It's seldom the case where carmakers are able to find a sweet spot that's speedy, stylish and stingy in their hybrid vehicles.
However, German carmaker Mercedes-Benz may have found the answer to our problems. Competing against the Lexus LS600h Hybrid and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the new S-Class Hybrid that we have here is one of the best examples of a snazzy luxury car the brand can produce.
Served as the flagship model for Mercedes for over fifty years in its various incarnations, the S-Class has debuted many of the company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, comfort upgrades as well as safety systems.
And for the latest S-Class, it's no different.
Exterior
While the previous generation comes across as slightly bloated, thanks to swelled fenders and over-sculpted detailing, the current S-Class (codenamed W222) appears to be more dignified and athletic. Thus, it's more balanced and hunkered in a way its predecessor never accomplished before.
But the S-Class is more that just your improved looks. Technological advancement and the nature of relentless progression from the design team have brought the S-Class to a new realm of possibility. The headlamps, for starters, have over 110 LEDs while the taillights consist of some 70 LEDs (excluding rear fog lamps).
However, German carmaker Mercedes-Benz may have found the answer to our problems. Competing against the Lexus LS600h Hybrid and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the new S-Class Hybrid that we have here is one of the best examples of a snazzy luxury car the brand can produce.
Served as the flagship model for Mercedes for over fifty years in its various incarnations, the S-Class has debuted many of the company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, comfort upgrades as well as safety systems.
And for the latest S-Class, it's no different.
Exterior
While the previous generation comes across as slightly bloated, thanks to swelled fenders and over-sculpted detailing, the current S-Class (codenamed W222) appears to be more dignified and athletic. Thus, it's more balanced and hunkered in a way its predecessor never accomplished before.
But the S-Class is more that just your improved looks. Technological advancement and the nature of relentless progression from the design team have brought the S-Class to a new realm of possibility. The headlamps, for starters, have over 110 LEDs while the taillights consist of some 70 LEDs (excluding rear fog lamps).
While it's common to hear carmakers boast about their cars being the first in the world to achieve something, in this case the S-Class doing without a single light bulb in the car, it's another thing when the carmaker can actually achieve it.
Other than the bolder design, the dimensions of the car have been altered. At 5,246mm x 1,899mm x 1,496mm (L x W x H), the S-Class has grown in all directions. While this may affect driveability in a way or two, the wider front and rear tracks (24mm and 31mm wider than its predecessor) help to place the car on the tarmac with more confidence.
It's clear that Mercedes-Benz took the threat in the flagship segment seriously, considering the S-Class has been designed in such a way that will force brands like BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Bentley back to their drawing boards.
Other than the bolder design, the dimensions of the car have been altered. At 5,246mm x 1,899mm x 1,496mm (L x W x H), the S-Class has grown in all directions. While this may affect driveability in a way or two, the wider front and rear tracks (24mm and 31mm wider than its predecessor) help to place the car on the tarmac with more confidence.
It's clear that Mercedes-Benz took the threat in the flagship segment seriously, considering the S-Class has been designed in such a way that will force brands like BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Bentley back to their drawing boards.
Interior
Swinging open the heavy doors will lead you into a cabin that's everything more that what you can expect from a luxury carmaker.
From the classic-looking two-spoke steering wheel and abundance of soft leather to the two high-resolution 12.3-inch TFT colour displays and piano black rotary dial on the centre console, the cabin spells of glittering success over its segment peers.
The seats are supremely comfortable and well-presented as you'd envisage. Indulging towkays like no other car are matching pillows on the rear seats - something we haven't seen in a car in this segment before.
Swinging open the heavy doors will lead you into a cabin that's everything more that what you can expect from a luxury carmaker.
From the classic-looking two-spoke steering wheel and abundance of soft leather to the two high-resolution 12.3-inch TFT colour displays and piano black rotary dial on the centre console, the cabin spells of glittering success over its segment peers.
The seats are supremely comfortable and well-presented as you'd envisage. Indulging towkays like no other car are matching pillows on the rear seats - something we haven't seen in a car in this segment before.
