The bigger, bolder Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a technological masterpiece by all accounts, has officially been launched in South Africa.The bigger, bolder S-Class, a technological masterpiece by all accounts, has officially been launched in South Africa.
The W221 is the most progressively-styled S-Class to date… The front aspect of the car is characterised by sensuous headlights, bold triangular foglights and a sporty bumper. The car’s rear was inspired by the Maybach and is more conservative than the front, however. Inside, the interior is finished in lavish wood and chrome, with brushed aluminium switchgear and a square analogue clock.
The new Mercedes-Benz grand saloon is larger than its predecessor in every respect. At 5 076 mm, the new model is 33 millimetres longer than the previous S-Class. The wheelbase has also increased by 70 mm to 3 035 mm, while the body is also 16 mm wider and 29 mm higher than before. The boot capacity has increased by 60 litres to 560 litres, shoulder- and elbow-room is up by 39 mm and headroom gains 5 mm.
Moreover, the new S-Class will offer the following goodies – Brake Assist PLUS with adaptive brake light and radar sensors, night view assist system with the latest infra-red technology to the new Comand system, second-generation Pre-Safe occupant protection with additional functions to Parking Assist with reversing camera, Distronic Plus, Electric parking brake and dynamic multicontour seats with a new massage function and crash-responsive high-comfort head restraints.
Under the sheet metal, the Sindelfingen-based manufacturer has combined the Airmatic suspension system with the an Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which continuously regulates the shock absorber characteristics and takes the road conditions, driving style and vehicle load into account. The "S/C/M" button enables the driver to alter the characteristics of the saloon from "comfortable" to "sporty", and to adjust the suspension, vehicle level and transmission mode individually. From 120 km/h and in the sport mode, the suspension is automatically lowered by up to 20 mm to further improve handling, aerodynamics and fuel consumption.
In terms of the S-Class’ engine lineup, a 285 kW 5,5-litre V8, which produces 530 N.m. of torque between 2 800 and 4 800 r/min, makes its début in the S500. Mercedes claims the new S500 will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5,4 seconds (previous model: 6,3 seconds). The 200 kW V6 engine fitted to the S350 is said to deliver about “11 per cent more power while saving one litre of fuel per 100 km” and accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7,3 seconds. And finally, the S320 CDI, powered by a new 173 kW V6 direct-injection, third-generation common-rail turbodiesel engine develops 540 N.m of torque between 1 600 and 2 800 r/min.
The output of the range-topping 5,5-litre turbocharged V12 in the top-of-the-range S 600 (it will be added to the South African lineup later this year) has increased to 380 kW, while torque has increased by 4 per cent to 830 N.m at 1 900 r/min.
The V6 and V8 models are fitted with the 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission with Direct Select, which allows drivers to change gears via a the steering-column selector lever. (continues)
| Technical highlights of the new S-Class | |
| Active Light System: The headlamps follow the driver’s steering
movements. |
Standard |
| ADAPTIVE BRAKE: This newly developed braking system assists the
driver when moving off on gradients and in city traffic. |
Standard |
| Adaptive brake lights: Flashing brake lights warn vehicles behind
in an emergency braking situation. |
Standard |
| Adaptive front airbags: The front airbags deploy in two stages,
depending on accident severity. |
Standard |
| Aerodynamics: With a Cd-value of only 0,26, the new S-Class is
among the most aerodynamically efficient cars. |
Standard |
| AIRMATIC: The air suspension system has been developed further
for improved comfort and dynamism. It works together with the Adaptive Damping System. |
Standard |
| Aluminium: The doors, bonnet, front wings, boot lid and other components
are made from this lightweight material. |
Standard |
| Automatic climate control: This newly developed system has four
temperature zones and offers numerous adjustments for individual climatic comfort. |
Standard |
| Belt force limiters: This technology reduces the belt forces acting
on the occupants during a crash. |
Standard for the front and outer rear seats |
| Belt tensioners: Seat belt slack is instantly taken up during a
crash. |
Standard for all seats |
| Bi-xenon headlamps: Gas-discharge lamps for dipped and high beam
improve safety at night. |
Standard |
