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The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the brand’s flagship and is representative of the brand’s technological achievements. The seventh-gen model is armed to the teeth with the latest technology available in the Mercedes stable.
The S-Class is designed with short overhangs at both ends, allowing it to be stretched from the middle with a massive wheelbase of over 3.1 metres. The car has wide tracks, flushed wheels, and numerous sensors and cameras (for the assisted systems) are symmetrically integrated in the grille. The new Digital Lights headlights are available as an alternative to the standard multibeam headlamps. Wheel sizes are available from 18 inches to 21 inches with flush fitted door handles as optional.
The S-Class will be launched in two variants, both with in-line, six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The petrol S 450 4Matic, powered by the brand’s latest M 256 engine makes 362bhp and 500Nm of torque. It will hustle the massive saloon from 0 to 100kmph in just 5.1 seconds and on to a top whack of 250kmph. The petrol is likely to get EQ boost with a 48V electrical system which adds 250Nm of torque and 21bhp (16 kW) for a short period. The diesel S 400d meanwhile will continue to get the OM 656 engine like its stablemates. It makes 327bhp and produces a solid 700Nm of torque, enough to take the S-Class to a 100kmph in just 5.4 seconds.
The S-Class has always concentrated on high levels of comfort, ride quality and vehicle dynamics. For the latest variant, the new E-active body control replaces the previous gen Magic Body Control. The car has been fitted with the standard AIRMATIC suspension with adaptive ADS+ dampers. This ensures that when an individual wheel drives over a bump, the shock is not transmitted to the axle or the interior, thanks to road surface scan that reads the road ahead and preselects a suitable suspension setting. The car also shortens its turning radius with the use of rear wheel steering giving it a tighter turn angle. As a result, the turning circle has been reduced by two meters.
The S-Class comes with MBUX interior assist which recognises the intentions and wishes of the occupants through cameras on the overhead control panel. 250 led lights around the car team up to create the active ambient lighting which are integrated into the driving assistance system and are able to reinforce warnings visually. The rear airbags also reduce the loads acting on the head and neck of the rear passengers during a severe crash. The new S-Class also has the ability to update over 50 electronic components with a new over-the-air (OTA) software. One the safety front, the new Pre Safe Impulse Side feature raises the vehicle body if the car detects a side collision. By the second half 2021, the S-Class will be able to drive autonomously in specific situations with the Drive Pilot technology (Only in select countries where regulations allow the same). This in turn takes the pressure off the driver.
The S-Class’s interiors have always put comfort of the rear passengers on the highest priority. With all the sound damping materials fitted inside the car, the rear seat passengers have been promised the feeling of being in a deprivation tank. There are infinite adjustments available to the rear seat passengers and also have redesigned seat heaters. The front dash, console and the armrest have a ‘floating’ architectural attribute to them.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class goes up against the likes of the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series. It will come to India as a completely built unit (unit) and like the E-Class will be available in its long wheelbase version only. The next few launches from Mercedes-Benz India are likely to be super luxurious models. The GLS Maybach was launched a few days ago and in the coming months we’ll also get the Maybach S-Class and the EQS.
