Mercedes celebrates its 140th anniversary and the invention of the modern automobile with the presentation of its new flagship Mercedes Benz S-Class.
Yet it is not simply a car. It is a technological synthesis of the very best the industry currently offers, combined with solutions that look decisively toward the future
Gabriele Dell’Orto
It was 1886 when Karl Benz filed the patent for the “Patent-Motorwagen”, the first automobile in history equipped with an internal combustion engine, leather seats and rubber tires. A few years later the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler developed more compact power units, paving the way for the automobile as a widely used means of transport. Both were owners of their respective companies, which merged in 1926, laying the foundations of today’s Mercedes-Benz Group that has accompanied the technical evolution of the automobile ever since. That same year also saw the introduction of the iconic three-pointed star logo, destined to become a symbol in automotive history.
This year therefore marks the 140th anniversary of Karl Benz’s patent and the first one hundred years of the Mercedes brand, two milestones the company has chosen to celebrate with the launch of the new generation of its flagship sedans, the “S-Class”, where “S” stands for “Sonderklasse”, the German word for “Special”. In fact, Mercedes’ top-of-the-range models are far more than just cars, belonging to the “F” segment which, alongside brands such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Maybach and Jaguar, offers ultra-luxury vehicles designed for the most exclusive clientele but also acts as a testing ground for technologies that gradually spread to less prestigious models over the years.
The S-Class, for example, introduced several innovations over time: in 1972 it debuted ABS, double-glazed windows, the in-car telephone, electronically controlled suspension and chassis systems, night vision, adaptive cruise control, a digital instrument cluster and driver fatigue detection.
The new evolution of the flagship confirms this tradition, thoroughly updating the current model with solutions affecting electronics, comfort, safety and propulsion systems. More than 50 percent of the components have been redesigned while maintaining the classic Mercedes styling approach, updated for the occasion with a backlit grille enlarged by twenty percent. The famous star is also illuminated and echoed in the light signature of the headlamps equipped with Digital Light technology and micro-LEDs that adapt the beam to road conditions.
The dimensions are significant: the short-wheelbase version measures 5,194 millimetres in length, while the long-wheelbase version adds another 110 millimetres. The rear wheels are steerable both during manoeuvres and at high speeds up to four and a half degrees, which can become ten degrees as an option. The body makes extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminium, a solution that maintains high structural rigidity while ensuring good ride comfort.
The interior obviously does not compromise on luxury, combining high-quality materials, craftsmanship and attention to detail with solutions focused on occupant wellbeing. The seats feature advanced massage functions, the seat belts are heated up to 44 degrees and climate control is managed not only by an electronic system but also by air vents adjustable through small electric motors.
The air is filtered to neutralize PM 2.5 particles and is also ionized, while the audio system is “active”, delivering an immersive experience thanks to actuators in the seat backs that follow the music and reproduce small vibrations perceptible to occupants.
In terms of digitalization, the new S-Class continues a path already started with previous generations, transforming the cabin into an increasingly connected and interactive environment. The dashboard represents the technological heart of the vehicle, with a central element consisting of a continuous glass surface integrating a central display, a passenger display and the instrument cluster.
To reduce distractions, all commands can be given by voice using the “Hey Mercedes” assistant, capable of learning user habits and anticipating the most frequent requests. In essence, the car presents itself as a true digital platform in constant evolution, capable of integrating new functions over time without mechanical intervention. This approach also involves rear passengers, who in addition to dedicated monitors have access to high-definition cameras that allow participation in virtual meetings.
Sees, predicts and intervenes
Driving dynamics, together with the relentless pursuit of maximum comfort, have always been defining characteristics of Mercedes’ flagship. Particularly noteworthy are the adaptive “Airmatic” air suspensions capable of continuously adjusting ride height and damping according to speed, road conditions and driving style.
Alongside them is the “E-Active Body Control” system, certainly one of the most advanced solutions currently available on a production sedan. It uses accelerometers and a front camera to analyse the road surface in real time, preparing the suspension before the vehicle encounters potholes or irregularities. Active control of the dampers compensates for body roll and pitch while reducing vibrations transmitted to the cabin, improving comfort on any type of road surface.
Active safety and assisted driving are handled by a package including lane-keeping assistance, automatic distance regulation from the vehicle ahead, speed-limit recognition and automatic emergency braking with detection of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. In certain traffic conditions the system also allows semi-autonomous driving and is already prepared for Level 4 autonomous driving without a driver.
From 381 to 537 horsepower
The eighth generation of the S-Class enters the market with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. At the base of the range are the three-litre inline six-cylinder Otto-cycle engines from the “M256” series with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and integrated starter-generator.
The system supports the combustion engine during acceleration phases and enables energy recovery during braking. Output is 381 horsepower with 560 newton metres of torque, figures that rise to 449 horsepower and 640 newton metres in the mid-range version.
The same engine is also offered in a plug-in hybrid variant that operates with an electric unit integrated into the transmission. In this case total output exceeds 500 horsepower with around 750 newton metres of torque and, thanks to a specific battery pack, the car can travel up to one hundred kilometres in full electric mode.
At the top of the range is the “S 580 4Matic”, equipped with a four-litre twin-turbo V8, also electrified through a mild-hybrid system. The engine delivers 537 horsepower and 750 newton metres of torque managed, as with all the other models, by the automatic “9G-Tronic” transmission, a nine-speed gearbox with torque converter designed to keep engine speeds as low as possible while providing progressive and almost imperceptible gear shifts.
In the case of plug-in hybrid versions, the electric motor is integrated directly into the transmission, enabling electric-only starts and a smooth transition between electric and combustion propulsion.
The S-Class represents the union of high performance and on-board comfort, maintaining extremely smooth driving even at high speeds. Cabin soundproofing and suspension quality contribute to creating a travel experience that has always been the defining trait of the Mercedes flagship.
Title: Mercedes Benz S-Class: technology towards the future
Translation with ChatGPT
