The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has become more intelligent in many areas, including the driving experience, which is taken to the next level. Modern luxury reaches a new level with the interior of the S-Class. The designers have created a feel-good ambience with lounge character marked by elegance, high quality and airiness. Digital innovations such as in MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) are joined by new developments that increase driving enjoyment while making driving even safer: among them are rear-axle steering with a large steering angle and safety innovations such as the rear airbag. As a new function of PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side, the active E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension can raise the vehicle body (on both sides) just before an impending side impact. Following further systematic developments, the driving assistance systems take another step towards autonomous driving. Thanks to improved environmental sensors, for example, the parking systems provide the driver increased support when maneuvering at low speed. The integration into MBUX further enhances this as the level of visualization enters a whole new dimension.
No other innovation in recent years has so radically changed the operation of a Mercedes-Benz as MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The second generation of this learn-capable system is now debuting in the new S-Class. The vehicle interior is even more digital and intelligent, as both the hardware and software have made great strides: brilliant displays on up to five large screens, in part with OLED technology, make the control of vehicle and comfort functions even easier to operate. The possibilities for personalization and intuitive operation have become far more extensive. A real three- dimensional effect is achieved without having to wear 3D glasses. The HUD now provides augmented reality (AR) content. When navigating, for example, animated turn-off arrows (“fishbones”) are virtually and precisely projected onto the road lane. For the assistance functions, information from Active Distance Assist, for example, is shown. The image appears virtually at a distance of 32 feet. This long distance allows for a very large image: the display area corresponds to a monitor with a 77-inch diagonal.
OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. Compared to LCD screens, the advantages of this technology are improved richness in colors, even stronger contrasts and a lower energy consumption. On request the driver display is also available with a unique innovation: at the touch of a button, it is possible to switch to a 3D mode for a spatial view. A real three-dimensional effect is achieved with the help of eye-tracking, without having to wear 3D glasses. This optional version of the driver display has two integrated cameras. This stereo camera is able to precisely determine the eye position of the user. Mercedes-Benz has developed appropriate distance adaptation methods for this, and the system has extremely low latency, i.e. there is almost no delay. The driver can therefore move freely, as the image in the driver display is continuously adjusted. Cameras and face recognition are also used for a wide range of assistance and comfort functions. These include the new biometric authentication, drowsiness detection by ATTENTION ASSIST, settings for the exterior mirrors and monitoring of the head and eyelids.
Intelligent, forced induction that includes an electric booster compressor, as well as the integrated starter alternator (ISG) provide outstanding power delivery without turbo lag. In addition, the engine starts quickly and comfortably, making the start/stop function almost imperceptible to the driver. Systematic electrification dispenses with the need for a belt drive for ancillary components at the front of the engine, which reduces its overall length. The slim design as an in-line engine, together with the physical separation of intake/exhaust, creates space for a near-engine emission control system. The 48 V on-board electrical system serves not only high power consumers, such as the water pump and air-conditioning compressor, but also the integrated starter-generator (ISG), which also supplies energy to the battery by means of highly efficient energy recuperation.
When the new S-Class is launched, a six-cylinder in-line engine will be available, alongside a V8 engine with integrated starter generator (ISG) and a 48-volt onboard electrical system. With the introduction of the integrated starter-generator (ISG) in the S-Class powered by the M 256 six-cylinder in-line engine in 2017, the 48 volt onboard electrical system celebrated its world premiere. The ISG is responsible for hybrid functions such as EQ boost and energy recovery, while allowing fuel savings that were previously reserved for high- voltage hybrid technology. The systematically electrified six-cylinder in-line engine in the new Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC has an output of 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The electrified V8 biturbo engine in the new Mercedes-Benz S580 has an output of 469 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both variants are equipped with EQ Boost which provides a further 184 lb-ft of torque as well as up to an additional 21 hp for short periods.
