2014 Mercedes S-Class unveiled

[King T]

So is this what Cadillac's upcoming flagship sedan have to compete with?!

[King T]

[King T]

[King T]

[King T]

(Motor Trend)















First Look: 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Benz Ups the Wow Factor

No honest man needs a $100,000 luxury sedan, but after learning more about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, we're drawn in by the astoundingly long list of new technology offered on the German automaker's latest flagship car. The 2014 Mercedes S-Class sedan has the technology to make even the most jaded luxury consumer take notice, and we can't wait to evaluate everything from the advanced automated parking system to the active perfuming system, and -- oh yeah -- the twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 with 516 lb-ft of torque.

The 2014 S550 hits 60 mph in a Mercedes-estimated 4.8 seconds, down from the outgoing all-wheel-drive S550's estimated time of 5.4 seconds. Power is up 26 hp, but more important, the 2014 S550 will make more power than full-size flagship V-8 luxury sedans from BMW, Audi, and Lexus. The S550 still uses a seven-speed automatic transmission, but drag coefficient is down to 0.24 -- 0.02 better than its predecessor and 0.01 better than the 2012 Toyota Prius. While we don't expect significantly improved EPA-rated fuel economy compared to the 2013 S550's 15/24-25 mpg city/highway, the new Mercedes should offer a longer driving range and, like its predecessor, will not be subject to a gas guzzler tax. What may really blow away consumers, though, is the incredible array of new technologies and customization options the 2014 S-Class offers.

The S-Class has always been the car on which Mercedes introduces new technologies that tend to trickle down not only to less expensive models, but also across the industry. While it's unclear how easy it will be to repair all the 2014 S-Class' newly available technology down the road, the cars' first owners should delight in first-class features everywhere. For starters, loaded S-Class sedans will feature lighting from nearly 500 LEDs, including about 300 LEDs in the interior. The LEDs can be lit in seven colors with five dimming levels and four dimming zones.

Mercedes is particularly proud of the Magic Body Control system. With help from Road Surface Scan, if the car's stereo camera detects unevenness ahead (like a speed bump), the car can prepare the standard air suspension for the roughness ahead. The automaker calls it the first suspension system with eyes. On the subject of technology with sight, the updated automated parking system can recognize parking spaces nearby. We've seen plenty of parking systems that help drivers parallel park, but are just starting to see systems that can pull into end-on spaces, too. Mercedes claims the S-Class' system can also get the car out of a previously auto-parked space by controlling the steering and brakes.

As much as we love driving anything with 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, we'll gladly take a back seat in the 2014 S-Class. Splurge on the luxury or reclining seat options and the rear seat has what Mercedes says is unrestricted legroom even in the full resting position. (The backrest angle is adjustable up to 43.5 degrees.) Mercedes claims the 2014 S-Class will be the quietest vehicle in its segment, a quality we welcome in all S-Class variants except future AMGs.

For Chinese customers who'll never spend a minute behind the wheel of their new S-Class, the back seats can be ordered in a two-passenger configuration with a business center console in the middle. The hot-stone-style massaging seat functions can be ordered on the rear seats. Mercedes consulted physiotherapists and psychologists to develop its massaging seats, which in front have an integrated warming function and six massage programs. Seats with ventilation have four fans in the seat cushion and two fans in the backrest. The S-Class also offers heated armrests, and the rear seat belt buckles only appear when the rear doors are opened.

Once your chauffeur gets on the highway, he shouldn't have an issue staying in his lane. The latest version of Mercedes' Distronic cruise control works in stop-and-go traffic and can now keep drivers centered in their lane on straightaways and gentle curves, thanks in part to the stereo camera in the front of the car. The camera can recognize lane markings, or, when those aren't clearly discernable in traffic, the vehicle ahead, then apply the appropriate steering torque and stay in the middle of the lane.