| Brake Assist PLUS: This radar-based system recognises potential
rear-end collisions and calculates the brake servo assistance required to prevent an accident. Optimal brake pressure is immediately available. |
Optional in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS |
| Child seat recognition: A transponder system automatically recognises
whether a rear-facing child seat is installed, and deactivates the front passenger airbag if this is the case. |
Standard |
| COMAND: The system integrates operation of the radio, DVD-player
and telephone. |
Standard |
| Cornering light: More safety at junctions and when travelling at
low speed through tight bends. |
Standard in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps |
| Crash boxes: Impact-absorbing elements in the front end can be
inexpensively replaced following a minor crash. |
Standard |
| Crash sensors: Eleven sensors supply data about the type and severity
of the impact during an accident. They include front sensors positioned well forward, pressure sensors in the doors and a rollover sensor. |
Standard |
| DISTRONIC PLUS: This improved proximity control system brakes the
S-Class to a standstill in stop-and-go traffic. |
Optional |
| Dynamic multicontour seat: Thanks to new piezo valves, the seat
responds to steering movements even more quickly and provides perfect lateral support. |
Optional |
| Ecology: The new S-Class is the first car to have an environmental
certification. |
Standard |
| ESP®: This safety system has new functions such as trailer stabilisation
and warns of pressure loss in the tyres. |
Standard |
| Headlamp Assist: A sensor on the windscreen detects failing light
and automatically switches on the headlamps. |
Standard |
| High-tech steel: High-strength and ultra high-strength steels improve
safety and rigidity. Half of all the bodyshell components are made from such high-tech steels. |
Standard |
| KEYLESS-GO: The doors and boot lid can be opened without a key. | Optional S 350 / S 320 CDI, Standard S 500 |
| LINGUATRONIC: The voice control system operates the radio, navigation
system and telephone. |
Standard |
| Massage function: Seven air chambers in the backrest are inflated
and deflated in sequence to massage back muscles. |
Optional in conjunction With dynamic multicontour seats |
| Multicontour seat: Air chambers enable the seat contours to be
adjusted to the individual occupant. |
Standard |
| Multifunction steering wheel: Steering wheel keys are used to control
the radio, telephone, navigation system and other units. |
Standard |
| Navigation: The data for the navigation system COMAND APS are stored
on a hard disc, making even faster route calculation possible. |
Optional |
| NECK-PRO: The sensor-controlled front head restraints are moved
forward during a rear-end collision. |
Standard |
| Night view assist: Infrared headlamps and a cockpit display considerably
improve the driver’s vision at night. |
Optional in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps |
| Paintwork: Nano-technology makes the paintwork more scratch-resistant
and ensures a glossier sheen. |
Standard |
| Park assist: This system assists the driver when parking and warns
of an impending collision when reversing. |
Optional in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS |
| Parking brake: The motorised parking brake is easy to operate. | Standard |
| Pedestrian protection: Mercedes-Benz has designed the bonnet, wings,
bumpers and other components so that they absorb impact energy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. |
Standard |
| PRE-SAFE®: Anticipatory safety measures are taken to protect the
occupants if an accident risk is detected. |
Standard |
| Reversing camera: The area behind the S-Class is shown in the COMAND
display, and coloured directional lines show a precisely calculated path into a parking space. |
Optional |
| Seat ventilation: This further improved technology is based on
six fans in the seat cushion and backrest. |
Standard |
| Seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC: The world’s only
automatic car transmission with seven ratios is combined with DIRECT SELECT electronic control. |
Standard |
| Sidebags: These side airbags (front and rear) reduce the risk of
injury in a lateral collision. |
Standard |
| Sound system: A multi-channel system with innovative digital technology
provides surround-sound on every seat. |
Optional S 320 CDI / |
| TV reception: The tuner capable of receiving both digital TV programmes
and analogue broadcasts. |
Optional |
| Windowbags: This large airbag extends from the A to the C-pillar
like a curtain during a crash, reducing the risk of head injuries. |
Standard |
Prices
S350 R715 000
S320 CDI R735 000
S500 R895 000.
