More tech, more luxury
The most comprehensive facelift in Mercedes history has ushered in smart technology and new engines to its luxury flagship
Had you been sitting with us listening to Mercedes-benz outline the latest incarnation of the S-class at a press conference in Zurich, Switzerland, last week, you would have been forgiven for thinking that it really is an all-new model, as was largely being projected.
There are more than 6000 individual new components and three brand-new engines – two of which are making their debut in the upmarket four-door, including a six-cylinder petrol unit combined with an electric motor and new 48V electrical system in a pair of mild hybrid models. There is also an updated infotainment system with new menu layouts and functions; and, to top things off, an advanced digital map-supported semi-autonomous driving system that accelerates and brakes all by itself, including in and out of roundabouts. This was just the beginning of a long list of new features being showcased for the latest S-class.
But no matter how hard Mercedes-benz tried to convince us of the step that this S-class has taken – and, admittedly, it is significant – there’s no escaping that it represents a mid-life facelift of what, up until now at least, has proven to be the most successful S-class model yet, the W222. The facelift is described by the German car maker’s head of research and development, Ola Källenius, as the most ambitious and comprehensive in the company’s long history. Indeed, the 2018-model-year S-class appears to be right up there with the arguably more contemporary BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8 in pure technological terms, which is no mean feat for a car originally introduced in 2014.
Dimensionally, the big Mercedes saloon hasn’t changed
at all. It still stretches to 5125mm in standard-wheelbase guise and a rather palatial 5255mm in its most popular long-wheelbase form. The familiar exterior appearance remains, too. However, many of the details – including the prominently chromed grille and profiling of the bumpers as well as the Led-imbued headlight and tail-light graphics – have been updated to give the S-class a freshened look that, company bosses hope, will hold it in good stead until the next S-class arrives in 2020.
Underneath, it uses an updated version of the outgoing S-class’s platform – a structure that Källenius describes as a combination of the MRA platform used by the smaller C-class and E-class but with its own unique S-class structural elements at the rear. It is allied to standard Air Body Control air suspension across the range. Unlike the three-chamber system unveiled on the latest E-class, though, the facelifted S-class retains the simpler single-chamber air springs used on the outgoing model. A change would have required modifications to the steel body structure, most notably, within the suspension towers – and Mercedes clearly thought that money would be better spent in other areas, including the electrical architecture, which has been upgraded to support the widest range of driver assistance systems seen in any Mercedes to date.
Here, we’re driving a model set to be among the best-selling new S-classes in the UK, the 400d, in what is likely to prove the most popular bodystyle, the longwheelbase model. It comes with the choice of standard rear-wheel drive or, as driven here, optional 4Matic four-wheel drive.
The big news is the engine. Gone is the turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel that has been a mainstay of the S-class line-up since 2005. It’s replaced by an all-new turbocharged 2.9-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel tuned to deliver 335bhp, which makes the S400d the most powerful diesel Mercedes yet. It produces 19bhp more than the turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel used by the latest BMW 730Ld and 71bhp more than Audi quotes for the turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 oil-burner fitted to its all-new fourth-generation A8 3.0 TDI.
Among the technical highlights brought by the S400d’s engine is a new stepped combustion bowls process, a multi-channel exhaust gas recirculation system sited close to the engine for low heat losses and, for the first time, variable valve lift control.
Subjectively, the new in-line six is even smoother and more refined than the V6 it supplants. Barely audible at idle, it revs quickly, smoothly and linearly, with the S-class’s new ninespeed torque-converter 9G-tronic gearbox programmed to exploit the strong torque characteristics.
Although it lacks the electric motor assistance of the more upmarket turbocharged 2.9-litre in-line sixcylinder petrol-powered S500, it nevertheless builds speed quickly, with merely a distant hum from the new engine detectable inside the well-isolated cabin. With a strapping 516lb ft on offer at just 1200rpm, the new 2000kg S400d 4Matic’s in-gear performance is wonderfully punchy
from anything above idle through to where the top peaks at 3200rpm. Mercedes quotes a 0-62mph time of 5.2sec and a governed 155mph top speed. With official fuel consumption of 50.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 147g/km, the new model is also more economical and cleaner running than the earlier S350d 4Matic, too.
Behind the wheel, it’s the superb ride that sets the new S-class apart from the upper luxury car competition. On smooth surfaces, it glides along in the finest traditions of its celebrated predecessors. The electronically controlled air-sprung suspension maintains a preset ride height and sponges away blacktop scars with truly admirable authority. Even over nasty transverse ruts, our S400d 4Matic managed to maintain its iron-fisted composure with the sort of inherent control and overall sensitivity unmatched by the latest 740d and the outgoing A8 3.0 TDI.
Yet although the character of the S-class has always been focused more towards comfort than sheer dynamic prowess, this is not to say that steady-state cruising is the only option. Switch the standard Dynamic Select system into Sport mode and it distinguishes itself with outstanding roadholding and, with the Air Body Control suspension fitted to our long-wheelbase model, exceptional body control, given its generous dimensions, even without the Magic Body Control system and its active suspension system, which is once again denied six-cylinder versions of the newly facelifted S-class.
The steering, which Mercedes describes as being further refined, remains extremely light and a touch vague in the first few degrees off centre, but it weights up nicely and is sufficiently precise with a quarter turn of lock to engage the driver. Although it is arguably not quite as willing as the 740d xdrive in overall terms, the S400d 4Matic serves up exceptional grip and the sort of cornering tenacity to allow swift and spirited progress over more challenging roads without constant interruptions from the traction and stability control systems.
Inside, the front seats, despite looking a little bereft of support, offer tremendous comfort over longer journeys. They also deliver a huge range of adjustment and, with the right options, a wide range of massaging functions. The cabin styling has been subtly refined and perceived quality takes a further step upmarket with higher-grade materials within the dashboard, which remains dominated by two high-definition displays for the instruments and infotainment.
For many, though, it’s the rear cabin that matters more at this end of the luxury car spectrum, and with a 3165mm wheelbase providing exceptional leg room in our longwheelbase model, it’s easy to be seduced by the space and comfort on offer. There will always be some who feel the need to arrive in something more exclusive than an S-class. Yet despite the cachet associated with a Rolls-royce Ghost or Bentley Flying Spur, it is arguable whether they manage to deliver the sort of well-being served up by the latest incarnation of the long-wheelbase Mercedes saloon f lagship.
What its higher-priced rivals can’t match right now is the S-class’s sheer level of technology. It ranges from a raft of driver assistance systems to cutting-edge semi-autonomous driving functions. Although the S-class can’t steer by itself for more than 30sec at a time, the autonomous accelerating and braking functions within the updated Distronic Plus cruise control system are a clear step towards fully automated driving that, Mercedes promises, will be part and parcel of the next S-class three years from now. Anyone buying the new S-class to drive, or be driven in, will experience an exceptional car perfectly judged to meet the demands of a discerning market.
Behind the wheel, it’s the superb ride that sets the new S-class apart from its competition