Pointless gadgets make this an S-crass
SYSTEM SO IT’S DISTRACTING
AS many of you know, I’m not a fan of overly complicated cars. So it’s with some trepidation I approach the Mercedes-benz S-class we’re testing this week.
It worried me that the makers arranged for a specially trained S-class boffin to hand the car over.
But, after sitting next to him for more than half an hour while he explained the car’s various systems to me, I began to relax.
First, it helped that I drive a lot of Mercs so I’m fairly used to their line of thinking. A bit like always having owned iphones makes it more straightforward when the next generation arrives. Second, many of the systems, like getting the car to park itself using an app, I know I’ll not use.
There is a lot more pointless functionality I haven’t the space to go into here. Or the patience.
Inevitably, when the expert came to demonstrate the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command it was a joke. Quite simple commands were completely misunderstood.
And this is the technology that’s meant to help you navigate your way through the forest of functions in the infotainment system, without taking your eyes from the windscreen.
It’s interesting that the car’s optional face and fingerprint recognition system worked yet the car couldn’t understand my speech. One new feature on the S-class that looked promising is the Head Up Display system. I like HUDS as they offer up simple information right in front of your eyes. Unfortunately the Merc’s HUD displays far too much. You can no doubt declutter it by setting up personal preferences, but it’s the idea of it that’s flawed.
The information is spread too widely across the screen and is distracting. I was startled when what I thought was a white cat running across the road turned out to be the sat nav showing a right turn coming up.
Our test car is a S350d L AMG Line Premium Plus, a name so long it would only just fit on the HUD system’s display. L means long wheelbase and the 350d bit refers to the 2,925cc straight-six diesel engine fitted to the car.
It feeds its 286bhp and 600Nm of torque through a nine-speed automatic gearbox that’s standard on the S-class. Left-hand drive cars have had a four-wheel drive option for a while but this is the first generation of Uk-bound cars offering it.
Ours doesn’t have it and I doubt it makes much difference. This car doesn’t have four-wheel steering that’s available in the models higher up the range either.
Quite the entry level model then, even if it does cost £95,695.
But what really matters is comfort. As our car is a long-wheelbase version there’s stacks of room in the back.
Up front there is a multitude of massage functions meant to be relaxing. You’ll need to have your karma restored after you’ve worked out all the different lumbar/bolster massage options on the seats.
Air suspension is standard on all S-classes. Don’t bother with any driving mode other than Comfort. It’s a luxury car, after all.
The ride is smooth and quiet; the diesel engine’s noise well insulated from the cabin. Not so good on our car were the optional 21inch alloy wheels. One dropped into a shallow pothole with such a crash I feared its rim might be damaged. The curse of ultra-low profile tyres.
The Mercedes-benz S-class has always been at the forefront of technology. It was the first car to be fitted with really effective ABS – technology that eventually filtered down to the cheapest cars and that saved lives.
The new S-class contains pointless gadgetry and gimmick tech that is there for the sake of it. It seems the days of the S-class being a pioneer are over.