Luxury buyers have a "problem". Interesting if you want something more unique spendier and a Lexus LS, but are not ready for a baby or Bentley Roller, you have but one option: the Mercedes S-class. The problem is the latest generation S-Class drags plebeian more options in both gadgets and luxury. This has been a serious problem since the price tag on the S covers a little less than $ 100,000 to nearly a quarter million. As the new C-Class, the redesigned S-Class is restoring my faith in the first German luxury brand.
Exterior
S-Class was the pinnacle of the Mercedes line since 1972. There has been long, short, coupes, sedans and limousines. Whatever the form, the S-Class has long been the standard by which the full-size luxury cars are judged. This was a bit of a problem for the older generation who had a Merc outside old fashioned with a clear profile, small grille and headlamps that resemble Shrinky Dinks who had spent too long in the oven.
The new S-Class receives final exterior design elements of Mercedes CLS and CLA with a bolder grille and headlamps anger mixed with the quaintness of a tri-star hood ornament. As you would expect of a car driver for diplomats, royalty and heads of state, the side profile is in the vertical position and traditional, and the greenhouse leans slightly backward to allow your royal character better view of your subjects.
rear, Mercedes mixed style corporate book with traditional indices of S-class we've seen since 1991, such as taillights that will not wrap on the trunk lid. This choice of a particular style has significant disadvantage :. The trunk is smaller than most other luxury sedans
Although the new S-Class can look like a re W220 S-Class to the skin, the W222 is a whole new animal. The biggest change is a new body that is nearly half of the aluminum. Rather than go all-in on Alcoa as Jaguar and Audi, Mercedes has taken the more cautious approach strategically using aluminum to adjust the weight balance of the car, as well as shed a few pounds. The result is a S550 weighs 4,0 pounds and has a weight balance closer to 50/50 than ever (a bit better than 52/48 we are told.)
inside
Mercedes is a conservative company in terms of interior design, so that this generation does not massive design starts. Although sober, everything is undeniably premium and the interior escapes the "upscale Buick vibe" of the last generation gave off. Our tester has a leather package optional 00 near $ which undoubtedly contributes. The option consists of premium leather two-tone and contrasting piping throughout the cabin, from the dashboard to the door panels. Even the parts of the door panels that are hidden when the doors close perfectly stitched cowhide. laser grids speakers cut metal are scattered throughout the cabin, a look that is also featured in the new C-class at more affordable prices
European buyers will probably be confused by this statement :. legroom is excellent but not epic in the S550. While the S-Class is ginormous by European standards, it is only 3.6 inches more than a Ford Taurus and less than one inch longer than Lincoln MKS. accordingly, the 41.4 inches of front leg room is actually slightly lower than that of large American sedans. rear legroom is generous, but not much more than large sedans by GM, Ford and Chrysler. The rear seat is definitely comfortable, especially in our tester came with the rear seat reclining option. However, the greatest people 6 feet 2 will not be able to fully stretch on the footrest. (Modeste shaped frame 6 feet of your writer like a glove.) Disappointed? Consider that the XJ, A8 and 7-Series are available in two lengths and long wheelbase models are equivalent to the base S-Class in a rear housing. Need more space? For a cool $ 189,350, you can get the Maybach S0 which runs the S-Class 8-inch, improving both leg and headroom in the process. Unfortunately, however, the rear thrones champagne fridge and comfortable also eat in trunk space, dropping the chest down in a thin 12.3 S500. Tell Jeeves to pack light.
