The subtle touches, clever modifications, engineering enhancements, and the almost imperceptible styling changes that come together to inject new appeal into every car in the midst of a long life cycle are to be seen in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, first versions of which are arriving here in October.
Now, in its latest form, the S-Class has many new elements that distinguish it from its predecessor.
Described by Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz in Ireland, as a “technological masterclass” worthy of its place at the head of the Mercedes-Benz model range, the new S-Class will, he said, deliver “unbeatable levels of luxury, comfort, safety and enjoyment, whether driving or being driven”.
The new S-Class will come with industry-leading levels of standard and optional equipment. New is a slightly remodelled radiator grille, a redesigned lower bumper section, and LED headlamps with prominent ‘light torches’ that adjust to traffic conditions.
High-quality open-pore woods and leather-trimmed doors and upper body edges define the interior. Under a shared glass cover that forms a widescreen cockpit are two high-resolution 12.3-inch screen displays. Touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel give the driver control of functions. An infotainment system is operated via a centre console touchpad and by voice control that responds to more than 450 commands.
This latest S-Class comes equipped with a host of features that take it another big step closer to autonomous driving. Active Distance Control and Active Steering Assist help the driver to maintain a safe distance and steer while speed is adjusted automatically ahead of bends, junctions or roundabouts. For example, Active Distance Assist uses substantially more map, route information and navigation data to support the driver and adjust vehicle speed, appropriately.
Magic Body Control with Road Surface Scan is another function that recognises road bumps in advance and compensates for them, while another comfort enhancement, Curve Inclination Function, is available for the S-Class for the first time.
Infotainment features include a wireless, holder-free charging for mobiles, and a wider range of text messaging options, including the possibility to receive, send, forward, and use voice-to-text dictation.
The S-Class employs navigation data, traffic signs and information from the driving assistance systems to give advance notification of conditions ahead, well in time to allow the driver adopt an appropriate driving style.
New six-cylinder in-line S350d 4MATIC and S400d 4MATIC diesels, said to consume 7 per cent less fuel despite delivering added power, are the most powerful in Mercedes-Benz history. Four petrol versions will also be available at market launch: an S560, S560e (plug-in hybrid ), AMG S63, and AMG S65.
Contact Michael Moore Mercedes-Benz on (090 ) 6403000 for more details.
