Mercedes-Benz S-Class: luxury, innovation and comfort. Our test drive
Sophisticated technology, on-board comfort at the highest level and more refined driving dynamics thanks to new engines
140 years after the invention of the automobile, Mercedes relaunches the S-Class. The flagship of the three-pointed star gets a makeover with one of the most radical updates ever made within a single generation. More than 50 per cent of the car has been redesigned, while maintaining intact the elegance that has always characterised the German flagship at a list price starting at just over 123,000 euros.
The design evolves through distinctive details such as the illuminated star on the bonnet, the enlarged front grille and the new headlamps with micro-LED technology, capable of expanding the high-resolution field of vision by 40 per cent.
MB.OS and artificial intelligence: the S-Class enters a new era
The real revolution is technological with the debut of MB.OS, the new operating system developed by Mercedes-Benz that integrates all the car's functions in a single digital ecosystem that can be constantly updated via the cloud. On this platform comes MB.Drive, the system that evolves driver assistance and parking thanks to advanced sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms capable of reading traffic and the surrounding environment in real time. The in-vehicle experience also grows thanks to the new Mbux Superscreen, which combines the central display and passenger screen in a single glass surface, accompanied by an evolved voice assistant capable of increasingly natural and personalised dialogues.
Electrified engines and even more refined driving
The engine range has been completely updated for electrification. It starts with the powerful V8 with 537 hp and 750 Nm, passing through the smoother and quieter six-cylinder petrols, up to the plug-in hybrid variants capable of travelling around 100 km in electric mode. There is no shortage of new-generation diesels, designed to meet future emissions regulations. All engines also adopt a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that improves smoothness, efficiency and ride comfort.
On the road, the new S-Class aims to offer an even more relaxing and sophisticated driving experience. Improved soundproofing significantly reduces noise and vibrations, while the engine and transmission work extremely progressively, providing a smooth sensation even on long journeys.
