Mercedes-Benz S-Class Expert Review

The King’s ride

Mercedes-Benz was the first car company, as Daimler-Benz had made the first automobile in the world in 1886. The German manufacturer was also the first one to introduce a luxury car, which was later christened as the S-Class. Now, the company will soon introduce the next year of the S-Class (V222). We get our hands on this new S-Class before its launch in January and tell you if this is the new World’s Best Car like the other previous generations of S-Class. After some extensive driving of the S-Class, we tell you if it is the next technologically advanced car.

Design:

The new generation S-Class follows the design language like the previous-generation S-Class. Hence, it is more of an evolution than a revolution. The new front grille is even larger and grand than the outgoing version. We are glad that the three-pointed star logo is on the top and isn’t embossed in the grille. So, the Travel with the star philosophy that was implemented for Mercedes-Benz cars has been retained on the new S-Class even till date. The new headlamp design has been derived from other Mercedes-Benz cars to retain the same DRG (Down-the-Road Graphics). The lower grille is sleek and the hood is crowned. There are two prominent steaks running across and these add to the muscular look. The headlamps are LED with sharply redefined contours.

The silhouette is unmistakably of a Mercedes-Benz. This is no doubt in that. There is a black panoramic roof too and also the five twin-spoke alloys. The chrome strip that runs across the car on the rocker gives it a special touch too. The B-pillar is blacked-out and the DLO (Daylight opening) is very much like the outgoing version of the S-Class. There is a crisp swage line that runs across the car and lowers as you move to the rear. The co-efficient of drag has been reduced to 0.24 and this is the first car to not have even a single bulb in it, all LEDs.

Interiors:

The interior of the S-Class is the place to be. The feel and the fit and finish of the materials is first-rate. The German designers have crafted every single element to perfection and it feels to have come from a designer store than a production plant. The wooden inserts along with the beige instrument panel do meld well –this called as the Designo wood myrtle shiny brown sunburst trim. 

The front seats are large and comfortable. If you think comfort is something you have already experienced, then maybe you need to sit in this new S-Class to experience optimum luxury. The large and soft seats cocoon around you and pamper you with the high-quality leather and also ensure that you do not move much in your seat when going through winding roads. 

Again, rethink. The front seats are extremely cosy, but once you get into the rear seat, the whoosh of wows will gush out of even the most of dyspeptic personalities. We believe the Royal Queen might want this as her new throne, it is so comfortable that we didn’t feel like stepping out even for once. This comfort enhances as the seat also has AC and different types of massages. Mercedes-Benz has designed the perfect throne for its King customer. There is 530 litres of space for mi’lord wishes to carry any luggage. 

The equipment list on the new S-Class is never ending. You can get everything made as per your taste. The COMAND system is now connected to the internet too, and there is a WLAN HotSpot. The S-Class App is compatible on iOS and Android devices to control massage, seat AC etc from the phone if you don’t wish to use the remote. Apart from 360 camera, infrared night vision, digital dials, parking assist, the new S-Class has temperature controlled cup holders, folding tables, illuminated storage space, two high-resolution TFT screens at the rear and one in the front. Burmester surround sound system with a total of 24 speakers producing 1540W of sound.

The tweeters adjust move in and out of the loop, and they adjust their distance as per the sound outside. The door has the soft close and you can even open the boot with proximity and without using your hands if they are full. One swipe with your leg under the boot and it will open and close for you.

Engine and Transmission:

The engine on the S-Class is a 4663cc petrol engine that has bi-turbos and it produces 449bhp of power and 700Nm of whopping torque. Agreed the S-Class is heavy, agreed the engine size is small. But all these questions are answered when you get behind the wheel. The acceleration of this engine is mid-blowing and despite being about 2 tonnes the S-Class can sprint from naught to 100Ks in under 6 seconds. This is the biggest engine on offer, but still it is so quick. Despite being a 4.6-litre it produces 700Nm of torque, which is equivalent to what the 5.5-litre supercharged G55 produced. The power produced by this engine is insane and despite the so good insulation, you can feel the acceleration pulse when you blip the throttle. There is a gush of boundless power when both the turbos kick in. The engine is also freely revving and very low on NVH. This is a 7G-TRONIC 7 PLUS self-shifting transmission. Now, the S-Class has been designed for comfort and hence shifts are also smooth when in comfort. Once you move into Sport, the shifts are quicker and even the throttle response is much better. 

Driving Dynamics:

Mercedes-Benz is known for its comfort and plush ride quality, the ride suppleness on the V222 is just excellent. There is no match for this in the flagship sedan segment yet as Mercedes-Benz has upped its ante and raised the bar extremely high for the competition. The S-Class has always been very comfortable and there is no doubt that the current generation is the best of the lot. The thinner tyre profile also doesn’t affect the ride to that extent as the suspension absorbs all the road shocks. It feels like you are gliding in a business-class flight. The AIRMATIC suspension does a whimsical job.

The S-Class is gigantic and there is no hiding in this fact. You feel that the moment you get back the wheel. The response from the chassis is good and you do feel that it is a tad heavier than what it should be, especially when you push it around bends. Else it is an extremely fantastic car to drive, even though most of the things are make for people sitting behind. The steering is light and effortless, but it is responsive and the saloon does do a good job around the bends. 

Verdict:

The S-Class is definitely leaps and bounds ahead of its previous generation and even the competition. The cost will be a tad higher than the previous car, but you also get a lot more frills and comfort levels are higher too. If you need a car to just sit back in, and aren’t worried about the cost, the S-Class is the ultimate pick.