Mercedes-Benz S580e Priced Confirmed At RM699k
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced the official retail price of the Mercedes-Benz S580e. Although it was launched in December 2021, the price of this flagship limousine had not yet been confirmed. The locally assembled S580e is priced at RM698,744 (on the road without insurance, and with sales tax exemption).
“The S-Class is the world’s best-selling luxury limousine and we are also pleased that the new S580e will be a locally-assembled variant as its predecessor. This is a testament of our commitment to reinforce our local commitment to expand our local foothold in the country. The vehicle underpins our claim to produce the best automobile in the world. This is where covetable luxury meets the greatest possible safety and highest level of comfort,” said Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
To recap, the S80e is a plug-in hybrid powered by a combination of a 3.0L inline-6 engine and electric motor. The rated output is 270 kW (367 hp) and 500 Nm. The electric motor is rated at 110 kW and 440 Nm. Its all-electric range is claimed at about 100 km. The power is transferred to the wheels by a 9-speed 9G-Tronic transmission.
The point of a luxurious limousine isn’t so much the power it has but the user experience. Mercedes-Benz has designed the cabin to be comfortable and relaxing. This new generation’s interior has evolved into a “third place”, a refuge between the home and workplace.
Using inspiration from interior architecture and yacht design, there is a systematic reduction in the number of controls for a minimalist appearance. Alongside 5 screens, the highlights include Anthracite open-pore poplar wood trim and the class-leading Burmester 3D surround sound system.
The seats are designed with a flowing, 3-dimensional layer that gives an impression of lightness with its nappa leather upholstery. A new feature is the heat-able additional cushion for the head restraint, which is available for the two electrically adjustable rear seats. The adjustment range and angle of the front passenger seat in the chauffeur configuration and the reclining seat behind it have been improved as well. Multiple motors in the front seats also make for comfortable seating position.
Providing more than comfort, the seats also play a major part with safety. The new S-Class features the world’s first rear airbags, which are integrated into the backrests of the front seats and deploy in a severe front impact. They deploy gently and protect strapped-in outer rear seat passengers against contact with the front seats. The loads on the head and neck can thus be reduced significantly.
User experience is also enhanced by the 2nd generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) which offers artificial intelligence support for safety, driving assistance and infotainment. The 5 large OLED screens make controlling vehicle and comfort functions even easier. The system now features fingerprint scanning for security and privacy.
Additionally, the new display for the driver has a 3-dimensional effect. Also available is the MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation which connects the virtual world with the real world. The technology incorporates graphical navigation instructions and traffic information into live images to ensure drivers will reach safely and stress-free.
The voice assistant “Hey Mercedes” is capable of deep learning and connected to the Mercedes me app. Moreover, certain actions can be performed even without the activation keyword “Hey Mercedes”, such as accepting a telephone call. “Hey Mercedes” now also explains vehicle functions and answers general knowledge questions. In the S-Class the voice assistant can also be controlled from the rear.
Using cameras in the overhead control panel and learning algorithms, MBUX Interior Assist recognises and anticipates the wishes and intentions of the occupants. It does this by interpreting head direction, hand movements and body language, and responds with corresponding vehicle functions. As well as enhancing operating convenience, MBUX Interior Assist improves safety. Even before the journey begins, it notifies the driver if the camera has detected a child seat on the front passenger seat but seat belt is not fastened, for example.
Resulting from systematic development is a driving assistance system that is taking another step closer to autonomous driving. For example, thanks to improved environmental sensors, the parking systems give the driver even better support when maneuvering at low speed. The integration into MBUX means that the level of visualisation has now entered a whole new dimension.
The Mercedes-Benz PRE-SAFE system can prepare the occupants for a side-on collision and reduce the risk of injury. It pushes the driver or front passenger away from the danger zone towards the inside of the car. The impulse is created by the movement of the seat side bolsters in the front backrests. Beneath the upholstery there is a balloon which is activated pyrotechnically, similar to an airbag. In the event of an imminent side collision being detected, a gas generator fills the balloon in an extremely short time. As a result the seat side bolster is drawn inwards and transfers the momentum on the occupants towards the middle of the vehicle and away from the impact zone. The PRE-SAFE Impulse Side works in conjunction with the other restraint systems such as the seat belts. This also applies to the side impact airbags and window airbags which are deployed in accidents of greater severity.
Furthermore, intelligent body shell design and innovations in restraint systems confirm the leading role of the S-Class when it comes to passive safety. The new aluminum hybrid body shell with an aluminum content exceeding 50% meets numerous requirements: A high level of crash safety, lower weight and a highly rigid body shell ensure outstanding handling characteristics accompanied by excellent noise and vibration comfort.
Cabin comfort is also enhanced by the extensive airflow simulations to further improvements in aeroacoustics. The high rigidity of the body shell also provides the basis for outstanding noise and vibration comfort, and this is enhanced with fine-tuning. For example, the apertures for the cable grommets in the firewall have double seals. To achieve an engine sound that is perceived as refined and unobtrusive in the interior, the firewall insulation has been extended into the side areas of the A-pillars and the floor area. Mercedes-Benz also uses acoustic foam in certain body shell sections for the first time.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability has also resulted in the use of over 98 kg worth of components being made from resource-conserving materials. The number of components containing recyclates is now 120, more than twice of the preceding model. About another 40 kg are made from renewable raw materials. The process of environmentally compatible development with specific targets is firmly embedded in the overall development process. Environmental aspects are already taken into account in the conceptual phase.
In addition, a new recycled thread is used for the floor coverings. This ECONYL thread consists of regenerated Nylon. It is manufactured by recovering Nylon waste destined for the landfill, for example old fish nets and fabric remnants from mills and carpets. These are collected and transformed into a new thread having the same properties as nylon from new raw materials. The recycling process used to produce the thread saves CO2 in comparison with new production. It also enables Mercedes-Benz to keep materials in circulation.
