Sometimes numbers say more than a thousand words! The following figures are particularly important to Mercedes-Benz, so let’s see whether these figures are really that important: Let’s learn a few facts about the new S-Class that may not have been mentioned in all reports.
The turning circle with rear-axle steering is reduced by up to 2 meters compared to a model without. The maximum steering angle is 10°. But how does this rear axle steering actually work? An electric motor drives a spindle nut on the rear axle via a belt. This moves the spindle axially. Depending on the speed and the steering wheel angle, the rear wheels are turned in the same direction or in the opposite direction as the front wheels (= in the same direction or in the opposite direction). Put simply, there is more agility and a smaller turning circle through steering in the opposite direction and more stability through steering in the same direction. In the S-Class, the full steering angle of ten degrees is used, particularly when parking maneuvers. The environmental data of the vehicle sensors (radar, camera, Ultrasound) are used for large steering angles in order to adapt the maximum angle to the respective situation. At speeds of more than 60 km/h, steering is switched from opposite to the same direction. The different driving programs rely on different steering strategies. In the central display, the respective angle on the rear axle and the trajectories are shown in the driving program menu. The rear axle steering 10° has a special snow chain mode. If the driver activates it, the steering angle on the rear axle is reduced and the steering behavior is adapted to the special conditions on snow. In the central display, the respective angle on the rear axle and the trajectories are shown in the driving program menu. The rear axle steering 10° has a special snow chain mode. If the driver activates it, the steering angle on the rear axle is reduced and the steering behavior is adapted to the special conditions on snow. In the central display, the respective angle on the rear axle and the trajectories are shown in the driving program menu. The rear axle steering 10 ° has a special snow chain mode. If the driver activates it, the steering angle on the rear axle is reduced and the steering behavior is adapted to the special conditions on snow.
“Hey Mercedes” supports 27 languages with Natural Language Understanding (NLU). Could it also speak Klingon? That would be nerdy, wouldn’t it?
The Burmester® high-end 4D surround sound system comprises 31 loudspeakers and eight structure-borne sound converters – it must sound brutal, a concert hall on wheels.
Up to 19 motors in the front passenger seat help you sit comfortably (8 for adjustment, 4 for massage and 5 for ventilation, one for the lumbar support and one moves the monitor on the back). Has ever actually taken the trouble to add up the total torque of all engines installed in a vehicle?
There are 10 different massage programs in the new S-Class. So the S-Class beats the massage studio where I go from time to time – even if the masseurs massage harder, of course, I’m a big fan of the massage function in the vehicle. Just like seat heating, steering wheel heating and armrest heating. Man, what a warm shower am I.
The display area of the augmented reality head-up display corresponds to a monitor with a diagonal of 77 inches. Now he’s exaggerating, right? No! You have to imagine that the field of vision is floating above the bonnet. Accordingly, the information already fits.
With a drag coefficient of 0.22 or more, the S-Class is one of the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles. 0.22 – that is really impressive.
The elbow room has been increased by 38 millimeters for the driver and up to 23 millimeters for the rear passengers compared to the predecessor. In the rear, the headroom has increased by up to 16 millimeters. Sometimes it comes down to a few centimeters more …
The resolution of DIGITAL LIGHT is over 2.6 million pixels per vehicle. Incredible, isn’t it? When I think back to my first monitor, it goes on.
The computing power of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) increased by 50 percent compared to the previous system. A car like this can do more than some game consoles or gaming computers.
In the event of an impending side impact, the body can be raised by up to 8 centimeters using the E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension within a few tenths of a second. This is a new function on the PRE-SAFE® Impulse side. I already know the function from the Audi A8, was able to experience it there and it is really impressive. Even if the weaker road users are at a disadvantage here, of course, because they slam into a harder component of the S-Class in a side impact. S-Class owner first is probably the motto here.
17 stepping motors regulate the temperature and air distribution in the Thermotronic. The 4-zone Thermotronic rear air conditioning even has 20 stepping motors. These electric motors operate the air flaps. There are probably at least 60 engines installed in the vehicle, which is probably an understatement.
Active ambient lighting has an LED in a light guide every 1.6 centimeters. There are around 250 pieces in total. Who doesn’t like fairy lights?
The new OLED central display has the dimensions 239.06 mm x 218.8 mm and offers an active screen diagonal of 12.8 inches. The screen area is 64 percent larger than in the predecessor. The driver display measures 291.6 mm x 109.4 mm and is 12.3 inches diagonal.
The tubular structure of the new rear airbag has a volume of around 16 liters, while the total volume of the open bag is up to 70 liters.
The E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL control units analyze the driving situation 1,000 times per second and adjust the chassis. Think about it! 1000 times per second!
In the S-Class, components with a total weight of over 98 kg made from resource-saving materials are used. Another 40 kg come from renewable raw materials.
223 is the internal name of the new series, the trunk volume is 550 liters.
The new tool for micro-perforating the seats works with 16,000 needles, but every fakir would be jealous, right?
