In our performance run, the S350 CDI L, with all of its 2.1-tonne bulk, managed to hit 100 km/h from standstill in 7.9 seconds; its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. While peak power comes in at 3,600 RPM, the wave of torque begins its surge from just 1,600 RPM and stays on till 2,400 RPM. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a narrow powerband, but it’s more than adequate for wafting around town or sailing over highways. We don’t expect any owners to take their S350 CDI L to a track day. Even if they do, there’s always ‘Sport’ to try out, but ‘Comfort’ is where it’s at. The Airmatic suspension speaks for itself, although we are reminded of how we can’t experience Magic Body Control in the long-wheelbase model.
On the move, the S feels plush and relaxing. The cabin is quiet and the bumps are filtered out well. The ride quality is sublime and there’s little you would want, especially when cosseted in the rear. We tried it out on the twisting mountain roads and there wasn’t anything to complain about. Heading uphill towards a particularly tight hairpin, which also happened to have a rather severe elevation change, had me almost have a second thought about the speed I was carrying into it, but the S dismissed it without stepping even an inch out of line. The handling isn’t bad at all and, for its weight, it manages itself very well. ‘Sport’ makes everything stiffer and more urgent but it loses the relaxed, calm feel that ‘Comfort’ provides.
The S also sheds speed in the very manner you push on the brake pedal: either smooth and progressively or quick and urgently, whichever the case, it feels sure-footed, even when braking hard in the bends. The large ventilated discs are hugely responsible, as is the 245-section rubber. Another point here is, the diesel S wears 245/50 R18s while the S500 sports larger 245/45 R19s. A spare tyre now resides in the 520-litre boot, eating up quite a bit of the usable amount, especially if you happen to have big, rectangular bags.
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