The S-Class is still a top achiever
Mercedes-Benz’s all-new S-Class is a hi-tech Ubermensch of a car, but is its ICE drivetrain a leftover from a dirtier past, wonders
The S-Class has long been the apex predator of the Mercedes-Benz range, being that absolute top in terms of luxury, quality and technology. But now there is a new, all-electric EQS waiting in the wings – does the latest S-Class have the hi-tech chops to keep relevant in the face of its new silent in-house competitor?
Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?
Like I said, the S-Class has traditionally been the top of the tree in terms of the standard Mercedes-Benz passenger range and Mercedes sees no reason for that not to continue, despite the allnew, all-electric EQS that will launch this year potentially upsetting that equation.
The company sees the traditional ICE S-Class and the more space-age EQS existing sideby-side, simply offering different propulsion methods to potential customers.
And before you ask, yes, that means the new S-Class is utterly packed with cutting edge technology to complement its oldschool effortless luxury. It just happens to be powered by a range of superb petrol engines instead of electricity.
The S-Class launches in New Zealand initially in S 450 guise, available in either standard (S 450 4matic) or long wheelbase (S 450 L) versions. The S 450 is powered by Mercedes-Benz’s thoroughly wonderful 3.0-litre inline sixcylinder turbo-charged petrol engine that produces a healthy 270kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
The engine is hooked up to a 9-speed automatic transmission
that channels the power through all four wheels, as well as a 48-volt mild hybrid system that can pump a further 16kW and 250Nm into things for a short period, propelling the big S to 100kmh from a standing start in just 5.1 seconds.
Standard equipment is, as you would expect, extensive – as is the list of options. Literally every aspect of the new S-Class is nextlevel, with things like a stunning
3D dashboard display, augmented reality navigation (that displays directions over a live camera feed of the road ahead, or – optionally – onto the windscreen via an expanded head up display), a second-generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface that displays on up to five large screens and a vastly improved version of the ‘‘Hey Mercedes’’ voice assistant and
MBUX Interior Assist that uses cameras and learning algorithms to recognise and anticipate the intentions of the occupants. Yes, really.
It does this by ‘‘interpreting head direction, hand movements and even body language’’ and responds with corresponding vehicle functions. For example, if the driver looks over their shoulder at the rear window, Interior Assist
automatically opens the sunblind. If the driver is looking for something on the front passenger seat in the dark, it automatically switches the light on, and you can select which side mirror to adjust just by looking at it.
The S-Class is packed with incredibly impressive tech, but possibly the most impressive part is that it all works effortlessly well and is utterly seamless. The ‘‘entry’’ S 450 is the only standard wheelbase car in the local range and starts at $215,000, and the S 450 L starts at $235,900. The S 450 twins will soon be joined by the $291,700 V8-powered S 580 L and the mighty V12-powered Mercedes-Maybach that tops the range at a hefty $492,800. Then there are options. So many options. . .
Where did you drive it?
On a pleasant jaunt from MercedesBenz New Zealand’s headquarters in Auckland’s Newmarket out to the luxurious Te A¯ rai Lodge an hour and a half north of Auckland.
The blend of state highway and country roads showed off the S 450’s effortless mastery. A superbly wafting, pillowy ride was backed up by some surprisingly sharp dynamics when chucked into a series of corners. This is a big car, but it turns in wonderfully well.
The S 450 felt at its best when left in Comfort mode (Sport sharpens up the handling, but at the expense of the superb ride) where it can still be punted along enthusiastically, with minimal body roll. But it’s really not about the handling, and the S 450’s blend of ride quality, agility and seriously clever driver assists make it an utterly effortless distance devourer at any speed.
The latest version of MercedesBenz’s thoroughly excellent Driving Assistance Package is particularly impressive and includes active cruise control, route-based speed adaptation, active stop-and-go assist, extended automatic restart in traffic, and active lane-change assist.
It is essentially a Level 2.5 (but getting close to 3) semi-autonomous system that uses the car’s GPS system to adjust speed for corners on the open road – it even slowed to a near-halt at an intersection after we put the indicator on – as well as packing Tesla-rivalling (dare we say ‘‘beating’’? No, the Tesla fanboys would never accept that. . .) awareness of what is going on around it – all displayed on that spectacular 3D dash.
What’s the pick of the range?
We only got to drive the S 450 at this stage, but it would be a very hard one to go past either in its SWB or more luxurious LWB form.
The straight-six is an absolutely superb engine that effortlessly powers the S 450, and the amount of luxury and technology packed into it in even its most basic, unoptioned form is simply stunning. But the fact that there are so many options available makes it extremely unlikely that any two will ever be the same anyway.
I am sure the S 580 L V8 will be equally impressive, but it is hard to see how making the jump in money to get it would be justifiable on engine alone.
The Maybach, at more than twice the price, will be in another class altogether.
Why would I buy it?
Because you want the ultimate in old-school style understated luxury, with a deeply hi-tech twist. Simple as that.
Why wouldn’t I buy it?
Because you know the EQS isn’t all that far away and the idea of everything the S-Class does but with a smooth, silent all-electric powertrain (and that dashboard) is just too compelling to settle for an internal combustion engine. . .