Mercedes-benz S400d L 9G-tronic
The S-class benefits from some under-the-skin fettling, with a muscular new inline-six diesel added to the mix
IT’S not always easy being top dog. Just ask the MercedesBenz S-class, a perennial pack leader that has become exceptionally adept at swatting away competition from increasingly capable rivals on its way to five consecutive victories in the luxury-car category of this magazine’s annual Top 12 Best Buys awards (see page 46).
Still, the Baden-württembergbased brand is well aware that it’d be downright foolish to rest on its laurels at this point, with progressively polished versions of its traditional limousine rivals (we’re looking at you, Audi A8) now backed up by an assemblage of über-posh, Suv-shaped offerings conceived to tempt the chauffeured from their plush perches in the hind quarters of stretched saloons.
So, as the S-class has been around in W222 guise since 2013, it’s high time for an update (although, interestingly enough, this time round South Africa will get V222 long-wheelbase derivatives only, with Mercedes-benz SA saying that its customers prefer the extra 130 mm between the axles). And, while a glance at the accompanying images may suggest that this facelift is little more than a visual nip and tuck – a fresh grille here, a splash more chrome trim there and extravagant crystal-look lamps round back – it’s beneath those familiarly taut lines that the most significant changes have taken place. As many as 6 500 changes, according to Benz.
Along with the adoption of the latest version of the brand’s dual-display widescreen cockpit, a redesigned multifunction steering wheel (now
hosting the touch-sensitive controls we first experienced in the E-class), further fettled intelligent suspension and yet more advancements in driverassistance technology that move the Sonderklasse one step closer to fully autonomous capability, the refreshed S-class also gains a few new powerplants.
One such unit is a certain 2,9-litre inline six-cylinder (the brand is steadily moving away from the V6) that renders the S400d L in which it resides the most powerful diesel vehicle in Mercedes-benz’s storied history. Sure, 250 kw is plenty for a sub-3,0-litre oil-burner, and this particular derivative easily outpunches rivals such as the BMW 730d and upcoming A8 50 TDI, but it’s the towering peak torque figure of 700 N.m that is more pertinent in a stately saloon such as this.
While forgoing the 48 V electric assistance enjoyed by a similarly sized petrol engine doing duty overseas, the new turbodiesel still manages to deliver its maximum twist to the rear wheels across a pleasingly broad band (starting as low as 1 200 r/min), lending the twotonne luxury barge startling in-gear verve – facilitated by two-stage turbocharging and emphasised by an intuitive ninespeed automatic transmission – and damn-near missile-like overtaking abilities.
Compared with the old V6 oil-burner, this new engine is noticeably more hushed, too, with little more than a whisper making it to the ears of the occupants stretched out in the admittedly meticulously insulated (and fastidiously finished) cabin. It’s considerably more frugal, too, sipping a claimed 5,2 L/100 km in rear-wheel-drive guise, although that’s more the result of Europe’s ever-tightening emissions regulations than a concerted effort to save the typi- cal S-class owner a few bucks at the pumps.
As you might expect, the S-class rides with aplomb, positively dissolving harsh road imperfections, particularly if endowed with the relatively high-profile rubber worn by our test vehicle (245/45 R19 fore and 275/40 R19 aft). Ultimately, a multitude of subtle changes, along with more obvious updates, such as the addition of this silky smooth yet deceptively brawny diesel engine, combine to keep the technological tour de force that is the S-class one step ahead. Another trophy in the bag.