0 From 20th July 2013 at dealers: The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class makes its appearance

With its three development priorities of "Intelligent Drive", "Efficient Technology" and "Essence of Luxury", the new S-Class is broadening technical horizons at many levels. As was the case with each previous generation, customers expect the new S-Class to set standards in every respect – and to earn for itself once again the accolade of "The best car in the world". From 20th July, customers will be able to experience the new S-Class 'live' at their local Mercedes-Benz dealership.

"The S-Class is the technological spearhead not only of Mercedes-Benz but of automotive development per se. And has been for decades. This is why the S-Class is also the world's best-selling luxury vehicle", emphasised Dr Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales and Marketing. "Even before the official market launch we have received 20,000 orders. With this enormous interest in the car I am certain that the success of the S-Class will continue."

The new S-Class has already been the recipient of several awards in the Automotive Brand Contest 2013: both the exterior and the interior design were given the accolade "Best of Best". The Automotive Brand Contest is organised by the well-known "Rat für Formgebung" (Design Council).

Perfection to the last detail: new ideas, painstakingly implemented

Perfection down to the last detail creates "The Essence of Luxury". These efforts to achieve the very best possible can be seen, for example, in the vehicle interior: Whether the seats or the air conditioning, whether operation or design, whether infotainment or rear-seat comfort and safety – new ideas, their painstaking realisation and the very highest perceived quality underline the expectations of the engineers for the Mercedes-Benz flagship model – and for themselves.

The same applies to safety: what began with PRE-SAFE® ten years ago and continued with DISTRONIC PLUS is now leading to a new dimension in driving. Comfort and safety have blended into one. Mercedes-Benz calls this "Intelligent Drive". A large number of new systems make the new S-Class even more comfortable and safe.

The efficiency with which the S-Class drives sounds almost utopian: by implementing "Efficient Technology" Mercedes-Benz has for example, within the space of ten years, almost halved fuel consumption in the 150 kW output category to 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres. The drag coefficient of the S-Class improves on its predecessor once again, setting the new benchmark in its segment at Cd = 0.24. Thanks to further detailed aerodynamic improvements, the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID will even better these figures and achieve a new best at Cd = 0.23. The new model is also the first car worldwide to dispense completely with light-bulbs, for example – it only has LEDs. This too points the way to the future.

The drive system: class-leading efficiency in every output category

In its first year the new S-Class line-up features two hybrid versions, one petrol model and a diesel variant: S 400 HYBRID, S 500, S 350 BlueTEC and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. All models boast class-leading efficiency and up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series. All the engines already meet the requirements of the Euro 6 emissions standard. In addition to this, the S 400 HYBRID and S 350 BlueTEC meet the strict criteria of efficiency class A, while the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID even has an A+ rating.

"The new S-Class achieves consumption and emissions figures that only a few years ago would have seemed utopian even in the intermediate class", says Professor Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "And this is just the start of our 'Green Leadership' initiative: soon to be followed by the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID – the first S-Class with fuel consumption lower than four litres per 100 kilometres." The S-Class line-up therefore for the first time now includes the full range from petrol and diesel models to petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrids.

Model data at a glance:

The concept: the best of two worlds

For the first time in the history of the S-Class, the development focus was on the long-wheelbase saloon. In a change from the previous approach, the version with a standard wheelbase was derived from this. This strategy takes account of the fact that the S-Class's clear positioning as a prestige saloon does not only apply in the overseas markets such as the USA, China or Japan. Whereas in Europe and North America, owners of an S-Class are frequently behind the wheel themselves, in Asia the flagship in our passenger car portfolio is very clearly a chauffeur-driven car. The logical consequence of this is a whole range of new features to enhance comfort and safety in the rear of the vehicle – in the S-Class, passengers seated in the rear are very definitely sitting in the best seats just as much as those in the front.

Prices at a glance, incl. 19% VAT:

Over 3.5 million customers and numerous awards

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.

The most important innovations at a glance

Assistance systems

- DISTRONIC PLUS with STEER CONTROL and Stop & Go Pilot

- BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist

- Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus

- Night View Assist Plus

- Active Lane Keeping Assist

- 360° camera

- Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC

- PRE-SAFE® PLUS for protection in the event of a rear end collision

- PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection and urban braking function
Safety

- Belt buckle extender (active belt buckle)

- Adaptive airbag configuration (Active Vent)

- Beltbag for outer rear seats

- PRE-SAFE® impulse

Sound

- Frontbass

- Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound system

Chassis and suspension

- Magic Body Control

- AIRMATIC with variable damper control

Drive system

- Hybrid for diesel engines

Telematics

- COMAND Online (NTG 5)

- Individual Entertainment in the rear

- Mercedes-Benz COMAND control app for the iPhone®

Boot

- HANDS-FREE ACCESS

Seating comfort

- First-Class rear suite (including thermo-cupholders)

- EASY ADJUST luxury head restraint (folding and removable on the front passenger side)

- Luxury head restraint

- Executive seat on front passenger side with leg rest

- ENERGIZING massage function

- Seat climatisation / reversible seat cooling

- Chauffeur position for front passenger seat

Climatic comfort

- Perfuming

- Ionisation

- Armrest heating (Panel Heating)

- Pre-climatisation for hybrids

Light and Sight

- First car to use only LEDs for lighting

- MAGIC VISION CONTROL

- Ambience lighting (extended choice of seven colours)

Credits: Daimler AG

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