Mercedes-Maybach
Maybach was to be the German answer to the growing popularity of Rolls Royce and Bentley. Unfortunately, Mercedes tried in frontal competition with a previous generation S-Class stretched to 244 inches a fool who carried a price tag even more tense at nearly $ 400,000. No wonder the Maybach 57 and 62 have failed in light of the sales charts on fire. From 2013, Maybach as a brand ceased to exist and a new strategy was born. Since the old Maybach was instantly recognizable as a stretched S-Class, they applied the label Maybach S to the longest available and therefore the Mercedes-Maybach S0 is born. With an elongation of more modest 8 inches (against which was added to make the Maybach 62 three feet) and a similar price tag more modest, think Mercedes Maybach limousine version of the S-Class Curiously the Maybach is not the most expensive S - this is where the S65 AMG comes from a cool $ 220,000
Infotainment & Gadgets
[ No luxury car would be complete without a host of gadgets and gizmos to entertain and protect (and brag).
the first thing you notice when you get inside are the twin 12.3-inch LCD screens, the scope of the center of the car to the driver's door. The right LCD screen running the latest software COMAND infotainment Mercedes while the left controls the display of gauges and night vision.
Although the software interface looks familiar, it has been significantly updated for the W222 with a faster processor and more features. The difference in speed and fluidity of graphics transitions is easily noticeable when you compare the S-Class E-Class sitting next to him on the ground dealer. Mercedes has improved voice recognition system in this generation and the voice commander specific tracks on your USB / iDevice key is easier and more reliable. Unfortunately, the online feature is not as "fully cooked" as iDrive or MMI at this stage. There are Google Earth satellite image driven, but it is not included in the default navigation screen. Similarly, streaming radio and Yelp location finder applications could be better integrated. Also on the list reproach: there is no button / forward back track dedicated switch to change the most complicated tracks than other vehicles
I am often disappointed by groups LCD instruments .. They offer so much theoretical potential, but no manufacturer has yet fully realized this. So far, Cadillac is the only brand whose LCD unit allows limited personalization from a selection of different caliber layouts, colors and themes. The Mercedes display, as essentially everyone, shows two views. One with and one without the display of the night vision camera.
On the gadget front, Mercedes has packed in everything but the kitchen sink. We have an optional split-view display (LCD on the right side only) so that the passenger can watch a movie while in motion, and a rear seat entertainment system for rear seat passengers that can display a slideshow aérienne- esque location, the elevation profile of your trip and time to your destination. Massage front seats, reclining rear seats, shades are all powered and even people get rear seat 3-position memory. Sound systems begin to impressive and head "do you really need this?" With a system of 24 speakers pumping 1,940 watts (because 00 is too opulent.)
More radar sensors Frankfurt airport, a crowd of ultrasonic sensors, cameras all around, a separate stereo camera system for 3D imaging in front, and an infrared night vision camera all combine to give the S-class views bionic road. the radar sensors enable adaptive cruise control feature, you talk about cross-border traffic and prepare security systems to the impact when the car behind you decides not to stop. the S-Class will be parallel park, detect pedestrians and brake to avoid hitting them, and highlight deer and select other animals in the night vision system. Control Body Magic will scan the road and set the suspension to handle an imperfection road before you meet. Unfortunately, the multi-beam LED headlamps snazzy do not allow the United States because of certain regulations stupid spotlight on our shores, but the system that automatically injects air freshener in the HVAC system is linked America.
Training
instead of the hybrid range-topping model as you see with the Lexus LS 0hL, Mercedes continues display the hybrid S550 plug-in as more of a volume option. For the same price, buyers can choose a 449 horsepower, 4.7-liter twin-turbocharged V8 or a hybrid 436 horsepower built around a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. (The turbo six makes 329 horses himself.) The 449 ponies and 516 lb-ft of torque in the handset V8 model with the latest 7-speed automatic transmission Mercedes and optional 4MATIC AWD allowed out tester scoot to 60 in an impressive 4 , 6 seconds.
If you must go to The Hamptons faster, twin-turbo V12 S0 until the coils of 523 horses and 612 lb-ft, but unfortunately can not be done with AWD. The S63 AMG gets a 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine making 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft and, with AWD standard, will make the German tank at the speed of the road in less than 4 seconds. The range topping S65 AMG is the most punch at 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque (88 more twists than a Hellcat Dodge) but because AWD is not available, it will take a bit more time to run 60 the S63. Even if you can not afford high-end trim, all S Class owners can bask in the opulence of a transmission with two reverse speeds. Why? Just because.
player I am a bit skeptical about the Body Magic and control system, as it stands, I was right to be . The system uses a stereo camera system to scan the road, but other than amortization of speed bumps to the point where it feels like running on a garden hose, I did not notice much difference in a car dealership provided. The system seemed to have little or no effect on rough roads or potholed streets in the Bay Area. Some of this has to do with how the system detects the road (it is based camera), but most have to do with the suspension of the air standard is already very compliant.