Two 12.3-inch displays keep the driver informed; one is an instrument cluster while the other is the central display screen. While some features may not make it to the U.S.-spec model, the screen can be equipped with Splitview, which shows the driver and passenger different content at the same time. The driver and passenger each get two circular air vents below the central dash screen, and there's no shortage of wood trim. All passengers might benefit from the adjustable active perfuming system, which Mercedes notes will not deposit perfume molecules on fabric surfaces or clothes.

There's nothing coupe-like about a 206.5-inch four-door sedan, but that hasn't stopped Mercedes from referencing "coupe-style intentions" with the S-Class' revised exterior design. The 2014 S-Class' larger front grille is more upright, and the horizontal strakes stop just short of the chrome frame. From the front or the side, this is a design that current S-Class owners will easily recognize as similar yet different. From behind, a long strip of chrome lines the top of the license plate area and artfully lit LED taillights stretch the length of the car. The rear windshield's upper edges are rounded off for more "coupe-like" appeal, though two-door fans might simply wait for the anticipated CL-replacing S-Class coupe.

With so much available safety, comfort, and luxury features, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has more than enough in its technology arsenal to impress anyone who walks into a dealership. We wonder whether more moderately equipped models will have the same effect on drivers, but one thing is clear: The S-Class is back in the front of its class with plenty of wow factor.

[King T]

(Car And Driver)









2014 Mercedes-Benz S-class: "Effortless Superiority"

Daimler hasn’t ever claimed its S-class sedan is "the best car in the world"—that was the prerogative of Rolls-Royce. But by any objective standard, it was the S-class that ruled for decades. This hegemony was seriously challenged in 1986 when BMW introduced the second-generation 7-series, and again in 1989 with the Lexus LS, which bested its contemporary S-class in several areas. Ultimately, Daimler added Maybach to its portfolio, implying that there is, actually, something better than the S-class. Alas, Maybach is history, but Benz has an all-new S-class and, while we’ll reserve final judgment until we drive it, we believe Daimler has every reason to describe its new luxury sedan as effortlessly superior.

Internally referred to as W222—long-wheelbase versions carry a code of V222—the 2014 S-class will be launched this fall with a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8 that produces 455 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. An all-wheel-drive version will follow a few months later, as will the über-high-performance S63 AMG. Next year, two V-12–powered models will be added to the lineup: the S600 and the stupid-powerful S65 AMG. Other markets receive a V-6 hybrid, a V-6 turbo-diesel, and a four-cylinder diesel-hybrid that consumes fuel at a level similar to that of a Toyota Prius. Some of these models could be offered stateside some time down the road, but for now, the focus is on the higher-performance models. The only available transmission is Benz's smooth-shifting seven-speed torque-converter automatic.

For both rear- and all-wheel-drive V-8–powered S550s, Mercedes claims the 0-to-60 sprint will take 4.8 seconds. Top speed is governed at 130 mph, which is 25 mph down on the governor set for European models. No U.S.-market fuel-economy figures are available yet; in Europe, the S550 is rated at an excellent, albeit inflated, 27.4 mpg.

The multi-link Airmatic air suspension has been entirely redesigned, and it can be fitted with a road-sensing system that pre-loads the shocks for the road surface detected. It works at speeds up to 80 mph, and has provided remarkable results in a prototype setup we drove two years ago. The S-class now comes with electro-mechanical steering, a technology we have made peace with on several occasions. But while the chassis will allow for high cornering speeds, the main focuses of the S are luxury and safety.

In fact, the occupants of the S-class will travel in what Mercedes describes as "splendid isolation," guarded from noise, vibration, and other intrusions. The interior—which we sampled a couple of months ago—is equipped with a plethora of comfort and luxury systems, and the options sheet makes that of the old Maybach look rather limited. An energizing hot-stone massage, a fragrance system, or a five-theme interior-illumination system emphasize this sedan's claim to provide more luxury than anyone else in this prestigious segment. For the audio system, Daimler has enlisted the help of Dieter Burmester of Porsche and Bugatti fame. His high-end home stereo systems are well known in the German-speaking world; with the new S-class, this familiarity is likely to spread.

