Merc S-Class: The Flagship of flagships

Of Mercedes-Benz’s many automobile strains, the S-Class is particular. Not simply because it’s known as the most effective automobile on the earth or as a result of it’s the model’s flagship sedan. But in addition as a result of, usually, it’s the first to get new security and efficiency tech, which later trickles right down to the smaller automobiles in Merc’s portfolio.

The S-Class should have additionally been the hardest to promote to youthful consumers, given its historic choice amongst most older consumers who needed to remain cosseted on the rear seat. In actual fact, the S-Class remains to be in all probability chauffeur-driven in lots of the markets that it’s widespread in. So, a few weeks in the past, once I was handed the keys to the 2021 S 400d 4MATIC, I used to be genuinely in a dilemma. Wouldn’t it be higher to stretch out on one of many two business-class fashion rear seats or ought to I get behind the wheel first? My itchy palms directed me to the driving force’s seat.

Design

One of many first options of the brand new 2021 S-Class that strikes me is its dimension. That is one lengthy automobile (5.3 metres), and its wheelbase at a bit over 3.2 metres was intimidating once I thought of among the Mumbai roads I used to be going to have to barter. However, understanding that adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering are a part of the package deal places my thoughts comfortable. This new technology S-Class, internally named V223, has grown on all sides. It’s longer, wider and taller; additionally it is extra spacious within the cabin with much more headroom than the outgoing mannequin. After all, what you’re watching is the lengthy wheelbase S-Class, which is especially widespread on this a part of the world.

The design of the S-Class stays understated and follows basic Merc design strains. The lengthy bonnet, the prolonged passenger cell with the humongous rear door and the coupe-like swish strains that adorn the rear-end are basic S-Class design components. It continues to exude the identical minimalist, but elegant facet profile that the earlier generations have additionally been recognized for.

The adjustments that make an announcement within the 2021 mannequin are the retracting seize door handles and the brand new 20-inch AMG alloys. The headlamps and the tail-lamps have change into smaller total, however have gained huge tech inputs making them formidable in performance; particularly the entrance digital mild lamps. These principally behave like a compact projector of sunshine beams with a number of varieties and features built-in into an extremely compact type. These are future-proofed for different features together with projecting warnings on the street and lighting up solely particular sections of the street for alerting the driving force.

Cabin

The inside of the brand new S-Class offers off a vibe of sophistication with out even making an attempt too laborious. It’s a clear cabin that’s dominated by one large 12.8-inch OLED contact display screen within the centre stack that has eradicated 27 laborious keys, and but, it doesn’t make the dashboard appear like that of a home equipment. The sprint structure is neither minimalist nor busy. However, a cultured mixture of supplies like piano lacquered, black poplar wooden trim, aluminium and leather-based come collectively to present the complete cabin a heat and splendid really feel. The stitched, perforated leather-based seats look completely inviting; after all, even on the rear. There’s {an electrical}, motorised adjustment for actually each conceivable management factor within the cabin. Even the aircon vents characteristic particular person buttons to regulate air stream.

The lively ambient lighting, the flat-bottom, leather-based clad steering wheel, the 3D instrument cluster show and the Burmester sound system with 31 audio system and eight exciters (for tingling the spines of the occupants) are all options price experiencing. There’s an additional lengthy record of different options, together with each creature consolation that you can imagine; however I’m going to should allow you to uncover them if you’re available in the market for a flagship luxurious automobile. The S-Class is a 4-seater actually, though it has a seat belt for the center occupant within the rear seat. The rear seat is the place the true ‘S-perience’ could be had. With therapeutic massage features and energising packages, which activate a number of options together with fragrance dispersal by way of the aircon vents and soothing music via the audio system, the rear seat expertise within the S is unparalleled. There are 5 screens together with the 2 rear seat leisure screens, the rear armrest management touchscreen, the central display screen and the digital instrument cluster. The brand new S-Class additionally will get a bunch of related automobile options and the brand new seventh technology package deal for the MBUX infotainment system.

Efficiency

The brand new S-Class is obtainable with one diesel and one petrol engine. The S 450 4MATIC options the 3-litre, 6-cylinder petrol engine that generates 367hp of peak energy and 500Nm of torque. The S 400d variant sports activities the two,925cc, in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine that we have now seen within the S-Class earlier than. This has been up to date, and delivers 330hp of peak energy and 700Nm of peak torque from a extremely low 1,200rpm. This engine could be very refined, and really quiet till one is revving laborious or doing double downshifts at excessive speeds. The diesel doesn’t get the 48-volt, parallel-assist system that the petrol engine will get. Each engines are paired to Merc’s 9G-TRONIC computerized transmission.

The S-Class will not be meant to be thrown into corners and pushed on the edge. Although its steering is exact and it has Sport, Sport+ and Particular person drive modes to select from (altering suspension, steering and gearbox traits), it’s not constructed to deal with observe degree efficiency like an AMG could be. As an alternative, the ‘S’ is greatest skilled at a leisurely tempo, wafting over potholes and damaged tarmac. The one time I used to be braking laborious and slowing down was once I needed to drive gingerly over pace breakers. But, the brand new S-Class can nonetheless pack a punch with its acceleration within the straights. Late for that board assembly? Flooring the pedal and the S 400d’s acceleration can sink you additional into that recliner fashion rear seat whereas it does a dash to the ton in 5.4 seconds. Along with the cabin being so centered on pampering the rear seat occupants, Airmatic suspension takes the sport a notch greater. In case you are sitting behind the wheel and fretting about these tight U-turns in crowded streets, rear axle steering, which may flip the rear wheels by upto 4.5-degrees, may also help miraculously decrease the turning radius. It is going to additionally come in useful should you intend to have a little bit of enjoyable on a winding hilly street.

Backside Line

The brand new S-Class is so loaded with motorised controls, and sensors that consistently monitor the environment of the automobile, that I used to be left questioning usually if the automobile was warning me to guard ‘itself’ from harm. However, the brand new S-Class additionally tops the lists with its vary of lively and passive security tools, which incorporates rear seat airbags that launch from the backrest of the entrance seats. It additionally will get a giant record of different Merc Pre-Protected options and driver help techniques.

The brand new S-Class retails for about ₹2.2 crore (ex-showroom). It’s packed to the gills with new know-how and luxurious options. The primary batch of allocations are already bought out. However you possibly can be among the many few that internet one subsequent time.