Here you have it guys, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been officially unveiled in Malaysia in all its glory! As with every generation before it, the new S-Class sets a new standard across the board to retain its accolade as “the best automobile in the world”.
The new S-Class line-up features one hybrid version and two petrol models – S400 Hybrid (CKD), S 500 (CBU) and S63 AMG (CBU). All models boast class-leading efficiency and up to 20% lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series.
The S400 Hybrid is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine and electric motor that develops 306hp and 370Nm of torque. Paired with 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission, MBM claims that the S400 Hybrid is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds whilst reaching a top speed of 250 km/h. Yet the S400 still consumes less fuel as this engine is efficient enough to get 6.8- 6.3 litres/100km and CO2 of just 159-147 g/km.
The S 500 on the other hand is powered by a 4.6-litre V8 that delivers 455hp and 700Nm of torque mated with 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. This enables it to accelerate from 0-100 in just 4.8 seconds and see it easily reach its governed top speed of 250 km/h. The combined fuel consumption is quoted at 9.1 – 8.6 litres/100km.
If that is not enough to satisfy your speed cravings, MBM have also brought in the S 63 AMG, available in either short wheelbase or long wheelbase. It is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that is churns out a stonking 585hp and 900Nm of torque coupled with AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sport transmission. As a result, the S63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in an estimated 4.4 seconds and goes on to reach a top speed of 250 km/h. MBM also claims that the S 63 sips only 9.1-86-litres of fuel per 100 km with CO2 emission from 213-199 g/km.
The new S-Class is also the world’s first car to be able to detect bumps on the road ahead. If Road Surface Scan detects such unevenness by means of the stereo camera, Magic Body Control instantaneously sets up the suspension to deal with the new situation. This suspension system is available as an option for the 8-cylinder models. Standard equipment for the new S-Class includes the continuously operating Adaptive Damping System Ads Plus and an enhanced version of the full air suspension system AirMatic.
With the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is making a complete switch to LED technology and the new S-Class is the first vehicle in the world whose interior and exterior do without a single light bulb. It features almost 500 LEDs to illuminate the road, the vehicle, the interior and the boot.
Inside, there is generous use of wood trim, especially in the dashboard and centre console of the new S-Class. Metallised switch surfaces with pearl-effect paint finishes in three colour shades to suit the interior colour particularly highlight the outstanding quality.
The occupants of the new S-Class now benefit from the moderate increase in vehicle size by an improvement in all the interior dimensions: there’s 12mm more maximum headroom for the driver, as well as 14mm more shoulder room and 10mm more elbow room in the front. Thanks to the 14mm increase in rear kneeroom, travelling becomes even more comfortable for passengers in the rear.
Passengers in the rear are also seated in first-class comfort. For example, the maximum backrest angle of the reclining seat behind the front passenger seat in the long wheelbase-model is increased from 37 to 43.5 degrees, giving it the largest backrest inclination in the luxury segment. The reclining seat features a calf support which is freely adjustable for length and angle.
Apart from that, the seat specialists at Mercedes-Benz have developed a unique massage function with 14 separately actuated air cushions in the backrest, as well as an integrated warming function. There is a choice of six massage programmes, two of them using the warming function. The function is also available for the rear seats.
Up front, there is high-resolution TFT colour displays in 8:3 format with a screen diagonal of 30.7 cm form the new information centre in the S-Class. The left-hand display performs the functions of the previous instrument cluster, providing the driver with all relevant information. The right-hand display allows the convenient control of infotainment and comfort functions.
In terms of safety, the new Pre-Safe functions can help to prevent collisions with pedestrians and vehicles in front in city traffic, defuse dangerous situations caused by traffic behind and enhance the protection offered by the seat belts. The Pre-Safe Brake can also detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking to avoid a collision at speeds up to 50 km/h.
Pre-Safe Plus can recognise an imminent rear-end collision and warn the following traffic by activating the rear hazard warning lights at a high frequency. If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the stationary vehicle’s brakes and thus minimise the risk of whiplash injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by the impact. This additionally can reduce the risk of secondary accidents. Immediately before impact, the Pre-Safe anticipatory occupant protection measures, especially the reversible belt tensioners, are deployed.
With Pre-Safe Impulse, the driver and front passenger are pulled away from the direction of impact by their seat belts at an early phase of the crash before the resulting occupant deceleration sets in. This can substantially reduce the risk and severity of injuries in a frontal collision.
Here is a summary of the new assistance systems and those with notably enhanced functionality:
Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot takes the burden off the driver when it comes to lane guidance and is also able to follow vehicles in traffic jams automatically.
For the first time, thanks to the stereo camera the Brake Assist system Bas Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist is able to detect crossing traffic and pedestrians too, and to boost the braking power applied by the driver accordingly.
If the lane markings are broken lines, Active Lane Keeping Assist can detect when the adjacent lane is occupied, especially by oncoming traffic, and reduce the risk of the vehicle leaving its lane unintentionally by applying the brakes on one side.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the beams’ cone of light.
Night View Assist Plus was further improved and supplemented by a thermal imaging camera. Night View Assist Plus can alert the driver to the potential danger posed by pedestrians or animals in unlit areas in front of the vehicle by automatically switching from the speedometer to a crystal-sharp night view image and highlighting the sources of danger. A spotlight function is furthermore able to flash any pedestrians detected ahead. This attracts the driver’s attention to the source of the danger at the same time as warning the person on the side of the road.
Attention Assist can warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness in an extended speed range and notify the driver of their current state of fatigue and the driving time since the last break, offers an adjustable sensitivity setting and, if a warning is emitted, indicates nearby service areas in the Comand navigation system.
As for the pricing, the CKD S 400 Hybrid will go for RM900k while the pricing for the S 500 starts from RM1.08 million and RM 1.6 million for the S 63 AMG with deliveries period varies from six to seven months.