More than a third of all sedans of the last generation of the S-Class went to China. The S-Class customers are the youngest there, with an average age of around 40 years. The S-Class sedan is mainly sold worldwide with a long wheelbase:
Around 9 out of 10 customers opt for the long version of the S-Class sedan.
But what’s new in the S-Class?
The second generation of MBUX is being launched in the new S-Class. Up to five screens, some with OLED technology, are on board. The abbreviation stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. In contrast to LCD technology, an OLED display consists of several organic layers that are applied to a plastic substrate. In the S-Class, the OLED display sits behind a pane and, in combination with the actuators and force sensors behind it, offers a holistic display and operating experience. OLED panels emit light when voltage is applied and, unlike LCDs, do not rely on external backlighting. Electricity is only consumed where pixels are lit. Among other things, this ensures a better black level and even stronger contrasts.
The new 3D driver display enables spatial scene perception with a real depth effect through eye tracking for the first time at the push of a button.
With the help of cameras in the overhead control unit and learning algorithms, the MBUX interior assistant recognizes numerous different operating requests. He interprets the direction of the head, hand movements and body language and reacts with the corresponding vehicle functions. For example, if the driver looks over his shoulder towards the rear window, the MBUX interior assistant automatically opens the sun blind in front of the rear window.
The active ambient lighting with around 250 LEDs is integrated into the driver assistance systems and can visually support their warnings. In addition, feedback when operating the air conditioning or the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant is possible.
The latest generation of the standard driver assistance package contains new and numerous further developed functions. One example is the intelligent adaptation to speed limits. The new assistance display in the driver’s display shows how the driver assistance systems work in a comprehensible and transparent way in a full-screen view.
The rear airbag (special equipment for the S-Class with long wheelbase) can significantly reduce the stress levels on the head and neck for the seated occupants in the outer rear seats in the event of a severe frontal collision. The frontal airbag for the rear seat unfolds particularly gently due to its innovative design with a tube-like structure.
Thanks to the optional rear-axle steering, the S-Class should feel as handy in the city as a compact car. The steering angle on the rear axle is up to ten degrees. The turning circle of the S-Class is reduced by up to two meters with rear-axle steering.
Over 50 electronic components of the new S-Class can be updated over-the-air (OTA) with new software. These include the complete MBUX infotainment system, the driver display, the driver assistance systems and the MULTIBEAM LED and DIGITAL LIGHT lighting systems. This technology saves the customer time because he does not have to drive to the workshop. In addition, his vehicle remains up-to-date throughout its life and is equipped for new features. The prerequisite for OTA updates is always the explicit consent of the user.
It is expected that from the second half of 2021 the S-Class will be able to drive highly automated with the new optional DRIVE PILOT in high traffic or traffic jams on suitable sections of the autobahn in Germany. This should relieve the driver and enable him to do sideline activities such as surfing the Internet or processing e-mails in the in-car office and thus gives the driver time, if this is currently allowed.
The optional DIGITAL LIGHT headlight technology enables completely new functions, such as the projection of auxiliary markings or warning symbols onto the road. DIGITAL LIGHT has a light module in every headlight with three extremely bright LEDs, whose light is refracted and directed with the help of 1.3 million micro mirrors. The resolution per vehicle is therefore over 2.6 million pixels.
Noted: That was the most important thing in brief from the manufacturer! No joke! The manufacturer wanted to tell you about the new Mercedes-Benz!
Personally, I was still missing the following figures, but maybe I’m alone there?
The new S-Class with a short wheelbase is 5.18 meters long, including the exterior mirrors 2.11 meters wide and 1.50 meters high. The wheelbase is 3.11 meters. With a long wheelbase, the S-Class is 5.29 meters long, as the wheelbase is 3.22 meters. The trunk volume is 550 liters each.
Under the bonnet comes a power range between 210 and 320 kW – i.e. 286-435 PS. It is always switched via a 9G-Tronic. The maximum torque is between 500 and 700 Nm, depending on the engine, and in the fastest case it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. A top speed of 250 km/h is mandatory. 3.0 liter 6-cylinder petrol and compression-ignition engines are used under the hood. The petrol engines are given a little electric boost and something else will follow: a V8 engine with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt electrical system will soon be available. A plug-in hybrid with a purely electric range of around 100 kilometers is to follow in 2021.
18-21″ rims rotate in the wheel arches, the recessed door handles are optional.
The price, that will be high, optionally it goes even higher and I ask myself whether the S in the name S-Class now stands for game console on wheels? Without a doubt, the S-Class will continue to be the Mercedes, the vehicle with a lot of space in the rear and the vehicle that makes you wonder whether you prefer to drive yourself or be driven, but the S-Class is still such a statement as it is was yourself? Or is it the driving demonstration of possibilities that, according to the top-down strategy, will sooner or later also appear in other vehicle classes? Am I actually the only one who doesn’t like the tail light design? Questions upon questions! Do you have answers?
