Photo: Mercedes-Benz
This is it, the big night in which Mercedes-Benz is giving us its 2014 S-Class. The wraps have just come off the metal in Hamburg, Germany and not even the heavy rain could stop the S-Class from smiling at the audience.
Nobody was expecting Mercedes-Benz to use any other words than “the best automobile in the world” when describing the 2014 S-Class. Nevertheless, it was difficult to imagine the level to which this car was engineered. To give you an idea of how much the engineers, designers and programmers have put into this car, we’ll tell you this: the glossary of its press release - yes, it has one - is as long as a standard release itself.
While the both the standard and the long wheelbase versions have kept their wheelbase values, they’ve grown a bit in size. The standard S-Class (W222) is now 40 mm (1.6 inches) longer, measuring 5,116 mm (201.4 inches) in length. At the same time, its tracks have grown by 24 (0.95 inches) and 31 millimetres (1.2 inches) to 1,624 mm / 64 inches (front) and 1637 millimetres / 64.5 inches (rear), respectively.
As for the long wheelbase S-Class (V222), this keeps the width and height of the normal model, but measures 5,248 mm (206.5 inches) in length. This is 42 mm (1.7 inches) longer than its predecessor, but keeps the latter's wheelbase value.
Despite the slight increase in size, the Mercedes S-Class is now up to 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter, while the torsional rigidity of its body was increased by 50 percent. The changes were possible through the extended use of aluminum. This now accounts to about 50% of the structure, being accompanied by ultra high strength steel and high strength steel.
All the aforementioned items are shaped into a body that comes with a drag coefficient of 0.24. This comes extremely close to the Mercedes CLA's 0.22 cD, which makes this the most aerodynamic production car in the world.
As for the styling, we feel that the S-Class has been somehow diluted. Its design now tells us that this is the biggest Mercedes in the house, rather than stating something on itself.
Like we said, it doesn’t matter which part of the new S-Class you zoom in on, you’ll be flooded with technology. Let’s take the lighting for example: you’ll never be able to change a light bulb on the S-Class because... well, it doesn’t have any. Instead, it fights the darkness with no less than 500 LEDs, 300 of which are found inside the vehicle.
Speaking of the 2014 Mercedes S-Class’ interior, this is where it becomes clear that the new generation places a much stronger focus on the long wheelbase model. For starters, this is the only one that will be brought to the US.
You can choose between five seating layouts, with the most advanced one offering rear seats that recline to an angle of 43.5 degrees, ofeering calf support and an extra comfort cushion. You can also order a “First Class Rear”, which extends the center console all the way to the back, also offering thermo-cup holders.
While you’re inside, you can have your favorite tunes delivered via one of the three audio systems available. For the new model, Mercedes works with Burmester and the top feature is the latter’s High-End 3D-Surround Sound system.
Mercedes tells us that the new S-Class has six eyes, its cameras and six ears, its radar sensors. These are combined in order to offer “partially autonomous driving”. We’ve been explained that the “fun” part of the driving will never be automated, but the uncool one is already handled by the car.
The Distronic Plus active cruise control system is offered as an example: during traffic jams, this can handle the acceleration, braking and even throttle, make sure that your luxo barge follows the car in front.
When it comes to comfort, you’ll rely on the Magic Body Control. The air suspension of the S-Class becomes predictive, as it can recognize bumps in the road using a stereo camera and thus adapts quicker.
This pro-active attitude also applies to the safety department, where the 2014 Mercedes S-Class can use its 20 systems to see the environment around it and predict where other cars and pedestrians will travel. This means that the car can react ahead of the driver if anything goes wrong.
As for the engine range of the new Mercedes S-Class, this will be launched in Europe with four powetrains.
It all starts with the S350 BlueTEC, which uses a 3.0-liter V6 diesel producing 258 hp and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque. The 0-62 mph sprint takes in 6.8 seconds and the top speed sits at 250 km/h (155 mph).
Next we have the S500, which offers a 4.7-liter V8 petrol engine producing 455 HP (335 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The 62 mph mark is left behind in 4.8 seconds, while the top speed sits at 250 km/h (155 mph).
In addition, Mercedes offers two hybrids, a petrol and a diesel one.
The S300 BlueTEC Hybrid has a 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel producing 204 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. This plays the 0-62 mph game in 7.6 seconds and offers a top speed of 238 km/h (148 mph).
There’s also the S400 Hybrid, which includes a 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 306 HP and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque. The 0 to 62 mph sprint is completed in 6.8 seconds, while the top speed sits ar 250 km/h (155 mph).
These days, you can’t talk engines without also discussing efficiency. As you can imagine, the star here is the new S300 BlueTEC Hybrid, which promises to offer an European driving cycle value of 4.4 l/100 km (53 mpg).
The 2014 S350 Bluetec offers 5.7 l/100 km (41 mpg) , compared to the 2013 model’s 6.3 l/100 km (37 mpg). The S500, goes down from the previous generation’s 9.5 l/100 km (25 mpg) to 8.85 l/100 km (26.5 mpg). As for the S400 Hybrid, this moves form 8 l/100 km (29.5 mpg) to 6.55 l/100 km (36 mpg).
