The Mercedes-Benz S-Class (read our launch report here) has been the automotive symbol of luxury for a long time, showing off the brand's engineering expertise and the latest in cutting-edge automotive technology. While the Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes-EQS are undoubtedly on the receiving end of much more hype, the S-Class is still a fantastic vehicle in its own right and the pride and joy of the Stuttgart-based luxury brand.
Related: Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (2022) First drive
My colleague Lawrence drove the S350d model recently (read his full review here) while I had the Mercedes-Benz S500 L 4MATIC AMG Line (R2 811 764 - see above) on test, and what an experience it has been, as I am a huge fan of the brand’s technological developments and how they function to make driving easier, more relaxed, and safer in general. I am yet to drive the Mercedes-AMG S models.
In this article, we'll look at some of the coolest features in the S-Class (also read Sean's review) that truly impressed. It's worth noting that although S-Class may be new to SA, it was released in Europe in 2020 already, and many of these features are now filtering down to more affordable models, such as the Augmented Reality Satnav in the new Mercedes-Benz GLC we drove on launch recently.
Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S Coupe review (2020): A muscle car that can double as family transport
MBUX User Experience
The latest MBUX 2.0 system is now available to everyone on board the S-Class, not just the driver, which makes sense, as the rear occupants will be the VIPs in many cases.
Since 2016, the MBUX system's advanced voice recognition technology has always allowed the driver to talk to the S-Class (and sometimes listen to the front passenger as well), but the upgraded version is able to tell the voices of the regular occupants apart. It will actually go as far as learning the individual characteristics of these different voices and then being able to activate specific users’ profiles and seat settings!
Also, the new system allows for some commands without saying the magic “Hey Mercedes” words first, like when you want to accept a phone call, you just say “Accept Call.” There is also a new ‘Chit-Chat’ and knowledge domain that works a lot like Siri or your Google Assistant - you can even ask “her” to tell you a joke!
And if that’s not enough, the Interior Assistant uses algorithms and laser cameras in the overhead control unit to track the driver's and passengers' movements and gestures, allowing specific users to control things like the climate control, ambient lighting, and infotainment system without touching any buttons, thanks to the image data from the cameras, which is directly converted into metadata. Welcome to the future, right?
Augmented Reality Head-Up Display & Navigation
The MBUX system's augmented reality head-up display is one of the most impressive features for the driver. Gone are the days of looking at the arrows on the Satnav screen and missing your turnoff because the display wasn’t realistic. It has happened to me countless times.
Augmented Reality Head-Up Display and Navigation also work by projecting important information onto the windshield, but in this case, it uses a forward-facing camera to add navigation instructions to live footage of the road ahead. The arrows that direct you look as though they are literally placed on the road in front of you - and when we said that the S-Class can do this too, you’d probably think we were lying, but take a look at the next impressive feature:
Digital Light Headlights
If you (or your mature chauffeur) have difficulty seeing at night, the Digital Light Headlights are a R40,000 feature that is well worth the money. It’s an absolute game changer for people who don’t like driving after dark or individuals with astigmatism, where the eye shape doesn’t allow enough light into the retina and results in poor vision in low light conditions.
The S-Class digital headlights involve over a million micro-reflectors in each headlamp that can be individually controlled. This allows the headlights to project images, symbols, and animations directly onto the road ahead of your S-Class! For example, these headlamps can actually cast a directional arrow of light onto the road when the navigation system senses that a turn is approaching.
Similarly, if the car is approaching a pedestrian, the headlights can project a warning symbol on the road to alert you to their presence. The Digital Light technology can also project animations, such as a zebra crossing, to help make you aware of the presence of pedestrians or cyclists! There is also a symbol displayed on the tarmac when there are roadworks ahead, or you’ll see an image of a snowflake when you’re approaching an area where it’s snowing!
The 31-speaker Burmester 4D sound system
If you ever thought you "felt" the music at a concert or over a really amazing sound system, the Burmester 4D will top it. With a meaty subwoofer, two 1750W amplifiers, 31 speakers, and 8 “exciters” that are mounted to the seats and headrests for what Mercedes-Benz calls Sound Massage, you are fully immersed in whatever you’re listening to, and you will literally feel the music through the seats! This functionality costs almost R148,000.
Rear-seat entertainment
The MBUX system's rear-seat entertainment system has two 11.6-inch touchscreens mounted on the backs of the front seats, and there’s a central digital tablet that can be removed and works like any tablet or large smartphone. This allows passengers to watch movies, stream music or play games while the car is on the move. The system even has the functionality to view the driver’s driving data in real-time. So if you’re the VIP sitting at the back and you reckon your chauffeur isn’t driving properly, you can tell him to ease off the throttle or the brakes—whatever you feel needs improvement!
Energising Comfort Control
LONG day in the office of your Forbes 500 company? Do not fear, your car’s got you, even if no one else does. The MBUX system's Energising Comfort Control feature allows you to customise the settings to invigorate or relax you by changing up the cabin’s ambient lighting, music, climate control, seat massage, and even the scent in the cabin.
There are a variety of comfort programs such as Refresh, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, and Well-Being. There is even a power nap function that creates the ideal surroundings to catch a few Zs if you’re early for an important meeting! This program will move the seat to a more relaxed position, close the sun blinds, release relaxing fragrances in the car, play music to help you drift off, and wake you up again with more upbeat surroundings when it’s time to go.
It costs how much with options?
As we've mentioned, the S500 L in AMG Line trim will cost buyers an eye-watering R2 811 764, but if you start ticking options boxes, this can quickly escalate to a good cry. I used Merc’s online car configurator, and by specifying a few luxury 'must-haves', quickly added around R600,000 to the price, bringing the total to just north of R3.4 million. Most of these were specified on our test car.
Want to see these features in the S-Class for yourself? Watch the video of the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
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