Locally Assembled Mercedes-Benz S500 L Launched In Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 18 November 2008 -Mercedes-Benz-Malaysia presented its new top-of-the-range locally assembled model, the S500 L, with a 5.5 litre V8 Quad-cam engine.
Outwardly looking almost similar to the current S300 and S350, both models of which are also assembled at the DRB-Hicom plant in Pekan Pahang, the S500L is thus a car for the owner who just wants the best in performance and luxury in this class of vehicles, yet wants to be discreet about it.
Looking at the three models placed side by side, the main difference would be in the equally discreet badge, which can be removed if you so wish, and the wheel size. If you are very good at knowing wheel sizes without actually looking at the tyres, you will note the S300 has 17-inch wheels, the S350 has 18-inch wheels, and the S500 comes with 19-inch wheels. Wonder what will happen if they ever plan to introduce the S450L.
Technical highlights for the S500 L include DISTRONIC PLUS– which allows the vehicle to keep a safe distance away from the vehicle in front while on cruise control, automatically baking and slowing down to a stop if necessary to maintain a minimum gap in between. Radar sensors sense if the distance is too close, and apply the brakes, at full pressure if necessary.
Night view assist provides sharp images of the road ahead with the help of the latest infra-red technology, and the new COMAND system offers voice control for many functions. Anticipatory PRE-SAFE® occupant protection is standard, and the suspension system rides on a cushion of air.
Performance: over 26 percent more output from the new V8 engine
The engines for the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class are new or further developments which offer up to 26 percent more output and up to 15 percent more torque compared to the preceding series. Fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 9 percent.
The new 5.5-litre eight-cylinder generates 285 kW/388 hp and is among the most powerful engines in its displacement class. Maximum torque is also significantly improved compared with the previous V8 engine; it has increased to 530 Newton metres, and is available within a wide engine speed range between 2800 and 4800 rpm. As a result the eight-cylinder powerplant offers sporty driving if you so wish. The new S500 L accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, while fuel consumption is rated at 11.8 to 12.0 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC, combined cycle).
Suspension: AIRMATIC for even greater comfort with agile handling
The running gear with its standard, improved air suspension system AIRMATIC likewise makes a major contribution to the high level of ride comfort in the new S 500 L. Mercedes-Benz combines this with the Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which continuously regulates the shock absorber characteristics and takes the road conditions, driving style and vehicle load into account. The system adapts the damping forces for each individual wheel to the current situation within just 50 milliseconds.
The Adaptive Damping System was further improved by means of degressive shock absorber characteristics. This provides a greater ratio between the compression and rebound damping forces, thereby contributing greatly to the agile handling characteristics of the saloon.
The “S/C/M” key in the centre console is another special feature of the S 500 L. This enables the driver to alter the characteristics of the saloon from “comfortable” to “sporty”, and to adjust the suspension, vehicle level and transmission mode individually. From 120 km/h and in the Sport mode, the suspension is automatically lowered by up to 20 millimetres to further improve the handling, aerodynamics and fuel consumption.
Safety: Brake Assist with radar and latest-generation PRE-SAFE®
Mercedes-Benz has improved on its safety systems such as Brake Assist and PRE-SAFE® for the S-Class. These innovations help to prevent accidents, improve occupant protection and assist the driver. The new Brake Assist PLUS system (BAS PLUS) 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 threatens, Brake Assist PLUS calculates the ideal braking assistance in fractions of a second and makes this available immediately – even if the driver applies too little pressure to the brake pedal. This significantly reduces the incidence of rear-end collisions.
Mercedes-Benz combines Brake Assist PLUS with the equally unique PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system, which offers even more safety functions on board the S-Class. PRE-SAFE® recognises potential accident situations as they arise: if braking deceleration exceeds a certain level or a skid is imminent, the system tensions the front seat belts as a precaution and inflates air cushions in the seats to envelop and support the driver, front passenger and rear seat occupants.
This combination of the new Brake Assist PLUS system and PRE-SAFE® is a further enhancement to occupant protection. Mercedes-Benz claims to be the world’s first and only automotive brand with a comprehensive safety system of this kind, which goes into action as soon as an accident risk is detected.
