There are sufficient safety features to fill an encyclopedia, although many – including the new rear belt bag, which incorporates an airbag within the belt strap, plus night vision and radar cruise control with an automatic braking function – are optional. The same goes for the extensive connectivity features, which are based around a WLAN Hot Spot head unit that now forms part of the multimedia system.
Start the S-class with its incongruously old-fashioned black plastic electronic key and the engine catches with a faint hum before you draw the shift lever down a notch and pull away. One of the main assets of the new car is its advanced suspension, and its uncanny ability to absorb bumps while providing a perfectly level ride can be felt well within the very first mile. It is also immediately obvious that noise suppression is exemplary.
The S 500 gathers speed with a degree of smoothness that underlines Mercedes’ efforts to make mechanical refinement a top priority. The aim was not merely to match the Audi A8, BMW 7-series and Jaguar XJ for driveline finesse but to attain similarly silken on-throttle qualities to the Silver Spur and Ghost. Less inherent sportiness, more indulging luxury is the clear message here.
There is sufficient power to endow the S 500 with solid acceleration, given a determined squeeze of the throttle. A claimed 0-62mph time of 4.8sec makes it 0.2sec quicker than its predecessor, and there’s terrific stability as you approach the limited 155mph top speed. The S-class spears along with a wonderfully nonchalant manner that will make it hard to beat as a trans-continental express.
That said, it feels just at home on a steady cruise at motorway speeds. Long gearing and reasonably strong reserves of torque provide a superbly relaxed yet flexible quality that makes the S-class as impressive from the driver’s seat as it is with your legs stretched out in the back. Backing up the improved response from the engine is enhanced operation of the gearbox, which, with revised electronic mapping, is more impressive than ever.
Yes, the performance and driveline refinement really are masterful. But the S-class’s crowning achievement is the way that it cossets its occupants. At both low speeds around town and higher speeds on the autobahn, it possesses superb primary and secondary ride and unflappable body control. Noise, vibration and harshness levels are also among the lowest I’ve ever come across.
Negatives? The speed-sensitive electro-mechanical steering, while providing a more confidence-inspiring feel with more weighting than the helm of the old S-class, sometimes feels synthetic and lacks conviction off centre. Perhaps it is a drawback of some of the technology that it has been engineered to support, including a highly effective lane-keeping function. It is nothing too off-putting – you can thread the new model along winding country roads with a solid degree of confidence – but in a car that excels in so many other areas, you’re left feeling that the steering could offer more feedback to allow you to better place it in corners.
A high parcel shelf and large rear seat headrests combine with an angled rear screen and more tapered C-pillars to limit rear vision. I get the feeling that the advent of systems such as blind spot control have allowed the designers more freedom at the expense of basics such as uninterrupted visibility. Boot capacity is reduced, too, and in a car of this size it really is an oversight. Beyond that and the somewhat ordinary ignition key, I’d be scratching for excuses. It is hard to see how you could improve it on many levels.
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Driving
no.1 benz
best car in the world again
Andrew 61
I bet that huge grill goes in
I bet that huge grill goes in the face lift, that alone would save 10g co2 at 50mph +15mph to the V max !
Randy Cam
Looks
Beautiful inside and out. That wood and leather inlayed steering wheel looks terrific.
Citytiger
As wonderful as it is, there
As wonderful as it is, there doesnt seem to be massive amounts of legroom in the rear for such a big car, in picture number 17, no one would be able to sit in front of the rear seat passenger, and the front seat is pushed so far forward, given the size of it, it would probably hinder the drivers already restricted vision, the boot opening is tiny and the boot itself looks an awkward shape, perhaps one is supposed to have ones luggage forwarded on to ones destination ;). Gas struts would have taken up less room than the massive lid hinges as well
Too much tech, and not enough basic common ergonomics, possibly over engineered, to the detriment of practicallity.
Randy Cam
Citytiger wrote:As
With a car like this, of course one doesn't (and i use the term loosely!) hump one's own luggage. One has it done for them. If this involves forwarding onto the next destination, then so be it. The film 'Arthur', Sir John Gielgud, Dudley Moore ring any bells.
Incidentally, having a lifetime of carrying other peoples luggage for them, maybe its what i was put on this earth to do! I can never seem to a find a flunky to carry mine when i need one.
toptidy
New S Class
It sounds impressive, but I don't like the look of the rear, especially the rear 3/4 view. Maybe chasing the low drag figure cost some of the boot space?
Citytiger probably has a point about tech-overkill at the cost of practicality, but that seems to be the current bandwagon.
I'm just amazed that a twin-turbo V8 has lower CO2 emissions than my 2000 Leon Cupra - it just proves the engineers can get massive CO2 reductions. While this will never save the planet it will save owners lining various Govt. coffers quite so generously.
artill
toptidy wrote: I'm just
Do you really think it uses less petrol than your Leon?
Rather than showing the massive CO2 reductions, doesnt it really show how well the engineers know how to 'pass' the test and how pointless it has become. None the less as you say, amazing such a figure can come from this with a V8 petrol engine in it.
Ray6O
A tool.
Sure, a car to be driven in. If you want to arrive, however, then you'll choose a Jag XJ.
Ray60
Ray6O wrote: Sure, a car to
Why would you choose the crappy XJ over this?
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