Delivering a series of firsts, the new S-Class is the first car to go
without a single light bulb; depending completely on LED technology. In short, there are nearly 500 LEDs
in the headlights, taillights and interior within the car. To add to that, the
LED lighting is also intelligent, with its intensity reduced at night and also
when the car is stationary at stop lights. Further enhancing visibility for the
driver are the Adaptive High beam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus
assistance systems.
This time,
the new S-Class was developed as a long-wheelbase saloon first, before the
short-wheelbase version was derived from it. Usually, it is the other way
round. Driving and parking such a limousine around calls for extra caution,
especially with Singapore’s tight car parks, but the 360-degree all-round
vision is a huge help. Plus, the sensors will warn you with its beeping if you
get too close. Then again, there’s always the Active Parking Assist.
Enormous cabin space
and excellent ride quality make the latest Mercedes-Benz S400L Hybrid one of
the leading cars in its class
The new
stereo camera and multi-stage radar sensors help to better warn the driver of
any danger. For example, in yet another first, the new S-Class is able to
detect bumps and unevenness of roads with the stereo camera, through this
function called the Road Surface Scan. Working in tandem with the Magic Body
Control which adjusts the suspension according to the humps on the road, you
get a bump-free ride.
I can go on
about the list of amazing technologies that the new S-Class has – accompanying
the press release, price list and specifications sheet is a 13-pager on the
Intelligent Drive features but I shall spare all the details. To sum it up, the
level of safety and driver aid electronics is really high, to a point of almost
overwhelming, in the S-Class.
The two-spoke steering
wheel adds to the overall chic and classy ambience in the cabin
Packed with
an impressive host of technological features and functions, it was easy to get
carried away and forget the drive, which is so smooth you feel like you’re
within a world of your own, away from whatever goes on outside.
The new
S-Class comes in a hybrid version (S400L Hybrid as test driven here), a petrol
model (S500L) and a diesel variant (S350L Blue TEC). The 3.5-litre turbocharged
V6 engine in the S400L Hybrid has an electric motor assist and you can drive it
in electric mode, but that means having to be very frugal with your driving. For
a car of its size, it is quick off its feet (up to 306 bhp
and 370 Nm) when commanded but most of the time I rather enjoy the drive then
take it smashing round corners at high speeds.
Fitted with size 19
shoes, the S-Class doesn't look out of place and appears dynamic from all
angles
Comfort is
a definite, to the extent that I rather be a passenger
in the back seat and chauffeured around. There is more headroom in the cabin,
with increased shoulder and elbow room in the front, as well as more shoulder
and knee room in the back. I love the comfort of the seats, which have the
option of having a massage function. Rear seats can also have a reclining
function.
Standard
equipment is very high, but do note that the Magic Body Control and 360-degree
camera are only standard in the eight-cylinder S500L. These can be included at
additional cost of course, which you can offset some with the $5,000 carbon
rebate that the S400L Hybrid qualifies for AMG kit anyone?