But where the car really deserves a pat on the back is on the technological aspect. Again, like its exterior, the interior is filled with some 300 LEDs in it, including the strips of coloured ambient lighting that can glow in a choice of six cosy colours.
With the car's increased size, more passenger space is now available (14mm increase in knee room at the back), enhancing occupants' comfort. The downside, however, is that the luggage space has dropped a little from 560 litres to 510 litres.
With the car's increased size, more passenger space is now available (14mm increase in knee room at the back), enhancing occupants' comfort. The downside, however, is that the luggage space has dropped a little from 560 litres to 510 litres.
Drivetrain
While hybrid vehicles are usually eerily quiet, not all are capable of displaying rolling comfort and mechanical refinement. The S-Class, however, is engineered in such a way that it can move from a standstill with spectacular smoothness and ferocious fervour without a slightest hint of switch between pure electric to gasoline.
Thus, it shouldn't bother you one bit that the car, with maximum output of 306 horses and 370Nm of torque, finishes the century sprint a second slower than the ActiveHybrid 7. To put it into simpler terms, the Merc hybrid limo isn't a wild child looking to race.
On the go, intrusiveness from the outside world is down to bare minimum. You'll get a little road noise from the 19-inchers but it's neither disturbing nor disruptive in any way. Credit goes to the air suspension system, allowing the S400L Hybrid to glide over surface undulations. It's really quite easy to appreciate how polished this car actually is over already refined cars.
The only disappointment we have with the car is the lack of the technological breakthrough that's equipped only on the eight-cylinder S500 - Magic Body Control - the camera-based system that scans the road ahead and adjusts its suspension to minimise bumps and ruts to give occupants a superb comfort level.
While hybrid vehicles are usually eerily quiet, not all are capable of displaying rolling comfort and mechanical refinement. The S-Class, however, is engineered in such a way that it can move from a standstill with spectacular smoothness and ferocious fervour without a slightest hint of switch between pure electric to gasoline.
Thus, it shouldn't bother you one bit that the car, with maximum output of 306 horses and 370Nm of torque, finishes the century sprint a second slower than the ActiveHybrid 7. To put it into simpler terms, the Merc hybrid limo isn't a wild child looking to race.
On the go, intrusiveness from the outside world is down to bare minimum. You'll get a little road noise from the 19-inchers but it's neither disturbing nor disruptive in any way. Credit goes to the air suspension system, allowing the S400L Hybrid to glide over surface undulations. It's really quite easy to appreciate how polished this car actually is over already refined cars.
The only disappointment we have with the car is the lack of the technological breakthrough that's equipped only on the eight-cylinder S500 - Magic Body Control - the camera-based system that scans the road ahead and adjusts its suspension to minimise bumps and ruts to give occupants a superb comfort level.
It does force you to wonder just how good this system is when the air suspension on our test car that you see here could hardly ride any better. Even when the car is in Sport mode, it never feels overly stiff.
There's always a sense of separation from the tyres and tarmac, which is a breath of fresh air for a car in this segment. Coupled with an accurate steering wheel and good body control, Merc has endowed this car with both dynamism and comfort.
Conclusion
The S-Class Hybrid is arguably a car that's more enjoyable at the back seat. But we reckon otherwise. With its groundbreaking technologies, it almost feels like the S-Class is looking out for your well-being in all directions.
Even though we managed close to 6km/L during our test drive (far from its claimed figure of 15.8km/L), you just cannot deny that this car does what it's supposed to do superbly.
There's always a sense of separation from the tyres and tarmac, which is a breath of fresh air for a car in this segment. Coupled with an accurate steering wheel and good body control, Merc has endowed this car with both dynamism and comfort.
Conclusion
The S-Class Hybrid is arguably a car that's more enjoyable at the back seat. But we reckon otherwise. With its groundbreaking technologies, it almost feels like the S-Class is looking out for your well-being in all directions.
Even though we managed close to 6km/L during our test drive (far from its claimed figure of 15.8km/L), you just cannot deny that this car does what it's supposed to do superbly.
