STUTTGART: When Mercedes unveils its new S-Class in September, the German carmaker's flagship will serve as the new guiding star for the luxury class, with chief engineer Juergen Weissinger promising new performance in intelligence, efficiency and convenience.
In addition to the standard air suspension, the S-Class will be outfitted with an advanced version of an active chassis. This not only compensates for curved slopes, but also raises the car by 8cm in fractions of a second before an impending collision, transferring the energy from the impact to the most stable part of the car's body.
With up to 16 airbags and numerous safety features, the S-Class is the safest limousine in the world, says Weissinger.
The carmaker also wants to set a new standard when it comes to comfort, for example offering massage seats in the rear, while the driver and passenger up front have their necks cradled by heated sofa cushions.
Another highlight of the limousine is its rear axle steering, which is much more effective than the competition's.
"With it, the luxury car is as easy to manoeuvre as a compact class sedan, and saves up to 2 metres in turning radius," says Weissinger. In fact, even the S-Class' long version no longer needs 11 metres to make a turn.
In addition to the extra technology, the S-Class has also grown in its wheelbase and length, with the standard version now stretching 5.15 metres, while the extended version measures 5.25 metres.
Yet it doesn't consume any more fuel than before, thanks to its reduced weight and drag coefficient, as well as new motors planned.
All 6- and 8-cylinders will drive as mild hybrids. The plug-in hybrid will have an electric range of 100 kilometres, Weissinger says, while AMG variants and a V12 are also in the works. There is only one electric version — understandable, considering the all-electric EQS is set to roll out just a few months after the S-Class does.
