The newMercedes-BenzS-Class has been teased with the release of interior photographs andthe company calls it ‘the best automobile in the world’. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new S-Class embodies ‘perfection to the last detail’ with the result being ‘The Essence of Luxury’.

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class is classy personified

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class features highly sophisticated automatic climate control functions while the seats are considered to set the benchmark in automobile engineering. Both the climate control and the seats are operated with maximum convenience using several actuators and electric motors.

The interior is luxurious, elegant and stylish in its design. The interior features a generous amount of wood trim, especially in the dashboard and centre console. Metallised switch surfaces with pearl-effect paint finishes in three colour shades further enhance the interior.

The ‘First Class Rear’ features a business centre console which integrates a telephone handset, additional storage compartments and a folding table. The new S-Class also features a new command centre with a redesigned display that extends in front of the driver and provides numerous functions in a ergonomical way while appearing to be ‘free-floating’. The new centre display is enhanced by the ‘corona effect’ ambient back lighting.

Two high resolution colour displays in 8:3 format with a 12.3-inch diagonal screen form the basis of the new information centre of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The left display provides relevant information to the driver while the right screen allows for control of the infotainment system and comfort functions.

Superior seating options

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers five different rear seat variants including an Executive seat with a backrest angle adjustable by 43.5 degrees. The seats also incorporate a world-first ENERGIZING massage function that have 14 separately actuated air cushions in the backrest and a warming function. A choice of six massage programmes are available with two using the heating function. Another world-first are the reversing fans used in the active seat ventilation system. Using the reversing fans, the airflow in the seat structure can be reversed which reduces draughts and enhances comfort.

The Warm Comfort package includes heated armrests and door centre panels in the front and rear. The package also includes a heated steering wheel and the fast-responding seat heating Plus which is controlled using the central display or the remote control in the rear.

THERMOTRONIC Climate Control

The THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control features a mass flow regulating concept which allows individual occupants to achieve their personal comfort needs. New features include autonomous adjustment options for the driver and front passenger sides as well as individual modes which include ‘Focus’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Diffuse’.

The ‘active perfuming system’ is another world-first as part of the AIR-BALANCE package. The system is switched on and off manually with manual adjustment of the intensity. The perfume atomisation system individualises the smell of the vehicle, yet it does not permanently change the interior smell and perfume molecules do not stick on fabric or clothing. The air filtering system has been enhanced and now has the ability to ‘clean’ the air by rendering bacteria, viruses and spores inactive through ionisation.

Entertainment at its best

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the first sedan to feature a Frontbass system as standard. The system’s woofers are installed within the bodyshell using the 40-litre space in the cross-member and side-member as a resonance chamber. The system includes 10 speakers. As an alternative, customers can opt for the Burmester Surround Sound system or the Burmester High-End 3D Surround System.

A multi-user entertainment system is another world first for the S-Class which allows independent access to the media sources of the entertainment system from any of the four seats and these include radio, TV, internet, navigation, DVD player and USB-connected devices. The driver control function also allows the driver to route any video or audio source to the display or headset of any passenger.

It has not been confirmed when the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will reach South Africa.