Although the S550 has lost weight, he is still one of the heaviest options in this segment. The contrast with the Jaguar XJ is strong. At 3,854 lbs, the English entry is the lightest, beating even the aluminum A8 by 511 pounds. Jaguar has abandoned its air suspension with four angle in the latest model XJ (the back has still load leveling) which, combined with the light curb weight, it is by far the sportiest entry this segment. However, the XJ is not only light to this segment, it is also 147 pounds lighter than E350 . The S550 other hand offers a more traditional attitude of luxury. The air suspension creates a tower that is like a floating pillow on a cloud
Funny thing about clouds. If you pay attention, you realize they are moving pretty darn fast. Apparently, in defiance of physics, S550 scoots to 60 mph as fast as BMW M235i and, thanks to some serious rubber at all four corners, 335i corresponds to a run-of-the-mill in the skidpad. Hold the pedal down too long and you have reached the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds while 110 mph. Silently. In a long sedan 17 feet. The cabin of the S550 is eerily quiet anytime.
The steering is surprisingly accurate but isolated, body boards, dives and rolls with the best located luxury, but never feels upset or uncomposed. Thank you to the AWD system and a near balance 50/50 weight, the S550 is extremely confident and neutral on virtually every surface of the road. Such a declaration would not be surprising when we speak of a compact luxury coupe, but we're talking about a nearly two and a half ton sedan.
Price - Why is it a "tweener"
I have already addressed, but the most unique thing about class S is that it is almost in a segment of its own ?. The 2015 S550 starts at $ 94,400, which is about $ 20,000 more than a base 2015 BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS 460, Jaguar XJ and Audi A8. (In 2016, the 7 and A8 instead Series at just over $ 80,000 and we should expect a slight increase in Mercedes keeping the distance around 15-grand.) A slight configured S550 can easily sticker for $ 115,000 and our tester (missing a number of options) came to a cool $ 137.500. Keeping in mind This is simply where the S550 starts. The sticker on our S-Class with the base engine was already higher than possible for most of the competition.
The next step is the $ 141,450 S63, which is nearly as expensive as the A8 receives. You want a 12-cylinder engine? This is less $ 166,00 on a loaded Honda Accord more a W12 A8. The Maybach section is $ 189,350, and if you want a more powerful engines 12 cylinders facts, it will be $ 220,000. The only other vehicle with this kind of price range is the Porsche Panamera. The Porsche has a slightly more premium interior, but its mission is quite different. The Panamera is more direct, more engaging, but less comfortable, less spacious and was told by the old guard in Atherton and it is too flashy. Looking for something spendier? The S65 AMG ends around where Bentley begins.
The new S-Class has restored my faith in the Mercedes brand. Is this the best value in the luxury car segment? No, but it is an asset in this category. (If you do not like that statement, then you are not the S-Class demographics.) If you want a "luxury sedan value" of this size, check out the $ 60,000 Kia K00.
The S550 4Matic is exactly what I want out of a luxury saloon. I want it to be big and fat but avoid brash by a hair. I want it to be incredibly calm, perfectly smooth, incredibly powerful, able to stop on a dime (okay, so that part is a bit lacking), the handle like a sports coupe and get nods of silent heads of people country club. You can get some of these things in the competition, but this big Merc successfully each in a way that no other sedan does.
Mercedes has provided the vehicle, insurance and a tank of gas for this review
0-30: 1.99 seconds
0-60: 4.6 seconds
1/4 Mile: 12.8 seconds @ 110 mph
Economy fuel: 18.2 MPG over 782 miles
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