There is a easy rule within the automotive business; if you wish to know what expertise shall be normal on automobiles constructed 15 years sooner or later, take a look at the present Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In order we drive previous Taylor Swift’s North East getaway mansion receiving augmented actuality navigation instructions and a therapeutic massage that makes use of audio system within the seats to ship vibrations deep into our muscle groups, we are able to affirm that the longer term appears fairly nice. Now in its seventh technology, the 2021 S-Class arrives sporting a clear new design, radical new inside, and groundbreaking expertise that ought to push the automotive panorama ahead.
CarBuzz had the chance to drive the all-new S580 4MATIC within the North Jap United States, traversing the most effective nation roads in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The journey was lengthy, scenic, and infrequently bumpy, nevertheless it was made higher by the head motoring expertise referred to as the S-Class.
Exterior Design: Delicate But Imposing
Mercedes will solely provide the US-spec S-Class in long-wheelbase guise, measuring 208.2 inches from bow to stern and 126.6 inches between the wheels. This hefty measurement offers the S-Class an imposing stance worthy of flagship standing. Mercedes stored the styling conservative, protecting true to basic sedan proportions with a stretched hood, sweeping C-pillar, and daring entrance finish with the three-point star mounted on the hood. General, the design is tasteful, however the taillights look too just like inexpensive Mercedes fashions just like the CLA and CLS.
We predict the most recent S-Class appears extra curvaceous than the outgoing mannequin, and the numbers agree. With a 0.22 drag coefficient, the S-Class is among the many world’s most aerodynamic automobiles. The S-Class achieves its spectacular aerodynamic effectivity because of enhancements in and across the entrance bumper, revised wheels, and pop-out door handles that retract whereas the automobile is transferring. Mercedes will provide the S-Class in Luxurious Line, AMG Line, and – unique to the S580 – Government Line, every receiving delicate exterior distinctions with either19-, 20-, or 21-inch wheels.
Efficiency: All The King’s Horses
The S-Class sports activities two engines at launch, each sending energy to 4MATIC all-wheel-drive by a nine-speed computerized transmission. The bottom S500 will get a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid help, shelling out a velvety clean 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Our earlier expertise with this engine within the AMG GT 53 was optimistic, and within the S-Class, the inline-six can obtain 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
Mercedes wished us to expertise the total brunt of the S 580 with its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 masterpiece. This is identical motor discovered underneath the hood in numerous AMG merchandise, however right here it’s near-silent with a soothing baritone rumble whenever you actually step on it. 496 hp and 516 lb-ft allow you to waft previous the proletariat effortlessly in site visitors.
The V8 delivers breathtaking acceleration with out breaking a sweat – 0-60 mph takes solely 4.4 seconds – however now we have a sneaking suspicion the inline-six could be almost pretty much as good to pilot on a day-to-day foundation.
Patrons who demand larger efficiency may maintain out for the upcoming AMG variants, rumored to provide over 800 hp. If it have been our cash, although, we might take into consideration the plug-in hybrid, which pairs the inline-six to an electrical motor to provide extra energy than the V8 mannequin with an estimated 61-mile driving vary. This variant hasn’t but been confirmed for the US, however for a lot of, it could be the mandatory bridge between the S-Class’s luxurious combustion engines and the absolutely electrical EQS that many will discover best.
Driving Impressions: Easy Operator
The S-Class is the flagship product from Mercedes, so we anticipated perfection right here. Spoiler alert, Mercedes delivered but once more. We have already talked about the astonishing energy, however the S-Class impresses much more with the way it delivers that grunt. This automobile will get up to the mark in such a relaxed method, by no means disturbing the driving force or passengers by straining its muscle groups. Even at triple-digit speeds, the cabin stays silent sufficient to listen to the ventilated seats protecting your tuchus cool.
Commonplace AIRMATIC suspension permits the automobile to drift over the tough pavement as if such disturbances have been too pedestrian for somebody essential sufficient to be driving an S-Class. Within the 2022 mannequin yr, a extra superior E-Energetic Physique Management suspension shall be out there with the power to regulate as much as 1,000 instances per second. It is troublesome to think about this automobile getting any extra comfy however our earlier expertise with the E-Energetic suspension has us giddy with pleasure.
As anticipated of a comfortable luxurious sedan, the controls such because the throttle and brake pedal really feel gentle and easy. The steering is the lone exception; it feels properly weighted to make the S-Class really feel substantial. As well as, this automobile boasts a number of the greatest semi-autonomous driving options out there, protecting the car centered in its lane with minimal stress on the steering wheel; these options assist preserve the driving force relaxed and extra energized after they arrive at their vacation spot.
