Big, New S-Class
The Car Can Drive Itself!
TORONTO – Toronto was the host this summer for the Mercedes S-Class of 2014 - the big luxury sedan’s world launch; 680 members of the media from across the globe gathered there to drive the 2014 model for the first time. For one day, we got to pretend we were wealthy businessmen and businesswomen who escape the ritzy Yorkville district and flee to the lakeside cottage for some R&R.
Ok, we didn’t really have time for rest and relaxation, as we were busy putting the S-Class through its paces. A car set once again to rival the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ; a car Mercedes touts as the best in the world. Is it? That’s a good question, since it depends on the point of view of every individual.
Elegant new design
Totally reskinned, the new SClass sedan boasts a silhouette that whispers extroversion and screams sheer elegance. Unlike high-end sports-car buyers, large luxury sedan customers aren’t seeking as much attention; they prefer displaying their richness and good taste in subdued fashion and the S-Class suits them perfectly. If I was rich, that would be my thinking anyway.
The new car is also more aerodynamic than before, with a drag coefficient of only 0.24. That places it among the most wind-cheating cars on the market.
One powertrain for Canada
For now, the only version of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class to be offered in our market is the S 550 4MATIC, in both short- and longwheelbase formats. The S 550 is equipped with a twin-turbo, 4.7L V8 that unleashes 449 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, connected to a seven-speed automatic. This powertrain is utterly smooth, dishing out its prodigious torque in a way that crams you to your seatback but isn’t violent in any way.
Let it be known, there will likely never be another rear-drive S-Class in Canada. That means the upcoming S 63 AMG will include the brand’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive, just like the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG.
That’s good and bad at the same time. Good because most buyers want the capable 4MATIC anyway so they can get through the Canadian winter slush. Bad because that limits the number of S-Class variations we’ll be getting – big time. The S 600 is a goner, we won’t get the S 400 Hybrid, and we won’t get the S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid; the latter is a diesel/electric that consumes an impressive 4.4 L/100km. What about the S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC model introduced in 2012, you ask? The US market doesn’t want it anymore, so we can’t have it either. Bummer.
Assist systems galore
The new S-Class is also host to a bunch of new or revised electronic driving aids. Canadian regulations forbid some neat stuff from being included in our version of the car, like the MAGIC BODY CONTROL auto-adjusting suspension and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus that masks part of the headlight beams as to prevent blinding oncoming cars. We get more conventional AIRMATIC suspension and adaptive headlights.
What we do get is a version of DISTRONIC PLUS that, with the help of multiple cameras, can steer the car by itself as well as stop and accelerate in traffic. Behold the car of the future in which the driver doesn’t need to pay attention to the road ahead. This also works in conjunction with the usual lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitor, park assist, brake assist and many other gizmos with the word “assist” in its name. I forgot to check, but the fuse panel in this car must be bigger than the one in an Airbus A380.
Perfume too?
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz SClass’ cabin is eerily quiet. You can almost hear your heart beat while driving. One of our tester cars was sumptuously trimmed in light grey leather and silver-coloured ash wood trim. The high-end Burmester sound system is phenomenal and even features tweeters that rotate out of their housings when the car is started – a nice touch. There are a lot of buttons, but they proved easy to pinpoint after an hour behind the wheel.
Rear-seat passengers get to live in the lap of luxury with multi-adjustable seats. An ottoman seat is also offered on the right side of the rear quarters, and each occupant has their own COMAND interface which can also be controlled via a smartphone app. In our car, all four seats had some form of massage function and all were heated and ventilated as well. There’s even a perfume dispenser in the glove box, which spits out one of several fragrances in the cockpit; no more tree car fresheners hanging from the rearview mirror.
Is it really the best?
How can you make a great car even greater? Between the old S- Class and the new one, we’re not witnessing a revolution here. It does look sleeker, it’s got more equipment, it’s more powerful and more fuel-efficient, and rich backseat guys and gals will be pampered more than ever.
With only one engine choice, however, I’m not sure the new SClass will sell more than the current one in Canada. Then again, Mercedes-Benz told us 20,000 people have pre-ordered the 2014 model worldwide, so what do I know about cars I can’t afford?
The new 2014 S-Class will be on sale in Canada in November. The short-wheelbase S 550 4MATIC will retail for $106,600, while the LWB version will start at $115,200.