OFFICIAL: The new Mercedes S-Class is here. PHOTO GALLERY

After three episodes in which it presented the new MBUX system, the new black steering and the new comfort facilities, Mercedes officially presented the new Mercedes S-Class W223.

The new Mercedes S-Class W223 can be ordered from September 2020 onwards and the first delivery will take place in December. Sandown Mercedes has a brilliant range of Mercedes S-Class finance and lease offers.

Very good Cx and even better sound insulation

The design and proportions of the body are classic. The front overhangs are short with a long wheelbase. A novelty are the door handles integrated in the body. They cost extra and come out when the driver approaches the car and touches the outside surface of the door handle.

The tracks are wide and so is the radiator grille that dominates the front. The radiator grille is flanked by narrower and longer headlights that also integrate LED daytime running lights. At the bottom, the lower grille stretches the entire length of the car. And in the rear, the long and narrow taillights attract attention.

The body design also aimed at obtaining efficient aerodynamics. With a Cx of only 0.22, the new S-Class has one of the best aerodynamics in the luxury class.
Thanks to the widespread use of sound-absorbing materials, Mercedes promises that the new S-Class is even quieter.

6 cylinder engine at start, V8 and PHEV will come later

The new 3-liter in-line 3-liter petrol engines (M256) and the new 3-liter in-line 6-cylinder diesel (OM656) will be available at the start of sales.

The petrol versions S 450 4Matic/367 HP and S 500 4Matic/435 HP  features an integrated starter alternator (ISG) and electric compressor.

The integrated starter alternator provides an additional 22 HP and 250 Nm and supports the engine at start and acceleration while the electric compressor provides the necessary boost until the turbo comes into operation completely eliminating turbo lag.

The diesel versions S 350 d/ S 350 d 4Matic/286 HP and S 400 d 4Matic/330 HP have two SCR catalysts and a DPF particle filter.

Shortly after launch, the bi-turbo petrol V8 engine will be available, which will also receive an integrated starter alternator and a 48V network.
In 2021, a Plug-In Hybrid with an electric range of around 100 km will be available.

More space in all directions

The new Mercedes S-Class is still available with two wheelbases. The track are also wider and the wheelbase of the short version is 71 mm longer than at the old generation.
Kneeroom in the rear has increased by 41 mm and elbow space increased by 38 mm in front and 23 mm in the rear. The headroom in the rear has also been increased by 8 mm.
Here are all the dimensions.

Optional full steering and level 3 autonomous driving

The new Mercedes S-Class has a 4-link front axle and a redesigned multilink rear axle to accommodate the new integral steering. The rear axle rests on an aluminum subframe and the adaptive Airmatic air suspension is standard.

The driver can choose Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual modes and the aditional Battery Level and Electric modes also appear on the future Plug-In Hybrid version.
In Comfort mode, the suspension drops by 10 mm at over 120 km/h and by another 10 mm at over 160 km/h. On Sport mode it is always lowered by 10 mm and on Sport + by 17 mm. At speeds up to 60 km/h the suspension can be raised by 30 mm at the push of a button.

Integral steering  is optional, with two systems available: one with a rear steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees and one with up to 10 degrees. S-Class models with integral steering have an aprox. 15% more direct steering ratio at the front axle.

Integral steering can also be combined with all-wheel drive. For 4Matic versions with short wheelbase, the turning circle is reduced from 12.5 meters to 11.6 meters and 10.7 meters, respectively, if the integral steering is chosen with a steering angle of 4.5 and 10 degrees, respectively. On 4Matic versions with long wheelbase, the integrasl steering reduces the turning circle from 12.8 to 11.9 and 10.9 meters, respectively.

In combination with the new Mercedes S-Class Drive Pilot system, it will be possible to drive autonomously up to 60 km/h according to level 3 of autonomous driving starting from the second half of 2021.

According to information provided by Mercedes, the legislation will adopt level 3 of autonomy in Germany in the second half of 2021. It is not known when the system will be offered on other continents because the availability depends on the legislation.

The revolutionary E-Active Body Control suspension, which replaced the Magic Body Control system, is also available as an option. It also has an additional safety function that in the event of a side impact automatically raises the body by 8 cm to protect passengers.

The long-wheelbase version also offers the world’s first rear passenger airbag. Together with the seat belt, it offers additional protection to the rear passengers and avoids contact with the backrests of the front seats.

Second generation MBUX multimedia system

The second generation of the intelligent multimedia system MBUX is available on the new S-Class. The interior of the car is now even more digital and smart, as both the hardware and the software have been updated: bright displays for up to 5 large screens, most with OLED technology, facilitate control of the vehicle and comfort functions.

