This new Mercedes-Benz is clever, illuminated and may even be armoured

The seventh-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class appeared in the marketplace again in 2020, and the flagship saloon obtained the now-traditional upgrades in look, sophistication and technological innovation. Now it’s time for the W223 technology’s so-called mid-life ‘facelift’ (though this time period certainly gained’t endure for for much longer within the auto business).

In addition to tweaks to the styling – principally by way of bringing the lighting, graphics and grille updated – the brand new S-Class additionally ushers in various technological firsts. Ever for the reason that early days of the S-Class, it’s served as the general public stage for a gradual drip-feed of innovation, nearly all of which finally cascades right down to lowlier fashions.

One might need thought that the properly of concepts can be operating dry, provided that Mercedes has tasked itself with discovering new methods of doing issues ever for the reason that first S-Class arrived again in 1972. Nonetheless, a fast skim via the press launch accompanying the brand new mannequin ought to dispel any fears; at over 16,000 phrases, it’s stuffed stuffed with the sort of superlatives that make long-term S-Class consumers attain for his or her wallets.

In some respects, this new model may very well be seen as Gorden Wagener’s swansong, the ultimate flowering of a design directorship that drove a more moderen, bolder definition of luxurious than the sober-suited Mercedes of outdated. When you like lights, in and out, this automotive doesn’t disappoint.

In addition to growing the dimensions of the grille by 20 per cent – placing the S-Class extra consistent with different yawning Merc fashions – the brand new mannequin debuts an optionally available illuminated bonnet-mounted star. The eagle-eyed may even spot the best way that each head- and taillights incorporate the signature three-pointed star motif, whereas, inside, the neon fever dream continues with extra temper lighting than the VIP lounge in a Baku nightclub.

All this bling is tempered by performance, such because the next-generation digital headlamps, which provide a bigger discipline of illumination, decrease vitality consumption, excessive beams that may throw mild some 600m and the flexibility to auto-detect different autos in order to not dazzle anybody (Mercedes leads the best way on this explicit tech, in our expertise).

One other factor to notice is that the brand new S-Class could be very consciously protecting one foot within the combustion period. Again when the all-electric EQE arrived, it was speculated that this would possibly someday usurp the S-Class’ top-dog place and, to that finish, the flagship was solely each hybridised.

Though there have been loads of raucous AMG variants of the S-Class through the years – the S63 was a specific favorite – the brand new mannequin debuts with a clutch of conventional engines, together with a brand new V8 together with petrol and diesel V6s. Plug-in hybrid energy can also be accessible.

You’ll by no means need for additional energy, or smoothness, however proper now the S-Class is leaning into its limousine roots, with Airmatic suspension and an optionally available E-Energetic clever damping system. In any case, a overwhelming majority of S-Class customers by no means get behind the wheel.

One space the place the S-Class has been unduly influenced by the EQS is the inside. Alongside that lairy lighting are a triple whammy of large touchscreens. Wagener all the time insisted all through his tenure that touchscreens may very well be made actually premium. As dials and buttons creep again into auto interiors throughout the board, Mercedes’ insistence on the ability of contact is beginning to look somewhat bloody-minded.

However, the most recent model of MB.OS builds on what is among the business’s finest interfaces, and there’s additionally an MBUX ‘Digital Assistant’ for the touchscreen phobic.

Speech recognition for this agent is pushed by ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini Automotive tech and Microsoft’s Bing for a very ‘multi agent strategy’ that ought to be capable to keep in mind context of previous conversations. Curiously, Mercedes additionally claims that the automotive’s responses may be ‘empathetic’.

A level of future-proofing can also be supplied by the MB.Drive Help Professional software program, which can come attuned to China’s superior requirements, permitting for ‘seamless point-to-point driving in dense city site visitors’, in addition to a dizzying commonplace package deal of driver help security applied sciences.

Rear seat choices draw closely on the aesthetics and facilities of First Class aviation, with fold-flat seats and enormous leisure screens. Mercedes can also be introducing a Manufaktur Made to Measure tier of personalisation, maybe drawing on the expertise of the Maybach model. Along with extra color and trim choices, door sill branding may be specified and symbols added to seats.

The nervous traveller can specify the brand new Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 680 Guard 4Matic with VR10, courtesy of the corporate’s specialist armoured car division. Providing safety in opposition to explosives and bullets, full with an emergency contemporary air provide for gasoline assaults and an automated fire-extinguishing system, the S 680 Guard gives heavy-duty peace of thoughts.

The ‘commonplace’ automotive shall be secure sufficient for many. Choices and equipment seem limitless. There’s the built-in Amazon Music and Disney+ system, paired with – on the prime possibility stage – a 39-speaker Burmester audio system with Dolby Atmos. Illuminated cup holders. Heated seat belts. Onboard Groups conferences. Air vents that may mechanically swivel to eight particular person positions. Six totally different seat therapeutic massage programmes, together with a sizzling stone session.

This cavalcade of superlatives and novelties is unsurprising, provided that Mercedes claims that greater than 50 per cent of the automotive is freshly developed or considerably up to date from the unique W223.

We’ll be getting behind the wheel of this ultra-intelligent machine sooner or later.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class, from €121,356.20 (S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon), Mercedes-Benz.com, @MercedesBenz