Facelift (What's New)
Addition of intelligent Drive, which enables semi-autonomous driving
New 19-inch alloys
Multibeam LED headlamps with longe-range high beam
Redesigned radiator grille and larger air intakes
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is without a doubt the standard-bearer of the luxury limo club and has always served as a flagship model for Mercedes-Benz.
From the W220 series that debuted Active Ventilated Seats to the W221 series that enhanced the brand's safety standards with the addition of its then-latest pre-collision system, each S-Class model has always premiered the newest innovations and advancements for the brand.
But while the outgoing S-Class was still relatively competitive against its newer rivals, such as the Audi A8, the BMW 7 Series, the Lexus LS and the Porsche Panamera, an update was beginning to seem necessary, especially in the tech department.
The key improvements of the updated S-Class include the addition of Intelligent Drive, which enables Mercedes' top dog to take a major step towards autonomous driving.
Mercedes has given its flagship S-Class better styling and smarter tech to give it an even sharper edge
Smarter, safer Sonderklasse
With new and considerably extended driving assistance functions, the cruise control will now slow the car down and steer it accordingly within its lane when approaching bends, before accelerating back to the set speed.
It's also able to sense and maintain a safe gap from the car in front when traffic slows down, which varies by speed and setting all the way down to a stop, all while keeping the car in its lane.
However, apart from that impressive tech, the S-Class is as rewarding for the driver as a carousel pony ride. It's neither as fleet-footed as an A8, as dynamic as a 7 Series nor as full of panache as a Panamera although it steers directly and precisely enough, and maintains good body control.
The semi-autonomous aids now support the driver even more conveniently in keeping a safe distance and steering
But no one really buys an S-Class for the driving experience, no?
But what it lacks in driving engagement, it makes up for with unrivalled placidity and ride suppleness, of which it delivers in spades. Its air suspension glides over surface undulations, and little of the road's imperfections really ever manage to rupture the cabin's bubble of repose.
From the W220 series that debuted Active Ventilated Seats to the W221 series that enhanced the brand's safety standards with the addition of its then-latest pre-collision system, each S-Class model has always premiered the newest innovations and advancements for the brand.
But while the outgoing S-Class was still relatively competitive against its newer rivals, such as the Audi A8, the BMW 7 Series, the Lexus LS and the Porsche Panamera, an update was beginning to seem necessary, especially in the tech department.
The key improvements of the updated S-Class include the addition of Intelligent Drive, which enables Mercedes' top dog to take a major step towards autonomous driving.
Smarter, safer Sonderklasse
With new and considerably extended driving assistance functions, the cruise control will now slow the car down and steer it accordingly within its lane when approaching bends, before accelerating back to the set speed.
It's also able to sense and maintain a safe gap from the car in front when traffic slows down, which varies by speed and setting all the way down to a stop, all while keeping the car in its lane.
However, apart from that impressive tech, the S-Class is as rewarding for the driver as a carousel pony ride. It's neither as fleet-footed as an A8, as dynamic as a 7 Series nor as full of panache as a Panamera although it steers directly and precisely enough, and maintains good body control.
But no one really buys an S-Class for the driving experience, no?
But what it lacks in driving engagement, it makes up for with unrivalled placidity and ride suppleness, of which it delivers in spades. Its air suspension glides over surface undulations, and little of the road's imperfections really ever manage to rupture the cabin's bubble of repose.
Just as smooth as the way it floats over tarmac is the way its bi-turbo V6 and nine-speed transmission delivers its 268bhp and 400Nm of torque.
With a century sprint timing of 7.1 seconds, the S320L we tested is perfectly capable of getting along quite quickly, although by sheltering you from the outside world, you never feel like the car is in a rush.
Its gutsy V6 is well capable of keeping the S-Class ahead at the lights while still being smooth and refined
Oh and there's that business-class cabin
And needless to say, it packs enough luxe for one to hope the journey isn't hurried. Apart from the new high-resolution display screens, the S-Class' cabin is largely the same rich environment, made up of dark wood veneer and Nappa upholstery.
The seats offer unrivalled comfort, switchgear fit and finish is excellent, and the leather everywhere else is painstakingly well presented.
Rounding up the update are multi-beam LED headlamps with long-range high beam, 19-inch alloys, a chrome radiator grille and larger air intakes.
Subtle updates to the exterior, which include cool multibeam LED headlamps, round up the faceliftInside and out, the new S-Class is a marked improvement over its predecessor and still arguably one of the best full-size luxury rigs in the market. It is perhaps Mercedes' way of sticking it to its rivals and letting them know that it is still capable of being the leader of the band.
With a century sprint timing of 7.1 seconds, the S320L we tested is perfectly capable of getting along quite quickly, although by sheltering you from the outside world, you never feel like the car is in a rush.
Oh and there's that business-class cabin
And needless to say, it packs enough luxe for one to hope the journey isn't hurried. Apart from the new high-resolution display screens, the S-Class' cabin is largely the same rich environment, made up of dark wood veneer and Nappa upholstery.
The seats offer unrivalled comfort, switchgear fit and finish is excellent, and the leather everywhere else is painstakingly well presented.
Rounding up the update are multi-beam LED headlamps with long-range high beam, 19-inch alloys, a chrome radiator grille and larger air intakes.