The sumptuous interior comes with a pair of 12.3-inch TFT screens, an unusual two-spoke steering wheel, and a large number of different wood and color themes, including a blue-and-beige combination. The exterior styling is sleeker and somewhat less busy than the outgoing model, although it features a frighteningly massive grille. An AMG package, which we predict will be highly popular in the U.S., adds larger front air intakes and wider sills. For the second time in the history of the S-class, the development focus was on the long-wheelbase version, as it was with the W140, introduced in 1991, where the short-wheelbase variation was added late in the development process.

Mercedes says that its latest and most ambitious vehicle aims at "effortless superiority," a statement that, on paper, we think is quite apt for the new S-class. Whether Daimler can lay claim to “the best car in the world,” well, we’ll have to wait until we drive it.

[King T]

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Overwhelms With Innovation

It’s hard to pick a starting point with the all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

This full-size luxury sedan, which hits showrooms in September, is absolutely bristling with technology: 3D cameras, radar, night vision, LED headlights and taillights that adjust their brightness automatically.

And that barely scratches the surface. The interior is loaded with impressive features too, which we discuss here.

But after seeing the new Mercedes flagship unveiled on a stage at the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Germany, and plowing through a 104-page press release, here is the key takeaway: The 2014 S-Class brings us one step closer to automated driving. It has cameras that act as eyes and radar sensors that act as ears, for a 360-degree view of the road.

It knows when cars are approaching too quickly in adjacent lanes and can warn the driver. It knows when a rear-end collision is imminent and can hit the brakes and activate hazard lights to mitigate injury. It can drive itself in gridlock. It can steer out of danger if the driver is too drowsy to stay in the lane.

Much of the technology is standard, and although it seems out of reach for the masses now, it will trickle down to every vehicle, eventually.

The rear-wheel-drive S550, with a 455-horsepower V8, goes on sale in September, followed by an all-wheel-drive version and a high-performance S63 AMG model in November. Next year, a plug-in hybrid and two variants with a V12 engine will debut as 2015 models.

The new S-Class design is drawing mixed reviews here in Hamburg. Some love the restrained styling and long, low proportions. Others bemoan the ornate LED headlights and front grille that is twice as large as before.

Whatever camp people choose as far as looks go, there is no arguing that the 2014 Mercedes S-Class is innovative. And that is what the S-Class always has been. (Notable new technology it has debuted in the past includes antilock brakes in 1978 and airbags in 1981.)

[G-Oil Guy]

It's a beaut but I still prefer the Caddy.

[King T]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

It's a beaut but I still prefer the Caddy.

The Caddy isn't out yet. I was just saying that the upcoming Caddy will have to compete against this , the Audi A8, and BMW 7 Series.

[King T]

[King T]

A whole lot of tech!!

[TOBY J]

i would say the caddy competes more with the c class benz line or the e class.
not many s class buyers are looking at a caddy in a buying decision.
c class and e class run from 65k to 90k
while the s class is more in the 120k-190k range with options or amg models
not a fan of the new s class from the pics i've seen around.

[King T]

Originally Posted by TOBY J

i would say the caddy competes more with the c class benz line or the e class.
not many s class buyers are looking at a caddy in a buying decision.
c class and e class run from 65k to 90k
while the s class is more in the 120k-190k range with options or amg models
not a fan of the new s class from the pics i've seen around.

Very true.

Cadillac ATS-Mercedes C Class
Cadillac CTS-Mercedes E Class
Cadillac SRX-Mercedes ML Class
Cadillac currently doesn't have a full size flagship sedan like the S-Class, but if I can remember correctly that one has been green lighted recently.

I am more impressed with the tech of this new S-Class than the looks. Looks-wise it is evolutionary instead of revolutionary.

[King Sun]

ITs not even fair to mention this car in the same breath of a xts