assist means the car can park itself or be summoned from a short distance via smartphone.
The chassis has a pair of significant new features, with 48v-controlled air suspension and rear-wheel steering; Mercedes says the latter system reduces the S-Class’s turning circle to that of a family hatchback. Optional E-Body Active Control suspension can raise one side of the car by up to 80mm before a side-on collision, reducing the impact. Airmatic air suspension with continually adjustable damping is fitted as standard.
As for engines, Mercedes has confirmed a launch line-up consisting entirely of 3.0litre turbocharged straight-six options, with two 48v-assisted petrols and three diesels to choose from. All cars use the same nine-speed automatic gearbox and are electronically limited to a top speed of
“Inside, the car features an all-new architecture centred on a fresh MBUX infotainment system”
155mph. Petrol power kicks off with the S 450 4MATIC with all-wheel drive. It boasts 362bhp and 500Nm of torque, propelling the model from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. The S 500 4MATIC raises power to 429bhp, reducing the 0-62mph sprint to 4.9 seconds.
The popular S 350 d returns with or without four-wheel drive, developing 282bhp and 600Nm torque. Mercedes claims that rear-wheel-drive versions cover 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, with the 4MATIC system reducing this to 6.2 seconds. Fuel economy of up to 44.1mpg is claimed for the S 350 d. Above these two options is the 325bhp S 400 d, with 700Nm of torque and a 5.4-second 0-62mph time.
Elsewhere, Mercedes has confirmed that V8 power will come to the S-Class in 2021 with 48v mild-hybrid assistance, and a petrol plug-in model capable of up to 62 miles on electric power is on the way. A high-performance AMG version is also planned, but no details have been confirmed.