Mercedes-Benz S550 First Drive (2014)
New Cars Reviews - The free market speaks loudly,
and within the whole world of luxury sedans, none are a lot of desirable
compared to the mercedes-benz s-class. Out to take a look at its latest
expression of final luxury, mercedes sent us out to toronto, a town that such as
the 2014 s550, is quietly spectacular. Toronto is additionally terribly
international, and with over 500, 000 models sold--mostly within the u. S.,
europe, and china--the s-class is a worldwide savant. Its additionally returned
with many features that build this one of the complicated, advanced, and
possibly bizarre model however.
For one, the s500 we simply
drove--a model that will just be sold just like the s550 within the u. S.
-doesnt would like you out to really drive ; it might manage the task on its
own. For many weve heard about autonomous driving sooner or later arriving, its
already here. The 2014 mercedes-benz s-class is good at driving because you
twiddle your thumbs. Using sensors generously placed all around the body as to
the vehicle, the massive cruiser will detect and keep at intervals its lane,
will keep a safe distance, and each brake and accelerate based mostly on
traffic. The catch ? It'll just do this for 10 seconds with a time, and this
gets grumpy and yells on you if you really take a look at the 10 second rule :
the steering wheel vibrates, a red icon seems from the gauges instructing you
out to resume management, it'll even beep--all manners of annoying
behavior--because whereas the technology is already here, the laws allowing it
out to are definitely not. That the car will guide you straight, however it legally
cant drive for everyone. However.
There may be additionally every
one of the niceties and absurdities youd expect due to nicest and the vast
majority absurd sedan, priced significantly south as to the bentley and rolls
royce sedans of the planet. Expect beginning costs of $100, 000 whenever the
s-class goes on sale in september, with out there choices and packages quickly
escalating that figure ought to the consumer desire. Each model will just be
powered by a capable 455 hp twin-turbocharged v-8 engine ; a lot of engine
choices can surely seem later. There may be features like magic body management
( not an illicit drug, despite the name ), that uses sensors out to detect pot
holes or speed bumps or road imperfections, and adjusts the suspension out to account
for anyone imperfections. What does that mean ? A very, extremely sleek ride.
However despite these useful advances, its a number of the less rational
choices that we discover most intriguing. There may be four air fragrances out
to perfume the cabin, but a massaging purpose within the seats dictated by hot
stone principle. Theres most stuff actually that its quite simple to forget the
s-class is an actual car you drive around. After we did, we found more out to
like.
Walkaround
Walking up out to the 2014
mercedes-benz s550, you initial notice its proportions. Its big. An immediate
sense of its width and length are conveyed. The s-class is commanding, however
it doesnt scream. It's solid and substantial. As head of design, exterior,
robert lesnik recognized out to me throughout a walk-around, an increased,
distinguished 3-d grille immediately communicates that the s-class is
recognizable just like a mercedes. The s550 is additionally one of the
aerodynamic sedan within the category, however thats one thing you wouldnt
notice. The beltline is moved up slightly in front and lowered in back, out to
provides it a distinguished stance.
And as lesnik mentions, the
perception of quality is there, because you extremely really need to get up
shut out to appreciate the details. A mercedes-benz badge is embedded within
the taillights, one thing you wouldnt notice in passing or from afar. And
useful details like fins inside the within the aspect mirrors are hidden,
however facilitate with aerodynamics and with detracting rain, as do raised
bars on every aspect as to the windshield, that capture rain and direct it
away, pushing it within the car in comparison to into the aspect windows.
Sitting Down
The 2014 mercedes-benz s550 is
supposed as being an government cruiser, other then how you're going to
perceive the interior depends greatly on your private perspective. Drivers can
appreciate the visual breadth as to the cabin. We invariably poke around once
seated within out to see where automakers employ tricks out to cut prices,
other then here youre greeted by rich, plush materials. As dr. Dieter zetsche,
head of mercedes-benz cars aforementioned, everything that appears like metal,
is metal. Each the driver and passengers have massaging seats, with six
functions, 2 of that embrace heat dictated by hot stone principle. We tested
them out, while absolutely not replacement for a reliable shiatsu, its higher
than something weve seen within the car.
The seats might well be simply
adjusted out to an ideal position, whereas bolstering and pre-tension seatbelts
( that tighten in anticipation associated with an accident ) wrap you in
regarding the ride. A fast scan along the cabin and of course the full complement
of wood and stitching one would expect is present, other then the cabin still
appearance clean, uncluttered and airy. A dual panoramic roof that will be all
the rage today no more than helps the cause. Controls and dials return with a
premium, that works to present you the sense the s-class may be a lot simpler
than it's, utilizing a number of features and technology hidden. A burmester
24-speaker sound system ensures everybody can have crisp, premium audio
rear-seat passengers get a first-class flight-cabin feel with seats that
recline 43. 5 degrees, media screens on the rear as to the front seat head
rests, and mercedes even outfitted the rear with fold-out trays for each
passengers. The trays are perfect obtain a laptop or ipad, and every s-class
will serve being a dedicated wifi hotspot. Since owners ( particularly in
countries like china ) wont be driving, its necessary that the rear is not less
than as nice like the front. Our favorite half ? The nap-inspiring, impossibly
comfy pillow-top headrests for individuals within the whole rear.
As a result of the features weve
already detailed were apparently not enough, mercedes added seven selectable
ambient lightweight settings, and 1 of your personal favorites, air fragrance
perfumes. Presently there will be four scents : nightlife mood ; sports mood ;
downtown mood ; and no matter freeside mood is. The sports mood fragrance
enjoyed a vaguely floral aroma. We might take or leave the air fragrance, other
then our no more than grievance along with the interior is along with the
drivers sun visor. It folds, other then it doesnt slide, a feature that most
likely prices south of the dollar, other then its oversight means that you
could have sun glaring down one aspect of those face at bound times as to the
day. Nitpicking ? Not within the $100, 000 car it isnt.
Driving
Driving the new s-class is a
trifle like driving a future that's already arrived. Consider the active
driving aids, as an example. 3 times i aimed for the middle divider and took my
hands off as to the wheel--dont strive this at home, of course--and 2 of these
times the s550 hastily pulled me around the time of out to my lane. Once i did
it myself, the car would possibly are willing to get over other then i'd been
terribly shut and going pretty fast, therefore i didnt probability it. We
conjointly got a style of magic body management, that seems as being aptly
named, because it did magically management the body as to the vehicle. The
internal system uses sensors out to detect stuff like pot holes and speed
bumps, and adjusted the suspension out to minimize the effects felt within the
whole cabin. And it also very works. Multiple times i saw cars in front spring
up and down going over dips and of course the like, whereas we barely cruised
miraculously straight on, as if we were on a designated road. Terribly curious
and strange, and out to see it in action lets you recognize youre within the
hyper-advanced vehicle.