And the possibility of customization and intuitive operation has become even wider. This aspect is visible to both rear passengers and the driver: for example, the new 3D display for the driver allows, for the first time, spatial viewing at the touch of a button. A 3D effect is obtained without the need for special 3D glasses.

Two head-up displays (HUD) are available on request. The larger HUD display allows AR content. Thus, during navigation, the arrows are projected virtually on the road. Active Distance Assist information is presented for the assistance functions – the image appears, virtually, at a distance of 10 m. The display area corresponds to a monitor with a diagonal of 77 inches.

The “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant is now even more able to learn and interact, by activating online services, within the Mercedes me App. Moreover, certain actions can be performed without the activation phrase, “Hey Mercedes”. These include answering a phone call. “Hey Mercedes” now explains the car’s functions and answers general questions. In the New S-Class, the voice assistant can also be controlled by the rear passengers.

Using the camera located on the control panel on the ceiling and algorithms, MBUX Interior Assist recognizes and anticipates the needs and actions of passengers, interpreting the position of the head, gestures and body language; thus responds with the related functions.

As standard, the new S-Class comes with a 12.3-inch display for instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait for the multimedia system. The driver and media display provide a complete aesthetic experience. And the appearance of the screens can be customized, choosing between four display styles (Discreet, Sporty, Exclusive, Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Optionally you can order 3D display for instrument cluster with face recognition and 12.8-inch screen with OLED technology for the multimedia system.

Also optional, the Rear Seat Entertainment package allows you to set up two 11.6-inch screens in the rear  and a 7-inch tablet in the rear armrest.

Automated parking without driver

The driver can park and unpark the car via smartphone with remote parking assist. Operation has been simplified considerably. If specified with preinstallation for the INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT, the S-Class is prepared for Automated Valet Parking (AVP, SAE Level 4).

In conjunction with the necessary optional equipment and the corresponding Connect service (depending on country), the new S-Class has the onboard technology to enter and leave multi-storey car parks equipped with an AVP infrastructure in highly automated mode and without a driver, provided that national legislation permits such operation.

As standard, the new Mercedes S-Class is equipped with Active Parking Assist with a reversing camera while the 360 degrees camera is optional.

The Driving Assistance package include:
– Active Distance Assist Distronic
– Active Steering Assist
– Traffic Sign Assist
– Active Lane Keeping Assist
– Active Lane Changing Assist
– Active Emergency Stop Assist
– Active Brake assist with cross-traffic function
– Active Blid Spot Assist and exit warning function
– Evasive Steering Assist
– Pre safe Impulse Side (raise of E-Active Body Control suspension with 8 cm, see above)

Seats: Exceptional comfort

The seats invite passengers to sit and relax. Up to 19 electric motors  in the front seats ensure their comfort – thus emphasizing the complexity of the technology installed in the seats.

But comfort is not everything: the seats also play an important role in terms of safety and well-being: all the seats available for the S-Class have the Healthy Seating  certification.

Ten different massage programs are available for the new S-Class. They use  motors with vibration and can provide a relaxing massage effect, similar to volcanic rock massage.

Intelligent light system

LED technology has enabled the adoption of active ambient light that is integrated into the driving assistance package. For example, the Active Blind Spot Wizard warns of an impending collision with a red light animation.

The LED ambient light system uses fiber optics made of a transparent material. There are 250 LEDs distributed at a distance of 1.6 cm. The ambient light has a brightness 10 times higher than in the past (200 candles per square meter) being visible in daylight. Colors and brightness (20 levels) can be changed from the MBUX multimedia system.

Ambient light is also included in the Energizing Comfort package. This way the system creates an optimal atmosphere – invigorating in case of fatigue or relaxed in case of a high level of stress.

The Energizing Comfort package has undergone a number of improvements:
– the programs remained the same Refresh, Vitality, Warmth, Joy, Comfort but their character is better highlighted
– within each program there is the Join mode (a passenger can follow a running program) and the Share mode (a separate program can be suggested to a certain passenger)

The comfort of the seats has been improved. The air-conditioned seats have radial slots, the air chambers at the massage function are closer to the surface of the seat, so to the back of the passenger, the massage being more efficient. The “confy pillow” function allows the neck to be warmed at the rear seats.

A new ADAPT function has appeared in which the driver’s seat and steering wheel are automatically adjusted by entering the driver’s height in the MBUX system.

In the rear are offered configurations with bench, two individual seats, with functions of accentuated inclination of the backrest and Business center console.