The potency of the new engine in the S 350 d L immediately manifests itself in effortless progression. The idle speed may be just below 1,000 rpm, but the torque — all 600 Nm of it ― peaks at 1,200 rpm. I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to rev the nuts off a diesel often, and Mercedes have found the rev-band that’s pretty much the sweet spot for many: 1,200 to 3,200 rpm. With a wide torque band and nine ratios from the 9G-Tronic transmission to play with, the onboard computer has no trouble keeping immediate propulsion on tap the moment it receives the signal from your right foot. Of course, the traction control and stability control wouldn’t let things get out of hand even if you wanted to try something excessively mindless. Which brings me to the driver aids.
Until now, the limit on radar frequency technology has meant that Mercedes’ unique Magic Body Control with Road Surface Scan was never offered. It still isn’t. However, there are a host of new assistance systems such as the one for blind spots, complete with red hazard signs in the wing mirrors. Distronic, the active cruise control, is also present, as are the new active braking and steering assist functions. The usual, expected bits such as drowsiness detection, lane departure warning and, for the worst-case scenario, a full supply of airbags are present. There are several packages it’s equipped with: Thermotronic automatic climate control for the front and rear seats, a panoramic sliding sunroof, the Sun Protection package comprising electric sun blinds for all rear windows, the Air Balance package, rear-seat entertainment, and even wireless charging for the rear occupants.
The S-Class was never remotely a small car and, at 1,990 kg, the new S 350 d L makes it more evident, especially with all these new features. Then there are the technologies that make use of the air suspension and dynamic dampers help deliver a float-y ride. The ride quality is unbelievably soft; so much so that I believe they’ve got their three-pointed-star cross hairs on some ghosts in Goodwood. Let’s not forget there are drive modes. In Comfort, the steering feel is firm, the dampers relax a little, and the car rides between 10 and 20 mm higher off the ground than minimum. Switch to Sport, and the steering wheel weighs up nicely, the car drops down to 109 mm. Let’s see now.
Mercedes-Benz claim that the run from 0 to 100 km/h can be dispatched in six seconds. Foot down to the floor, the S 350 d lunged forward while keeping me cosseted and passed the 100-km/h mark in 6.8 seconds. Glancing down, the dynamic peak torque display told me I was using 594 Nm — that is, 99 per cent — of the peak 600 Nm torque on offer. I guess the mid-day heat was getting to it. The 9G works well to shift up aggressively, mobilising as many of those 286 pferde as possible. Peak power, too, comes in early: 3,400 to 4,600 rpm. It feels effortless. At speed, bumpy roads can be a little unsettling, but it’s nothing the brakes can’t resolve. The long-wheelbase luxury saloon sheds 100 km/h and comes to a standstill in 2.8 seconds and within less than 39 metres. Impressive. And this isn’t even the AMG model! Making that perfectly clear was the fuel consumption. Even with maximum performance demanded, the S 350 d returned nine kilometres to the litre. On the way back, it was time to swap seats, and drive modes.
