0 The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class: The model range - The assignment: perfection

The best automobile in the world – every new generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has earned this accolade anew for itself. The logical goal in the book of specifications for the coming model was therefore: perfection to the last detail. New ideas and their painstaking realisation underpin the high standards that the engineers have set for the Mercedes-Benz flagship model – and for themselves.

For the first time in the history of the S-Class, the development focus was on the long-wheelbase Saloon. Unlike before, the standard-wheelbase version was derived from this. This is because the S-Class is not only firmly positioned as a prestige saloon in the large overseas markets such as the USA, China or Japan. Whereas in Europe and North America S-Class owners are frequently behind the wheel themselves, the flagship model in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car portfolio is very much a chauffeur-driven vehicle in Asia.

There are two body lengths to choose from: 5248 and 5116 millimetres – 42 and 40 millimetres longer than the predecessor model respectively. Whereas the wheelbase has stayed the same at 3165 and 3035 millimetres, the track width has increased by 24 and 31 millimetres to 1624 (front) and 1637 millimetres (rear) respectively.

The occupants of the new S-Class benefit from the moderate increase in vehicle size by an improvement in all the interior dimensions: there are 12 millimetres more maximum headroom for the driver, as well as 14 millimetres more shoulder room and 10 millimetres more elbow room in the front. Thanks to the 14-millimetre increase in rear kneeroom, travel becomes even more comfortable for passengers in the rear. Shoulder room in the rear has been improved by up to nine millimetres.

Over 3.5 million customers and numerous awards

The Mercedes-Benz flagship model, which has now been known as the S-Class for over 40 years, has not only proven immensely popular with customers for many years. It also has a string of awards to its name, underlining its class. In 2011, for example, the S-Class received the award for best car in the luxury segment from the German magazine "auto motor und sport" and the accolade "Prestige Car of the Year" from "Motoring Television" in North America. In addition to this, the S-Class won the J. D. Power APEAL Award for the best vehicle in the segment in terms of efficiency, technology and design for the fourth time in succession in 2010. Furthermore, the S-Class underlined its pioneering role in the field of green technology in the premium segment by winning the "World Green Car of the Year 2012" award.

Even in the year leading up to the model change, the S-Class continued to be very popular with customers. A total of 65,128 S-Class Saloon models were handed over to their new owners. The Mercedes-Benz brand's flagship model thus remained the world's best-selling luxury saloon.

Over 500,000 models from the last S-Class model series have been delivered to customers around the world since its launch in September 2005, meaning that this S-Class sold even better than the previous generation.

Since the launch of the 220 model that laid the foundations for the S-Class model series, Mercedes-Benz has delivered more than 3.5 million of these vehicles to customers all around the world.

Credits: Daimler AG

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