DISTRONIC PLUS: new assistance system for stop-and-go traffic
Brake Assist PLUS is available in combination with an improved DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control system. This radar-supported system now operates at all speeds between zero and 200 km/h, and ensures even greater driver convenience. In stop-and-go traffic DISTRONIC PLUS keeps the S500 L at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically braking the Saloon to a standstill if necessary and accelerates it back to the programmed speed when the traffic starts moving again. In this way the assistance system reduces the driver’s workload and provides considerable benefits in driver-fitness safety.
The equipment package consisting of Brake Assist PLUS and DISTRONIC PLUS also includes park assist, which is based on radar technology. This system provides early warning of an impending collision when reversing.
Night view assist: more safety at night with infrared headlamps
A night view assist system which was premiered in the new S-Class is a standard feature in the S500 L to help reduce the risk of accidents during the hours of darkness. This system is based on infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye and will therefore not dazzle oncoming traffic. Two infrared headlamps illuminate the road, significantly extending the driver’s range of vision when on low beam. An infrared camera mounted on the inside of the windscreen records the reflected image of the road ahead and displays this in the instrument cluster.
Bodyshell: High-tech steels for maximum safety
The bodyshell creates important conditions for the comfort, dynamism, durability and other major attributes of the S-Class. The static torsional rigidity of the body – an indicator for safe and comfortable handling – has improved by around twelve percent compared to the previous S-Class, for example. Approx. half of the bodyshell components are of high or higher-strength, high-tech steel alloys which offer maximum strength with minimum weight. The bonnet, front wings, boot lid and other components are made of aluminium.
High-quality recyclable and renewable raw materials play an important role in the materials efficiency of the S-Class. 27 components in the new S-Class with a combined weight of around 43 kilograms are made from natural materials. Compared to the preceding model series, this is an increase of approx. 73 percent in the total weight of components made from renewable raw materials. The new luxury saloon by Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first automobile to possess an environmental certification.
Interior: COMAND APS System
The “Cockpit Management and Data System” — COMAND for short – in the new S 500 L is equipped with a hard-disc-based navigation system featuring a 3D map function with an 8″ colour display. It provides a central control interface for all the telematics components as well as additional individual functions. The Maps of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are stored on the high storage capacity hard disc. COMAND APS is also equipped with a high-end TV Tuner, an exclusive Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround system to get an optimal loudspeaker configuration for the vehicle interior and the 6-disc DVD-changer, capable of reading MP3 CD/DVD and Video CD/DVD.
The Rear-seat Entertainment System offers all rear passengers entertainment of a high technical standard. During the journey, rear passengers can independently watch DVDs or watch TV as well as use external entertainment devices such as game consoles, without distracting the driver.
Seats: improved multi-contour technology and innovative back massage function
Mercedes customers in the new S 500 L are able to adapt the seats to their personal comfort requirements, as electrically adjustable 12-way front seats with lumbar supports are standard equipment. High-comfort seats with active ventilation, rear multi-contour seats and front dynamic multi-contour seats soothe the occupants throughout every journey.
Mercedes-Benz has improved this multi-contour technology even further. The front seats are now equipped with eleven air chambers which enable the seat contours to be individually adjusted. New piezo valves on the air chambers operate much more rapidly than the previous technology, noticeably improving the dynamic response function of the multi-contour seat. Depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and road speed, the piezo valves vary the inflation pressure and volume of the air chambers in the sides of the backrests within fractions of a second, providing the driver and front passenger with even better lateral support.
The dynamic multi-contour seat is also equipped with separate air chambers in the backrest which are successively inflated and deflated in a programmed sequence. Passengers in the new S-Class can therefore enjoy a gentle back massage which stimulates the back muscles, assists in blood circulation and therefore helps to prevent premature fatigue. The Mercedes multi-contour seat – available for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers – bear the seal of approval of “Aktion Gesunder Rücken”, a German organisation which tests products for spine-friendly design.
The rear folding tables are integrated into the seat back so that it is almost flush, and are secured in place by a locking mechanism. These provide each rear passenger with a generously-sized work surface. It is unfolded by pressing a pushbutton, which allows the table to be folded out manually. The use of fine wood veneers further enhance the appearance of the cabin.
The new Mercedes-Benz S 500 L is priced at RM998,888.00 and is available at all dealerships.
