Prior to its global premiere in September, Mercedes is giving us a glimpse of what to expect from the W223 S-Class cabin. It promises to be fresh and even more luxurious with a new interior architecture featuring yacht design elements and a new user experience concept for a generous, lounge-type ambience.
The entire dashboard blends with the body of the front trim section to form a single entity. The large central display is now in portrait orientation.
With high ride quality and low noise levels as well as an extensive range of ENERGIZING COMFORT programmes, the S-Class also goes further to look after the well-being of its passengers. They also stay fit thanks to the effective air filtering system, which signals its newly gained capability with the new name ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL.
As China is a key market, Mercedes-Benz is bending over backwards to cater to the whims and fancies of the affluent there. It has developed a special ENERGIZING COMFORT range in China exclusive to that market.
Nearly all comfort-related dimensions of both variants, the S-Class with short and long wheelbase, have been improved on the front as well as on the rear seats.
The active ambient lighting is now integrated into the driving assistance systems and is able to underpin alerts visually. For example, Active Blind Spot Assist warns of an impending collision with a red light animation. In addition, feedback is possible when operating the climate control system or the 'Hey Mercedes' voice assistant, for instance.
Light envelopes all passengers with ambient lighting also from overhead control panel and back of the front seats. There is an LED every 1.6cm in the fibre optics with about 250 LEDs in all. Fibre optics and diffuser make colour progressions and fine-grained animation of a "chase light" possible.
The spacious lounge-like cabin is complemeted by up to five screens and large trim elements in the dashboard and in the rear. A particularly appealing version is open-pore wood veneer permeated by delicate, form-following inlays made of aluminium.
The active ambient lighting is integrated into ENERGIZING COMFORT Control. At the touch of a button or by voice command, its holistic "Fit & Healthy" approach provides a new luxury experience.
Other innovations to expect from the new S-Class are:
> Automatic adjustment of seat and steering wheel via MBUX voice assistant
> Climate-controlled seats now with radial fans
> Completely new head restraint
> Near-ear loudspeakers integrated into front seats
> Cushion massage with six air bladders. Bladders are closer to the surface for greater effect
> All seats with AGR (Healthy Spine Campaign) quality seal
> Up to five rear seat variants to choose from, with two and three seats, reclining seat function, folding centre armrest or business centre console
"Luxury today is defined by comprehensive refinement," said Head of S-Class Product Management Dirk Fetzer.
"A luxurious driving experience depends on a host of factors and must appeal to all the senses. Traditionally, this also includes almost silent travel. But it also includes making life easier for customers, for example, because intuitive operation and comprehensive connectivity save a lot of time."
