More than just a facelift for Merc's 2018 S-Class!
More than just a facelift for Merc's 2018 S-Class!
By Stuart Johnson
The invite read: “Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift.” But once the country’s motoring media had assembled at the site of Mercedes-Benz’s Umhlanga dealership for the launch of this new superlux sedan offering, we realised that there was a lot more to this mid-lift nip and tuck than merely a new grille and tail-light makeover.
A total of 6 500 new parts in the “facelift” model
No less than 6 500 new parts have been fitted to the new S-Class, and yes, the new car is denoted by a new grille, some bumper unit changes, and new LED tail lights. But that’s only the beginning.
New in-line six diesels, petrol engines and a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8
Chief amongst the changes is a whole new engine range for this magnificent car. The new diesel models move from V6 to straight-six configuration, and a new 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo motor replaces the previous 5,6-litre V8 in the S560, and the AMG S 63 . And the S 450 and S 500 get new three-litre in-line petrol engines.
The V12 engine, for those who want bragging rights, is retained for the S 600, the AMG S 65 and the Maybach S 650.
The new engines transform this big S-Class
The new engines really transform the various models, introducing a level of sweetness, refinement and sophistication that had been missing, in particular, in the diesel models. What’s more, they have made huge efficiency gains, as well as lowering emissions considerably, while managing the difficult trick of adding power and torque increases.
A host of comfort and tech additions too
The first thing you’ll notice about the new S-Class upon entering, is that the steering wheels are all new. The Distronic (automatic speed controls) have been moved to the right hand spoke of the three spoke steering wheel, and this has also given the interior a brighter, yet still very classy appearance. The controls for the Distronic and associated functions, as well as the infotainment and instrumentation configuration switchgear on the opposite steering wheel spoke are finished in very high-end bright metal.
A Brand new Take on mood-related comfort
There is also a new level of creature comforts on offer, known collectively as ENERGIZING comfort control (the upper-case usage in the word “Energizing” is one of Mercedes’ favourite things to do).
What this package does is allow you to “network” all the comfort systems in the car to mood-swing settings of your choosing.
Warmth and Vitality to a hard workout
The following six programmes can be selected: Freshness Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort and Training. These “programmes” incorporate the seat massage functions, music and ambient lighting, as well as fragrance options in the car’s climate control system. All these are tailored in various combinations to suit each of the six programmes. And they last for 10 minutes unless you cancel them. You can also download your own music to suit your various ideas of mood, from chilled to hyper!
But what about the car?
Aah, the car! Well, we sampled various models in the nine-car range. And the one that impressed us, perhaps, the most, was the S 400 d.
This uses a 250 kW version of the all-new straight-six diesel engine. And apart from offering 700 Nm of torque from its 2 925 cc displacement, it is so smooth that it is a whole dimension ahead of the rather dated V6 diesel it replaces. On start up and hard acceleration, there is no clatter, merely a turbine-like smoothness and accompanying pleasant soundtrack.
The new straight-six engine( in petrol and diesel form) also enables the use of the new 48-volt energy capacity system, which supplements, but does not replace the traditional 12-volt system. What this new system does is to enable the usage of all the electrical systems that a car like the S-Class contains, and do so reliably, without a potentially debilitating energy drain on the traditional battery.
Effortless thrust
The new engine provides effortless thrust in conjunction with the nine-speed automatic gearbox (and the 4Matic all-wheel-drive, standard on the S 400 D) . It accelerates the car to 100 km/h in 5,2 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h, so thrust is adequate, to paraphrase a certain old-school British manufacturer (hint: the one with the mascot of a lady with wings on the bonnet).
What we also enjoyed on the 400 d was the use of slightly higher profile tyres on this car, which really do justice the kind of wafting, controlled elegance that this car is capable.
The only thing we didn’t enjoy about the 400 d was that the brakes seemed very “squishy” almost as if the pads were too soft. But then, we were comparing it to AMG brakes, as we’d just stepped out of one of the performance models.
The V12 S 65
And talking of which, if it’s thrust with a Capital T you are after, then the Mercedes-AMG S65 remains the car for you. This V12-engined beast will accelerate you to 100 km/h in 4,3 seconds and get to the electronically-limited 250 km/h in the time it takes to read a utility bill. However, the top speed can be raised to 300 km/h by purchasing the optional AMG Drivers Package for this car.
Notably , the new S 63 with its 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, is now substantially quicker than the S 65! With 450 kW and 900 Nm of torque on tap, it will rush you to 100 km/h in just 3,5 seconds, enough to blow many a Porsche and Ferrari into the weeds. This is all the more extraordinary, as these big AMG S-Class cars weigh over 2 200 kg!
Curve Tilt Control is weird
Even with 335 by 35 series rubber on 20-inch rims, these cars still enjoy an amazing ride quality. But of it is waft-ability that blows your ears back, then you should opt for one of the cars fitted with the new Curve Tilt Control, which effectively “leans” the car’s suspension system into a corner like a motorcycle, while keep the cabin absolutely upright.
We tried this system on the S 600, the V12 luxury-orientated model fettled with slightly less power than the S 65. This one has a “mere” 390 kW and 830 Nm.
Getting back to the Curve Tilt Control system, well, it feels weird. It not only adjusts the suspension, it adjusts the steering so that it has virtually no feel whatsoever, and I likened it to the early power-assist steering systems fitted o the 1958 Pontiac Bonnevile! No connectivity between occupants and the road, then, but it seems that’s what this system is all about. Merc doesn’t consider the sensibilities of Jeeves the chauffeur in this case, but rather the cossetted passengers in the rear seat of the long-wheel base car. They, who must be protected from lateral G-forces at all cost!
Only long wheel base Merc S-Class models now on offer
Incidentally, from now, all Mercedes’ S-Class sedans are of the long wheel base configuration, which means they have huge rear legroom and an overall length of just over 5,2 metres. According to MBSA, once the long wheel base version of this car was introduced a few years ago, there was zero demand for the shorter version initially launched here.
In short, here is the range and the pricing. All of them are the so called L” or long-wheel-base models. This includes the special Maybach model line-up, which is in two variants, and features slightly different styling to the standard S-Class, an increased wheelbase and a length of 5,4 metres, as well as super-luxury trim.
Mercedes-Benz S 350 d RR1 620 000
Mercedes-Benz S 400 d R1 690 000
Mercedes-Benz S 450 R1 620 000
Mercedes-Benz S 560 R2 040 000
Mercedes-Benz S 600 R2 600 000
Mercedes-Maybach S 560 R2 450 000
Mercedes-Maybach S 650 R3 210 000
Mercedes-AMG S 63 R2 760 000
Mercedes-AMG S 65 R3 410 000
Summary
A brilliant car that has become more so. But it remains very expensive, even before you start adding options.