By Khulekani Dumisa

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been launched and as per the tradition of the brand, this is not only the launch of the new range topping sedan, but a pioneer of a new technology in the brand and the wider motoring industry.

Looks

First, let’s start with the looks. The front gives a newer interpretation of the grille seen in the likes of A-Class and other new models. It’s larger, appears 3D and more circular. The lights are newly designed and feature over 2.6 million pixels and will not be mistaken for anything else with their three-point daytime driving light signature. The new LED lights and the grille are complemented by a newly designed bumper which makes the car appear wider.

The rear is somewhat divisive with the new LED lights whose shape can be mistaken for upside down triangles. That said, this appears to be in line with the latest rear design language for sedans in Stuttgart and not a bad sight by a long shot.

Finally, another stand out feature in the exterior of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class are the “flush doors” which deploy when the driver approaches or when stroked. Their introduction for the first time in a Mercedes-Benz car give the side design a seamless appearance. The regrettable bit is that they are an optional extra.

Interior

Inside, the talking biggest point is the Tesla-like display that is in portrait-form and flows from the dashboard right down to the centre console. This is interesting considering the direction of the brand appeared to be a large, two screen housing with both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment screen. Nonetheless, the difference in interiors will make the brand exciting and not appear too standard.

Another small but visible change is the interpretation of the seat controls on the door panels. They appear slimmer than what we are used.

The second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) debuts in the new S-Class with advances in commands and integration to other systems that can be operated remotely. The system can be commanded to operate lights in your house if the feature is available in that particular country.

There are also up to 5 screens on board, some with OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology. These allow the wireless transfer of information and images from one screen to the other. The navigation on the heads up display gets augmented reality. Melophiles will marvel at the advances in the sound department with Mercedes-Benz promising a 4D listening sound experience from the 31 speakers and eight exciters in the Burmester 430 D surround sound system.

Comfort will be aided by ten different massage programmes that are available in the new S-Class.

In terms of practicality, the boot capacity has increased by 20 litres to up to 550 litres compared to the previous model.

Technology and safety

More than 50 electronic components in the new S-Class can be updated with new software over-the-air (OTA). These include the entire MBUX infotainment system, the driver display, the driving assistance systems and the Multibeam LED and Digital Light lighting systems.

When a side impact with another vehicle threatens, the vehicle body can be raised by up to 8 centimetres thanks to the (optional) E-active Body Control suspension. This can occur within a few tenths of a second thus directing the force of the impact elsewhere. Another technological innovation are the new frontal airbags for rear passengers.

To make life easier and safer, the driver can park and “unpark” the new S-Class via smartphone with remote parking assist. This will require a number of options to be ticked, including Automated Valet Parking.

Engines and drive

Six-cylinder in-line petrol (M256) and diesel (OM656) engines in various output classes are the first engine variants that will be available in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. These are the S450 4Matic (270kW/500Nm), S500 4Matic (320kW/520Nm), S350d (210kW/600Nm), S350d 4Matic (210kW/600Nm) and S400d (234kW/700Nm). All these engines are offered with Mercedes-Benz’s 9G-Tronic transmission.

A V8 engine with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) and 48-volt on-board electrical system will be available soon thereafter. A plug-in hybrid with an all-electric range of around 100 kilometres will follow in 2021.

Manoeuvring the S-Class will be made easier with a turning circle that is reduced by up to two metres. This is thanks to the optional rear-axle steering which has a steering angle of up to ten degrees.

Although the driver will still be expected to intervene, it is expected that from the second half of 2021 the S-Class will be able to drive in conditionally automated mode with the new Drive Pilot. This will be in situations where traffic density is high or in tailbacks, on suitable motorway sections in Germany.

The local arrival date of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is yet to be confirmed.