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 steeringmovements. | Standard |
| ADAPTIVE BRAKE: This newly developed braking system assists thedriver when moving off on gradients and in city traffic. | Standard |
| Adaptive brake lights: Flashing brake lights warn vehicles behindin 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 isamong the most aerodynamically efficient cars. | Standard |
| AIRMATIC: The air suspension system has been developed furtherfor improved comfort and dynamism. It works together with the Adaptive DampingSystem. | Standard |
| Aluminium: The doors, bonnet, front wings, boot lid and other componentsare made from this lightweight material. | Standard |
| Automatic climate control: This newly developed system has fourtemperature zones and offers numerous adjustments for individual climaticcomfort. | Standard |
| Belt force limiters: This technology reduces the belt forces actingon the occupants during a crash. | Standard for the front and outer rear seats |
| Belt tensioners: Seat belt slack is instantly taken up during acrash. | Standard for all seats |
| Bi-xenon headlamps: Gas-discharge lamps for dipped and high beamimprove safety at night. | Standard |
| Brake Assist PLUS: This radar-based system recognises potentialrear-end collisions and calculates the brake servo assistance required toprevent an accident. Optimal brake pressure is immediately available. | Optional in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS |
| Child seat recognition: A transponder system automatically recogniseswhether a rear-facing child seat is installed, and deactivates the frontpassenger airbag if this is the case. | Standard |
| COMAND: The system integrates operation of the radio, DVD-playerand telephone. | Standard |
| Cornering light: More safety at junctions and when travelling atlow speed through tight bends. | Standard in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps |
| Crash boxes: Impact-absorbing elements in the front end can beinexpensively replaced following a minor crash. | Standard |
| Crash sensors: Eleven sensors supply data about the type and severityof the impact during an accident. They include front sensors positionedwell forward, pressure sensors in the doors and a rollover sensor. | Standard |
| DISTRONIC PLUS: This improved proximity control system brakes theS-Class to a standstill in stop-and-go traffic. | Optional |
| Dynamic multicontour seat: Thanks to new piezo valves, the seatresponds to steering movements even more quickly and provides perfect lateralsupport. | Optional |
| Ecology: The new S-Class is the first car to have an environmentalcertification. | Standard |
| ESP®: This safety system has new functions such as trailer stabilisationand warns of pressure loss in the tyres. | Standard |
| Headlamp Assist: A sensor on the windscreen detects failing lightand automatically switches on the headlamps. | Standard |
| High-tech steel: High-strength and ultra high-strength steels improvesafety and rigidity. Half of all the bodyshell components are made fromsuch 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, navigationsystem and telephone. | Standard |
| Massage function: Seven air chambers in the backrest are inflatedand deflated in sequence to massage back muscles. | Optional in conjunction With dynamic multicontour seats |
| Multicontour seat: Air chambers enable the seat contours to beadjusted to the individual occupant. | Standard |
| Multifunction steering wheel: Steering wheel keys are used to controlthe radio, telephone, navigation system and other units. | Standard |
| Navigation: The data for the navigation system COMAND APS are storedon a hard disc, making even faster route calculation possible. | Optional |
| NECK-PRO: The sensor-controlled front head restraints are movedforward during a rear-end collision. | Standard |
| Night view assist: Infrared headlamps and a cockpit display considerablyimprove the driver’s vision at night. | Optional in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps |
| Paintwork: Nano-technology makes the paintwork more scratch-resistantand ensures a glossier sheen. | Standard |
| Park assist: This system assists the driver when parking and warnsof 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 eventof a collision with a pedestrian. | Standard |
| PRE-SAFE®: Anticipatory safety measures are taken to protect theoccupants if an accident risk is detected. | Standard |
| Reversing camera: The area behind the S-Class is shown in the COMANDdisplay, and coloured directional lines show a precisely calculated pathinto a parking space. | Optional |
| Seat ventilation: This further improved technology is based onsix fans in the seat cushion and backrest. | Standard |
| Seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC: The world’s onlyautomatic car transmission with seven ratios is combined with DIRECT SELECTelectronic control. | Standard |
| Sidebags: These side airbags (front and rear) reduce the risk ofinjury in a lateral collision. | Standard |
| Sound system: A multi-channel system with innovative digital technologyprovides surround-sound on every seat. | Optional S 320 CDI / |
| TV reception: The tuner capable of receiving both digital TV programmesand analogue broadcasts. | Optional |
| Windowbags: This large airbag extends from the A to the C-pillarlike a curtain during a crash, reducing the risk of head injuries. | Standard |
Prices
S350 R715 000
S320 CDI R735 000
S500 R895 000.
