New Flagship for Mercedes-Benz – The S CLASS
New Flagship for Mercedes-Benz – The S CLASS
For over 5 decades, the Mercedes S Class has been the icon of success, and if you arrive at a function in a Mercedes, it is a message to all present that you are one who has made it. Even if it was a company car, you would have to be somebody quite high up in the corporate ‘food chain’ for you to be given one. The brand association is with success, and one might say that a Mercedes-Benz is the world’s largest calling card.
At the recent Frankfurt Motor show, DaimlerChrysler held a world premiere of the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the flagship model of the Mercedes-Benz range of cars. Following this was a media test drive that took motoring media from all parts of the world on a 500 kilometre drive from Milan in Italy to St. Moritz in Switzerland and back. The Malaysian contingent was made up of 12 journalists, courtesy of DRB-Hicom and DaimlerChrysler Malaysia.
For many, it was driving for the first time on the right hand side of the road, and on unfamiliar roads. However, there were maps provided, and more importantly, an excellent navigation system with the destination pre-programmed in, and a set of reassuring tulips.
DaimlerChrysler provided a whole bunch of cars, from the S350 to the S600. We took turns to drive each model, swapping along the way. The route took us through highways and narrow, twisty mountain roads to our destination.
The new S-Class is available in two body lengths, either 5,076 or 5,206 millimetres, which is 33 and 43 millimetres more, respectively, than the previous S-Class. The wheelbase has increased by 70 and 80 millimetres respectively, and the body is now 16mm wider and 29mm higher than previously. These new dimensions are the platform for an interior space concept that offers first-class passenger comfort.
There are three engine options to choose from. The S350 and the S500, as the names imply, are fitted with a 3.5 litre V6, and a 5.5 litre V8 respectively. The top-of-the-line S600 comes with a 5.5 litre V12 fitted with twin-turbos. In the first quarter of 2006, a common rail diesel engine delivering 231 hp will be available as the S320 CDI.
The 3.5 litre V6 develops eleven percent more output (200kW) compared to the current model, while consuming 0.5 litre less fuel per 100 kilometres. Next in line is the S500 featuring a 5.5 litre V8 that develops 285kW (388 hp)(26 percent more than the current model) and maximum torque of 530 NM. What this translates to is a zero to 100 km/hr acceleration in an awesome 5.4 seconds. And all this at the same fuel consumption level as the previous model.
The S600, has an output of 380kW (517hp) and maximum torque of 830Nm at between 1900 and 3500 rpm. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/hr is 4.6 seconds, enough to take your breath away, and certainly blow away just about anything else you may meet on the road.
Coupled to these engines is a newly developed automatic gearbox that offers seven speeds. What this translates to is excellent acceleration, little or no hesitation between gears, a good take-off due to a short first gear, high top speed due to a long seventh gear, plus excellent fuel economy. There is no conventional gear lever; drive is engaged via a little lever situated at finger-tip distance on the steering wheel. Gear changes are automatic, of course, but sporty-type drivers can opt to use the shift buttons located at the back of the steering wheel.
The newly developed seats in the S-Class are engineering marvels aimed at enhancing the comfort of passengers. The electrically adjustable front seats feature a total of 16 settings plus lumbar support and are fitted as standard. In addition, heated and ventilated multi-contour seats front and rear are available as optional extras, as are dynamic multi-contour seats in the front. These adapt the contours of both the seat cushion and the backrest to the actual driving situation and therefore offer optimal lateral support. In addition, these seats are fitted with separate air chambers in the backrest, which are individually filled and emptied at the touch of a button. This massages the back muscles of the front seat occupants and therefore enhances their comfort.
The rest of the interior of the S-Class is luxuriously appointed, with full leather upholstery, and touches of wood paneling for a pleasing and high-class effect. The very best of creature comforts is available, including two video screens mounted at the rear of the front seats for the rear occupants to watch movies or TV. On the front dashboard, all the accessory control switches are cleverly arranged in a neat row that looks like a continuous thin bar, leaving the dashboard uncluttered.
An intuitive control system called the COMMAND System provides direct access to frequently used vehicle systems. Depending on individual driver preference, the audio and video systems, the TV receiver, car phone, air-conditioning and on-board navigation system can be operated via conventional switches and buttons integrated in the multi-function steering wheel or through a large ‘mouse’ control mounted in the centre console and a display mounted in the centre of the dashboard.
Don’t be fooled by the size of the S-Class. Despite its bulk and weight (from 2.5 to 2.7 tons) the new S-Class is a very agile car. This we found out during the media drive through the Southern Alps on our way to St Moritz and back. New engines are much improved over the current ones, making the S-Class extremely fun to drive. Air suspension, a standard feature in all the cars, keep the car composed at all times, and, standard on the S600, optional on the other models, is an Active Body Control that helps the car to corner ‘flat’ through bends. The S-Class is more of a driver’s car now, although most of the people who buy it here will leave the driving to the paid help.
In terms of safety, there are some innovations in the new S-Class. Of note is the brake-assist with radar and latest generation PRE-SAFE. This system registers vehicles ahead by radar and gives a warning if the gap is too small or the closing speed is too high. If a collision is imminent, the system calculates the ideal braking assistance in fractions of a second and makes this available immediately – even if the driver applies too little brake pressure to the brake pedal.
The PRE-SAFE system also greatly improves occupant safety within the new S-Class by sensing a potential accident situation as it arises; If braking deceleration exceeds a certain level or if a skid is imminent, the system tensions the front seatbelts as a precaution and inflates air cushions in the multi-contour seats to envelop and support the driver, front passenger and rear seat occupants.
Working in conjunction with the PRE-SAFE system is the improved DISTRONIC PLUS proximity system. DISTRONIC is a radar supported system that operates at all speeds between Zero and 200 km/hr. In stop and go traffic, DISTRONIC PLUS keeps the new S-Class at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically brakes the car to a standstill if necessary and accelerates back to the programmed speed when the traffic starts moving again. This way, the system reduces the driver’s workload, resulting in less fatigue. The system is user-friendly, and simple to use. The package also includes park-assist, which also uses the same radar technology to provide early warning of an impending rear end collision.
The S-Class will be introduced in Malaysia sometime in the beginning of 2006, and the price will depend on the outcome of the NationalAutomotive Policy, which in itself is something we are all waiting for. The good news is that it will be available in CKD (locally assembled) form, meaning, the price will not be as expensive as an imported model. One thing is for sure, luxury does not come cheap.
