The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, described by Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche as "the best automobile in the world," has been unveiled.
The new model is designed to replace not just the previous generation S-Class, but also the much larger and more expensive Maybach, which went out of production last year. Like before, the car will be offered in both short- and long-wheelbase variants; however, unlike on previous S-Classes, the short-wheelbase version is derived from the long-wheelbase variant, with the development focus on the latter. In time there will also be an extra-long-wheelbase version, as well as a coupe and a cabriolet.
Mercedes claims that the S-Class is designed to excel in every area. "Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect," said Zetsche.
On the outside, the S-Class's lineage is obvious, with the new model representing a clear evolution from its predecessor. The striking new front end is dominated by a huge radiator grille, which is flanked by a new set of large LED-only headlights. In fact, the new S-Class is the first modern car ever made to feature no light bulbs whatsoever, with all of the car's lighting duties taken over by LEDs.
Under the bonnet, the S-Class will be offered with a choice of petrol, petrol-electric, diesel and diesel-electric powertrains, all of which will come with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The S 500 is the petrol model in the range and comes with a 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 which develops 258bhp and 516lb-ft of torque, giving a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds. The S 350 BlueTEC is the diesel in the line-up, coming with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 254bhp, capable of 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and 51mpg.
There are two hybrid models in the range: the S 400 Hybrid and the S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid. The S 400 gets a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which churns out 306bhp, propels the car from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and returns 44.8mpg on the combined cycle. The S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is the real winner in the efficient stakes, however, with a 2.1-litre straight-four diesel lump which returns 64mpg and emits just 115g/km of CO2, which is frankly astonishing for a car of this size. But despite the impressive economy figures, the S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is no slouch, hitting 62mph in 7.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 148mph.
A new plug-in hybrid version -- the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid -- is due to join the range next year and will offer fuel economy figures in excess of 4l/100km (71mpg). A S 600 derivative with a 530bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 will also arrive next year. A range-topping S 65 AMG model with a 612bhp 6.0-litre V12 is also reportedly on the cards.
On the inside, the S-Class's cabin is swathed in good-old-fashioned wood'n'leather; however, that's about as traditional as it gets. The dashboard is dominated by two huge 12.3-inch TFT colour displays, one of which acts as the instrument binnacle and the other of which controls the car's infotainment and comfort functions.
The new S-Class is bigger than its predecessor and this pays dividends in the back seats, where you'll find an extra 14mm of knee-room and 9mm of shoulder room. Mercedes has focussed on making the rear quarters as luxurious as the front in order to appeal to the burgeoning Chinese market, where buyers are more likely to be chauffeur driven than they are in western markets.
As you'd expect from the S-Class, the new model features more electronic frippery than a Kraftwerk album, with a range of gizmos designed specifically to keep you as safe and as comfortable as possible on the open road. The most innovative of these new systems is Merc's so-called Magic Body Control (MBC), which uses cameras mounted in the car's windscreen to detect bumps in the road ahead and adjust the car's suspension accordingly, in order to better control ride comfort and body control.
Order books for the new S-Class open towards the end of June and the first cars are expected to be delivered to UK customers in September. UK pricing and specification details are yet to be confirmed, but prices are expected to start from around £67,500 for the S 350 BlueTEC short-wheelbase, rising to around £91,000 for the S 500 long-wheelbase. Prices for the top-of-the-range S 63 AMG should start from around £120,000.
Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter
