When a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class appears, the (car) world stops and pays attention. Time to stop again to learn more about the new generation of the S-Class W223.
Mercedes-Benz has been unveiling the new W223 S-Class little by little in recent weeks, where we could see its advanced interior — with an emphasis on the generous center screen — or its dynamic and safety technologies, such as the E-suspension. ACTIVE BODY CONTROL, capable of analyzing the road ahead and individually adapting the damping to each wheel.
But there is more, much more to discover about the new W223 S-Class, especially when it comes to the technologies it brings.
MBUX, second act
The digital takes on an ever greater prominence, highlighting the second generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which now has the ability to learn, up to five screens can be accessed, some of which with OLED technology.
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The MBUX, says Mercedes, guarantees a more intuitive operation and even more personalization, even for the rear passengers. Also noteworthy is the 3D screen that allows a three-dimensional effect without the need to use 3D glasses.
Complementing this are two head up displays, with the largest being able to provide augmented reality content — for example, without using navigation, the fork indications, in the shape of an arrow, will be projected directly onto the road.
The “Hello Mercedes” assistant has also gained learning and dialogue skills by activating the online services in the Mercedes me App. And now there is even the possibility to remotely control and monitor our home — temperature, lighting, curtains, electrical appliances — with the MBUX Smart Home (if we live in a “smart home”).
"Third house"
The concept pursued by those responsible for the interior of the new W223 S-Class is that it should be the “third house”, in the words of Mercedes-Benz, “a refuge between home and workplace”.
It doesn't matter if it's the standard or long version, the German saloon offers more space compared to its predecessor, at the expense, it's certainly bigger outside dimensions.
It is 5179 mm in length (+54 mm than the predecessor) for the standard version and 5289 mm (+34 mm) for the long version, 1954 mm or 1921 mm (if we choose the handles at the face of the bodywork) in width (+55 mm/+22 mm), height 1503 mm (+10 mm), and wheelbase 3106 mm (+71 mm) for the standard version and 3216 mm for the long version (+51 mm).
The interior design is, as we have seen, revolutionary… for an S-Class. It generated controversy when we revealed the first images of the interior, but the new design, more minimalist, with fewer buttons, inspired by its lines by the interior architecture and even incorporating elements of yacht design, seeks the “desired harmony between digital and analogue luxuries”.
The appearance of the prominent displays can, however, be changed, with four styles to choose from: Discreet, Sporty, Exclusive and Classic; and three modes: Navigation, Assistance and Service.
Another highlight is the substantial seats that promise a lot of comfort, relaxation (10 massage programs), correct posture and wide adjustments (up to 19 servomotors included, per seat). It's not just the front seats, the passengers in the second row have up to five versions available, which make it possible to configure the second row as a work or rest area.
To complete this refuge, we also have the Energizing Comfort programs, which combine various comfort systems (lighting, air conditioning, massages, audio) present in the S-Class to create more invigorating or relaxing experiences when traveling.
the engines
“Third house” or not, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is still a car, so it's time to know what makes it move. The German brand announces more efficient engines, with the initial engines being all six-cylinder in-line gasoline (M 256) and diesel (OM 656), always associated with the 9G-TRONIC, a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The M 256 has 3.0 l of capacity and declines in two variants, both aided by a mild-hybrid 48 V system, or EQ BOOST, in Mercedes language:
- S 450 4 MATIC — 367 hp between 5500-6100 rpm, 500 Nm between 1600-4500 rpm;
- S 500 4 MATIC — 435 hp between 5900-6100 rpm, 520 Nm between 1800-5500 rpm.
The OM 656 has 2.9 l of capacity, not being supported by the EQ BOOST, declining in three variants:
- S 350 d — 286 hp between 3400-4600 rpm, 600 Nm between 1200-3200 rpm;
- S 350 d 4MATIC — 286 hp between 3400-4600 rpm, 600 Nm between 1200-3200 rpm;
- S 400 d 4MATIC — 330 hp at 3600-4200 rpm, 700 Nm at 1200-3200 rpm.
Shortly after launch, a mild-hybrid gasoline V8 will be added, and by 2021 an S-Class plug-in hybrid will arrive, promising 100km of electric range. Everything points to the V12, previously considered extinct, also appearing again, but should be exclusive to the Mercedes-Maybach.
And an electric S-Class? There will be one, but not based on the W223, with this role to be assumed by the unprecedented EQS, a different model from the S-Class, whose prototype we were able to drive:
Level 3
The W223 S-Class promises greater capabilities in semi-autonomous driving, having everything needed to reach level 3 in autonomous driving. It has everything you need (and then you just need to do a remote update to activate it), but it won't be able to take advantage of those capabilities until the second half of 2021 — if everything goes as planned — by which time it should be legal… in Germany.
Mercedes-Benz calls its DRIVE PILOT system, and it will allow the S-Class W223 to drive on its own in a conditional way, “in situations where the traffic density is high or in the tails of traffic queues, on appropriate sections of highway”.
Also with regard to parking, the driver will be able to park or remove his vehicle from the place using the smartphone, with the remote parking assistant, with the operation of this system (already present in the predecessor) having been simplified.
digital lights
First in the S-Class W223 and Mercedes-Benz is the optional Digital Light system. This system integrates in each headlamp three high power LEDs, whose light is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro mirrors. The Digital Light system allows for new features, such as projecting additional information about the road:
- Warning about detecting road works by projecting an excavator symbol onto the road surface.
- Guidance of a light projector as a form of warning towards pedestrians detected on the side of the road.
- Traffic lights, stop signs or prohibition signs are highlighted by projecting a warning symbol on the road surface.
- Assistance in narrow lanes (road works) by projecting guidance lines onto the road surface.
The interior ambient lighting also becomes interactive (optional), being integrated with the driving assistance systems, being able to alert us, in a more evident way, about possible dangers.
When arrives?
There is more to discover about the new Mercedes-Class S W223, which can be ordered from mid-September and will hit dealers in December.