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will reach the US in September, arriving as an S550, while one month later it will also come as the S550 4Matic. Mercedes hasn’t made it clear which of the remaining Euro-spec powerplants will also make it to America.
You can get more info on the 2014 Mercedes S-Class than you’ll ever need in the press release below (PDF file).
And while we’re here, we’ll also invite you to check out some fresh spyshots of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.
While the both the standard and the long wheelbase versions have kept their wheelbase values, they’ve grown a bit in size. The standard S-Class (W222) is now 40 mm (1.6 inches) longer, measuring 5,116 mm (201.4 inches) in length. At the same time, its tracks have grown by 24 (0.95 inches) and 31 millimetres (1.2 inches) to 1,624 mm / 64 inches (front) and 1637 millimetres / 64.5 inches (rear), respectively.
As for the long wheelbase S-Class (V222), this keeps the width and height of the normal model, but measures 5,248 mm (206.5 inches) in length. This is 42 mm (1.7 inches) longer than its predecessor, but keeps the latter's wheelbase value.
Despite the slight increase in size, the Mercedes S-Class is now up to 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter, while the torsional rigidity of its body was increased by 50 percent. The changes were possible through the extended use of aluminum. This now accounts to about 50% of the structure, being accompanied by ultra high strength steel and high strength steel.
All the aforementioned items are shaped into a body that comes with a drag coefficient of 0.24. This comes extremely close to the Mercedes CLA's 0.22 cD, which makes this the most aerodynamic production car in the world.
As for the styling, we feel that the S-Class has been somehow diluted. Its design now tells us that this is the biggest Mercedes in the house, rather than stating something on itself.
Like we said, it doesn’t matter which part of the new S-Class you zoom in on, you’ll be flooded with technology. Let’s take the lighting for example: you’ll never be able to change a light bulb on the S-Class because... well, it doesn’t have any. Instead, it fights the darkness with no less than 500 LEDs, 300 of which are found inside the vehicle.
Speaking of the 2014 Mercedes S-Class’ interior, this is where it becomes clear that the new generation places a much stronger focus on the long wheelbase model. For starters, this is the only one that will be brought to the US.
You can choose between five seating layouts, with the most advanced one offering rear seats that recline to an angle of 43.5 degrees, ofeering calf support and an extra comfort cushion. You can also order a “First Class Rear”, which extends the center console all the way to the back, also offering thermo-cup holders.
While you’re inside, you can have your favorite tunes delivered via one of the three audio systems available. For the new model, Mercedes works with Burmester and the top feature is the latter’s High-End 3D-Surround Sound system.
Mercedes tells us that the new S-Class has six eyes, its cameras and six ears, its radar sensors. These are combined in order to offer “partially autonomous driving”. We’ve been explained that the “fun” part of the driving will never be automated, but the uncool one is already handled by the car.
The Distronic Plus active cruise control system is offered as an example: during traffic jams, this can handle the acceleration, braking and even throttle, make sure that your luxo barge follows the car in front.
When it comes to comfort, you’ll rely on the Magic Body Control. The air suspension of the S-Class becomes predictive, as it can recognize bumps in the road using a stereo camera and thus adapts quicker.
This pro-active attitude also applies to the safety department, where the 2014 Mercedes S-Class can use its 20 systems to see the environment around it and predict where other cars and pedestrians will travel. This means that the car can react ahead of the driver if anything goes wrong.
As for the engine range of the new Mercedes S-Class, this will be launched in Europe with four powetrains.
It all starts with the S350 BlueTEC, which uses a 3.0-liter V6 diesel producing 258 hp and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque. The 0-62 mph sprint takes in 6.8 seconds and the top speed sits at 250 km/h (155 mph).
Next we have the S500, which offers a 4.7-liter V8 petrol engine producing 455 HP (335 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The 62 mph mark is left behind in 4.8 seconds, while the top speed sits at 250 km/h (155 mph).
In addition, Mercedes offers two hybrids, a petrol and a diesel one.
The S300 BlueTEC Hybrid has a 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel producing 204 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. This plays the 0-62 mph game in 7.6 seconds and offers a top speed of 238 km/h (148 mph).
There’s also the S400 Hybrid, which includes a 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 306 HP and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque. The 0 to 62 mph sprint is completed in 6.8 seconds, while the top speed sits ar 250 km/h (155 mph).
These days, you can’t talk engines without also discussing efficiency. As you can imagine, the star here is the new S300 BlueTEC Hybrid, which promises to offer an European driving cycle value of 4.4 l/100 km (53 mpg).
The 2014 S350 Bluetec offers 5.7 l/100 km (41 mpg) , compared to the 2013 model’s 6.3 l/100 km (37 mpg). The S500, goes down from the previous generation’s 9.5 l/100 km (25 mpg) to 8.85 l/100 km (26.5 mpg). As for the S400 Hybrid, this moves form 8 l/100 km (29.5 mpg) to 6.55 l/100 km (36 mpg).
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will reach the US in September, arriving as an S550, while one month later it will also come as the S550 4Matic. Mercedes hasn’t made it clear which of the remaining Euro-spec powerplants will also make it to America.
You can get more info on the 2014 Mercedes S-Class than you’ll ever need in the press release below (PDF file).
And while we’re here, we’ll also invite you to check out some fresh spyshots of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.
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