Large sedans just like the S-Class typically really feel cumbersome to drive, however Mercedes will get round this weak point with a brand new rear-axle steering system. Obtainable with both 4.5 or 10 levels of angle, the rear wheel can transfer reverse the fronts to enhance the turning circle by as much as seven ft. Because of this, Mercedes says the S-Class can flip in the identical house because the subcompact A-Class; in our restricted expertise, we circled on roads that will have required a three-point flip in every other massive sedan however took just one movement within the S-Class.
Inside Design: Screens Galore
Mercedes performed it secure with the outside styling, however time-traveled to the yr 2040 when styling the inside. The cabin options as much as 5 out there screens, with the entrance two as normal on all trims. Within the sprint, a brand new OLED touchscreen measuring 12.8 inches replaces the outgoing MBUX infotainment system. Practically all multimedia controls are housed on the display, yielding 27 fewer buttons than the outgoing S-Class. The massive display has a slight studying curve for sure capabilities, however we discovered this newest MBUX system to be essentially the most intuitive Mercedes has launched in a very long time.
The menus are far easier than earlier than, and you’ll at all times say “Hey, Mercedes” to manage numerous capabilities utilizing your voice. A couple of bodily buttons positioned beneath the display present fast entry to the drive modes, cameras, security options, and quantity. Mercedes stored some redundant controls with two small touchpads on the wheel. The precise-hand one controls the infotainment display, whereas the opposite modifications the 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
A digital instrument cluster is nothing new for Mercedes, however this one now options 3D graphics and new gauge kinds. The all-white “Unique” theme was our favourite, and the pink “Sport” theme was fairly distinctive. As a substitute of basic gauges, this display can mission the navigation map, with a brand new augmented actuality head-up show projecting blue strains into your imaginative and prescient as if the true world was a Mario Kart monitor. This new HUD makes it almost inconceivable to get misplaced with the nav system energetic.
Included within the Government Line, the rear of the cabin boasts two 11.6-inch touchscreens with a full-HD digital camera and microphone, giving riders the identical management as the driving force. The fifth display is an ejectable pill housed within the armrest, which might management numerous parts within the automobile.
Exterior of the display, the S-Class inside appears befitting of a flagship sedan. The supplies really feel top-notch, and the seats lull occupants right into a zen state with their supreme consolation. These stunning leather-based chairs possess 19 motors with 10 distinctive therapeutic massage packages. An optionally available Burmester 4D Encompass Sound System with as much as 1,750 watts and 30 audio system provides two resonators in every seat to vibrate together with the music throughout sure therapeutic massage packages. Superior LED ambient lights stun occupants with a bewildering coloration array, including additional to the ambiance. As anticipated, the most recent S-Class is a technological tour de drive.
Although the S-Class is a soothing driving expertise, this automobile is greatest loved from the rear seat. The prolonged wheelbase accommodates 41.7 inches of legroom within the entrance and a whopping 43.8 inches within the rear, sufficient for even a tall passenger to sprawl out in consolation. With the Government bundle, the passenger on the fitting facet can kick their ft up utilizing the facility ottoman.
As for cargo house, the S-Class cannot compete with a big SUV, nevertheless it nonetheless possesses a large trunk with 12.9 cubic ft of storage capability.
Verdict: Luxurious At Its Most interesting
Every time Mercedes-Benz releases a brand new S-Class, it pushes your entire automotive business to innovate and play catchup. This new mannequin is not any exception. Although the outside styling is barely mundane, the inside is something however. As much as 5 screens make the cabin really feel like Iron Man’s workshop, however with extra leather-based. Journey consolation is expectedly glorious, and the usual engine choices depart nothing to be desired. The AMG and Maybach variants will construct on this glorious place to begin for people who at all times demand extra, including much more extravagance and excessive efficiency to the combo, however we’re not so certain it even wants it. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is luxurious at its most interesting, and it as soon as once more defines the flagship luxurious class.
Pricing & Trims
The one draw back to a mannequin just like the S-Class is its pay-to-play pricing. The Luxurious Line is the least costly S-Class, beginning at $109,800 for the S500 or $116,300 for the S580. Stepping as much as the AMG Line provides extra aggressive bodywork, a Evening Bundle, Burmester audio, and 20-to-21-inch AMG wheels. This sportier variant prices $114,100 for the S500 or $120,600 for the S580. The Government Line is just out there on the S580, beginning at $131,450 and rolling within the spectacular rear-seat leisure options.
Pricing will enhance from right here, with future AMG and Maybach variants nonetheless to return. The Maybach S580 begins at $184,900, whereas the V12-powered S680 ought to surpass the $200,000 barrier. Different flagship luxurious sedans just like the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Sequence are inexpensive however do not have the identical groundbreaking expertise discovered within the new S-Class.