Mercedes-Benz India have launched the all-new S-Class, touted by many to be the ‘best car in the world’. Their belief of ‘the best or nothing’ further iterates the level of engineering and technology on the car on offer.
The V222 S-Class, or long-wheelbase model, is unique in the way it was designed. While the previous models were created as standard cars and then stretched, the S-Class was created from the outset to be a long car, with the standard car being derived from it. The S 500, launched in India today, brings in a new motor, more efficient and more powerful than the outgoing car, and is highlighted by many signature Mercedes-Benz technological advances.
The arrival of full-LED headlamps in a car which doesn’t make use of any bulbs inside or outside, signals a new approach to LED lighting technology. The ambient lighting system, interior lights, indicators and tail lamp clusters, all use LEDs, with a total of nearly 500 units being used on the car. Also on offer is the Burmester 3D Surround Sound system with 24 speakers and a 24-channel amplifier with a 1,540W output, providing a theatre-class, or possibly even better, dynamic audio experience. The front tweeters spin into view upon activation and garner quite a bit of attention at first.
The seating is where things get truly opulent. The finest leather and wood are used to create a plush ambience with no compromise on comfort. The leg room at the front and especially the rear is exceptional. Another first in the automotive world is the inclusion of an energising hot stone massage function, which smartly uses seat elements to provide a relaxation experience similar to a good spa treatment. The rear is equally awe-inspiring, with the use of reclining seats and a ‘mobile office’ setup. There’s a wireless hot-spot facility, 12V charging sockets and individual entertainment consoles. Business-class style folding trays are present, as are foot rests on the seats up front. The front seats can be controlled from the rear to make occupants more comfortable. On the safety front, the usual bits are all present in their full glory. Eight airbags, the electronic stability program and Night View Assist among others are all part of the package.
At the heart of the whole experience is the 5.5-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine with 455 PS and 700 Nm of torque. Paired to the 7-speed GTronic transmission, it allows the S to waft away without so much as a whirr from the engine intruding into the cabin. This is also thanks to the AIRMATIC air suspension offered as standard. Sound insulation is on another plane and Mercedes-Benz have worked hard to create a cocoon of luxury for the lucky folk who do end up cossetted in the lap of luxury that are the rear seats. The S 500 is limited to 250 km/h and it gets there quickly as well. You would probably never be late for an appointment ever again.
One chink in the Indian car’s armour, is that one of the most noted technologies present on the new S-Class, Magic Body Control (MBC), is not available in India. A world first ride-aiding system, MBC allows the car to scan the road surface ahead and pre-adjust the suspension within a few milliseconds to adapt to the changes. This would mean class-leading ride quality. However, the frequencies the sensors use was deemed illegal by the authorities, and so, MBC will not be offered in India, making it the only market in the world without the signature technology.
Another damper, if you would consider it that, is the price. At Rs 1.57 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) the S 500 is significantly more expensive than the model it replaces. Of course, until now, we’ve had detuned versions of the 5.4-litre V8 doing the rounds with 369 PS and 505 Nm, and the S 350 CDI with 210 PS and 490 Nm, similar to the numbers of the 2.2-litre motor. The new S 500 raises the bar much, much further. We also expect the S 350 BlueTEC diesel and even the S 400 Hybrid model to arrive in India in the future.
Read all about the S Class in our detailed road test featured in the January 2014 issue of Car India magazine.
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Gaurav Nagpal
