Carbon-fiber missiles with horse or bull badges might attract
more attention, but few cars command the respect of an S-class. Mercedes-Benz’s flagship is globally recognized as the unofficial—except in cases where it’s official—transport of powerful people on all three sides of the law: right, wrong, and above. Its flawless comportment, industry-leading technological suite, and lavish interior have made the S-class an icon. But buyers in this market are uncompromising by their very nature. For 2014, the regal Benz gets redesigned with more of everything that makes it the preferred transport for diplomats, despots, and Kardashians.
more attention, but few cars command the respect of an S-class. Mercedes-Benz’s flagship is globally recognized as the unofficial—except in cases where it’s official—transport of powerful people on all three sides of the law: right, wrong, and above. Its flawless comportment, industry-leading technological suite, and lavish interior have made the S-class an icon. But buyers in this market are uncompromising by their very nature. For 2014, the regal Benz gets redesigned with more of everything that makes it the preferred transport for diplomats, despots, and Kardashians.
CONSTRUCTION
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Mercedes tells us that the S-class’s platform is “entirely redesigned,” but given that the wheelbase and overall length are the same as its predecessor’s down to a tenth of an inch, we’re sure at least some things haven’t changed. Legroom was never an issue, though, so that’s fine with us. The body shell and the suspension systems now incorporate a greater percentage of aluminum. The lighter materials help trim about 200 pounds from the car, even as it grows a smidge wider (1.1 inches) and taller (0.8 inch). As before, while other markets will have the choice of short- and long-wheelbase S-classes, Americans will get only the long one.
It’s hard to find fault with Mercedes’ current engine portfolio, so it’s hard to find fault with the decision not to alter it much for the new S-class. The S550 will still be powered by the twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8, which gains 20 horsepower for a total of 449. Torque remains at 516 pound-feet. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission. As with theE63, the S63 AMG will be available only with all-wheel drive; its twin-turbo 5.5-liter now makes 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet. That’s 14 more horses than last year’s optional Performance package. When the rear-drive, V-12–powered S600 and S65 AMG join the stable next year, tire smokers will be able to spark up with as much as 738 pound-feet. And while there’s no official word yet, more-responsible torque fiends can bet on the diesel-six S350 BlueTec also making a repeat appearance. The S400 hybrid will return, too.POWERTRAIN
With Maybach out of the picture, the S-class will have to do battle not only with its traditional competitors, but Rolls-Royce and Bentley as well. (Even when Maybach was in the picture, the S-class was taking the lead in that arena anyway.) Its interior is even more sumptuous than its predecessor’s, with stitched leather that you can practically smell in photos, rich woods, and touches like piano-key HVAC controls, organ pulls for the main air vents, and an available pop-up tray table between the rear seats.
Of all the great arms races in the automotive industry, perhaps the least predictable concerns luxury-car interior trimmings. Rolls offers a headliner studded with LEDs to mimic a starry sky. Genuine granite trim is an option in the outgoing S-class (and we’re told it’s a possibility this time around). The next frontier: a rechargeable scent diffuser hidden in the Benz’s glove box. Mercedes calls the fragrances “moods” and will offer four: Sports, Nightlife, Downtown, and Freeside. Sadly, none smells like beer and pretzels. The massaging seats have a hot-stone setting that uses a fast-acting heating element. And now that even the Chevy Malibu offers ambient lighting, the S-class has seven different colors, five dimming levels, and four dimming zones. A chauffeur package affixes a power-operated footrest to the right-rear seat. Along with the back-seat “cushionbag”, rear passengers in the S-class have inflatable seatbelts and motorized buckles that rise up out of the seat for easy access, and then retract. In total, there are more than 100 actuators and electric motors in the S-class.
DESIGN
In adapting its sculptural design language to the S-class, Mercedes created a car that is a little bit less formal but far more visually cohesive than the one it replaces. From some angles, the outgoing S resembles nothing so much as an Asian tiger shrimp styled by Mazda. From the first glimpse of its Escalade-sized grille, this new car leaves no doubt as to its identity. Fluid lines, sharp creases, an airy greenhouse, and C-pillars that taper into a trim and almost Maybach-esque tail lend the car a powerful shape. While the concave surfacing on the doors and the sculpting of the front fenders reduce the visual height from some angles, the new S-class never looks less than appropriately imposing.
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