Currently reading: S-class to 'redefine cabins'
Cleaner, technology-packed interior for Merc's next-gen luxury saloon, due in 2013

Mercedes-Benz says the next-generation S-class’s interior will set “new standards” of both design and quality when it goes on sale in 2013.

The new luxury saloon will carry over no cabin architecture from existing models. But hints of its design can be seen in the F800 Style concept revealed at the Geneva motor show in March.

Like the F800, the new S-class will have a much cleaner cabin with far fewer hard switches than it does currently. Expect it to be freer of artificial-looking materials, with greater use of contoured, marine-style wood and aluminium.

“This car [the F800] will have a really big influence on our production cars,” says Jürgen Hirsch, Mercedes’ concept manager. Key to the reduction in switchgear is a new control interface, which uses an iPhone-style touch-screen.

A raft of new technology will make its debut on the new S-class. Essential to much of it is the introduction of a pair of forward-facing video cameras in the rear-view mirror console.

Complementing the existing forward radar, the stereo cameras’ reading of the road will allow the introduction of Magic Ride Control, a damping system that Mercedes expects will reduce body movements by 50 per cent. They’ll also be used to identify vulnerable pedestrians and allow the introduction of a low-speed cruise control that also has the ability to take over the steering in certain situations.

 

Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

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RadeB 5 November 2010

Re: S-class to 'redefine cabins'

Leslie Brook wrote:
Great to see the Austin Allegro `quartic' steering wheel making a welcome return.

I'll bet in my cat that the steering wheel in S class will not look like it's shown in this concept.

Arcord 5 November 2010

Re: S-class to 'redefine cabins'

I dont want that...I want to drive my car, not to ride it in the driver's seat...

I am really scared of the day when all the driving will be taken over by damn computers...and unfortunately that day is coming

Peter Cavellini 5 November 2010

Re: S-class to 'redefine cabins'

Mercedes Phantom!?,looks like it to me, as for the interior, which planet does this spaceship come from?, looks like something fron Area 51, it's just too futuristic, a very narrow market for cabins layed out like this, i hope.