In an SUV-crazed world, it's comforting to know that Mercedes-Benz hasn't forgotten
about the pinnacle of its passenger car range, the S-Class. A new S-Class has arrived in Australia,
and we're here in the Yarra Valley to learn more about it.
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The Mercedes-Benz S-Class can trace its direct lineage back to the 1970s,
but there's nothing last century about this new model. Prices are markedly higher, but there's
more standard equipment, and a second generation of the advanced MBUX infotainment system,
plus the dynamic safety of all-wheel drive and optional rear-wheel steer. Although the
new S-Class takes some frontal styling cues from the A-Class and the upcoming C-Class,
there's no missing this large dominating grille, which marks this car as the luxury flagship of the
range. Yet, the new S-Class is more aerodynamic and larger than before. The flanks retain the
trademark Ponton design theme although Benz is steering away from that label these days,
and that theme has been toned down for this new generation of S-Class. Note the recessed door
handles and the narrower, distinctive, new tail lights, which now extend inboard to the boot lid.
An S-Class Mercedes would not be worthy of the name, if it didn't
cocoon the driver and passengers in the lap of luxury, and this new generation S-Class
doesn't deviate from the script. It's longer and wider, with more rear-seat legroom than before,
but it's the sophisticated equipment on board that will have prospective buyers
signing a contract of sale. The second generation of the MBUX infotainment system
offers users gesture control and runs through a 12.8-inch OLED display. There's also active
ambient lighting and augmented reality head-up display, and seats that massage the passengers
and keep them at precisely the right temperature. But it's probably the
mind-blowing 3D effect of the instrument cluster that will delight first-time users. Rear-seat
passengers enjoy the full gamut of relaxed, luxury motoring in the rear of the S-Class.
There's plenty of legroom available even in the short-wheelbase version. Rear-seat royalty will
be master or mistress of their own domain, with a host of all the standard features to be expected,
including adjustable seats with massaging function, and two climate-controlled zones.
In keeping with the larger dimensions of the new S-Class,
the Mercedes has an extra 20 litres of boot space. So we've established
that the new S-Class is a relaxing and hospitable environment for passengers,
but is the driver short changed? Only one powertrain will be initially available, this
3.0-litre, inline, six-cylinder, turbo-charged petrol engine, which will take fans of the Merc
to the good old days before that business with V-configuration engines from the '90s.
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The engine produces its peak power in a narrow band quite high in the rev range,
but torque is across a much wider band, low in the rev range where it's most useful.
And the turbo-charged petrol engine's output is supplemented by the mild hybrid electric motor,
providing an extra 16 kilowatts and 250 Newton-metres for a zero to 100 time of
just 5.1 seconds. The downside of owning a big passenger sedan like the S-Class,
is that such a vehicle is not normally a joy to drive. But the S-Class does find a line between
too cushy and too engaging. Naturally, the S-Class provides safe cornering and braking,
but it does so with a degree of satisfaction for the driver if the driver is so inclined.
All-wheel drive allows you to use all the S Class's performance whether it's around a corner
without inducing oversteer or in a straight line or for stability at higher speeds on freeways.
Ultimately, all-wheel drive should ensure higher levels of straight-line stability too
if you're travelling at high speeds on public roads as the Germans are accustomed to doing.
And if your usual driving regime is open-road touring, the S-Class is more than quiet enough
to pick the individual woodwind instruments in your favourite symphonic piece. If there is one
particular aspect of the S-Class that has held true down through its previous six generations,
it's this. The S-Class is a very serene environment for long-distance touring,
yet it won't put you to sleep. And that remains the case for S-Class seven also.
It's a cliche to say so, but the new Mercedes Benz S-Class is a technological tour de force,
and practically, every technological element has some ergonomic purpose in mind, either comfort
or physical safety. Just reading a spec list for a car like the Mercedes S-Class, it's easy to arrive
at the conclusion that it's so much technological overkill. But get behind the wheel of the car,
or better yet, sit in the back seat, and you realise what a masterpiece this car is.