Crafted from the finest materials and bristling with innovative information display and comfort features, the interior of the eagerly anticipated 2014 S-Class suggests that the new car may well continue the tradition of Mercedes dominating the grand saloon segment.
Cabin craftsmanship:
The new car’s facia features a strongly horizontal theme with a U-shaped curve towards a lower apex to break up its visual weight and create a dual cockpit appearance. A combination of leather trim, a wealth of wood finishes solid aluminum and “metalized” (Mercedes parlance for chrome-effect) controls suggests that the S-Class has moved even further upmarket, possibly to fill the void left by the departure of the sumptuous but ill-received Maybach brand.
The pictured cabin appears to be and example of a long-wheelbase model setup with electrically adjustable seats that can recline by 43 degrees and a rear infotainment system with dual TFT multimedia screens.
Dual displays:
A furlong of leather, wood and chromed trim aside, the most prominent feature of the 2014 S-Class’s cabin has to be the pair of sizeable TFT screens occupying a good deal of real estate on that sweeping facia. One of them operates in lieu of analogue speedometer and ancillary dials, while the other forms the graphic interface of an infotainment and vehicle management system.
This fifth-generation of the firm’s Comand interface required 30 million lines of programming code, is powered by an Intel Atom processor (the sort commonly found in laptop computers) and features Google Maps-assisted sat-nav. The system is currently capable of supporting Apple iOs-based apps, but Android compatibility is in the pipeline.
Like previous Comand systems, this latest iteration eschews a touchscreen interface in favour of a dial-based input module with a plethora of shortcut buttons sited in a centre console recess.
Uprated audio:
Mercedes’s looks set to eclipse Lexus’s 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system by replacing its traditional Bang & Olufsen set-up for a Bermester system. In its range-topping guise, this system features 24 speakers with a 1 500 watt overall output.
Aromatherapy massage:
The seats can be specified with a six-setting massage function that utilises no less than 14 airbags and targeted heating elements that are meant to simulate a hot stone treatment…seriously.
There’s also a cubby-based fragrance atomizer system that can waft a choice of four scents (freeside, sports, downtown and nightlife) through the cabin in five-minute cycles.
Shhhh:
Noise suppression is a key feature in the new car with Mercedes engineers revealing that 150 components are specifically targeted at noise cancellation.
Safe as Bauhauses:
As mentioned before, the S-Class is something of a new safety feature showcase. Among the new additions are airbags integrated into the seatbelts to reduce thoracic injuries and a “cushionbag” system on reclining-rear-seat-equipped models that prevents occupants from sliding beneath said belts.
The 2014 S-Class is due for its official unveiling in May, but it appears that a crafty spy photographer has snapped a totally uncovered example during a film shoot. Check out the pictures at WorldCarFans.com.
