Refined driving dynamics while retaining the S-Class's premium feel

To test drive Mercedes-Benz's top-tier coupe, which returns to the "S-Class Coupe" name after 18 years since the "CL Class," I landed at Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy.

The flowing coupe that appeared before me was a magnificent full-size model, measuring 5,027mm long, 1,899mm wide, and 1,411mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,945mm. Its long, elegant lines and sharp edges were beautiful. Two character lines running from the "SL" series-inspired sporty front mask along the body sides represent the common design language of modern Mercedes vehicles.

Among the local Italian contingent, the front view exuded the prestige of a Mercedes, but the rear view was a stark contrast, appearing as a stylish American luxury coupe if not for the three-pointed star.



The interior, which could be described as a cockpit, featured bucket seats shaped to hold the driver securely, focusing them on the driving experience with a sporty, aggressive impression. While the design follows the lineage of the "S-Class Sedan," it differs in its use of flowing surfaces, materials, and colors, creating a fusion of Italian taste and craftsmanship, resulting in exquisite construction and a sense of luxury. The seats for four adults offer a spacious and enveloping feel, thanks to their thick cushioning, truly embodying the S-Class domain.



I've experienced sharp acceleration, surprising agility, and fast cornering to varying degrees before, but I never imagined I would experience something like this in a car in my lifetime.

High-speed travel in a remarkably quiet and comfortable space

As it enters a corner, the car itself reads the curve and, according to the current speed and steering angle, controls the suspension to tilt the body "inward" rather than outward! It rolls, leaning into the direction of the turn like a motorcycle or a boat!

I was skeptical just hearing about its effectiveness, but the moment I actually drove it through a corner, I was overwhelmed by its immense power. However, the curve tilting function is an option only for the standard RWD model.

The 4MATIC, which also drives the front wheels, has a more complex suspension system due to the driveshaft, so only the AIRMATIC suspension is available. Once you experience the benefits of the curve tilting function, you'll wish it were available on all models.

From the so-called Pisa Airport, I boarded the "S 500 4MATIC Coupe" to drive to the Castello di Casol hotel, the base for the test drive event. We traveled 135 km south, primarily on the autostrada through Tuscany's rural landscapes, occasionally passing through quaint towns.



At cruising speeds of around 150 km/h, the exhaust flap is closed, and combined with the high body rigidity and the effect of the thick windows, all noise, including road and wind noise, is blocked, allowing for high-speed travel in a remarkably quiet and comfortable cabin. When accelerating hard, the exhaust flap opens fully, transforming the serene atmosphere into a roar reminiscent of an American V8. However, it's at a level that sounds distant.

The ride quality is also exceptional, smoothing out impacts from the road as if gliding over soft down. The body movements feel buoyant, yet you can confidently feel the tires gripping the road. The tires flex smoothly with the rubber's elasticity, and their synergy with the air suspension is superb. Unlike the S-Class in Japan, there's no harshness or sharp impact with the road surface. A quick check revealed they were standard tires, not run-flats.

The engineer explained, "In terms of future evolution, lightweight materials and resource efficiency point towards run-flat tires, but for prioritizing comfort, standard tires are still the choice for now." It's undeniable that BMW has a lead in mastering the use of run-flat tires.

Curve Tilting Function

Even so, the S-Class's inherent characteristics are carried over to the coupe.

The combination of a solid, substantial feel, like driving on a steel plate, the smooth ride quality produced by the air suspension and "standard tires," and the high level of quietness—an exquisite world—enhanced by sportiness, makes it an irresistible appeal for car enthusiasts.

The car's responsiveness to steering inputs is agile, and the brakes precisely interpret the subtle movements of your foot, from light pressure to firm application, decelerating rapidly from high speeds as if gripping and tightening. In city driving, it's easy to stop smoothly without disturbing passengers, like a chauffeur.

In the "S 63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe," this behemoth achieves 0-100 km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds. You can fully enjoy the exhilarating engine torque and power, accompanied by a ferocious V8 sound. Be mindful of over-acceleration, as even with the same accelerator input, it accelerates excessively.



The much-anticipated curve tilting function was tested in both the "S 500 Coupe" and the "S 63 AMG Coupe." The担当 engineer stated that the most effective stage for this function is navigating winding roads with continuous medium-to-high-speed corners at 90-120 km/h.

I deliberately entered a corner at an excessive speed. As I made a sharp steering input, the car's attitude began to change dramatically. The moment I felt lateral G-force, the suspension compressed on the inside of the corner and extended on the outside according to speed and steering angle, changing the force to "vertical G"! Instead of being pushed to the side of the seat by strong gravity, occupants are pressed into the seat from above, allowing them to navigate the corner with surprising ease. As successive corners appeared, the car turned sharply with a stable posture, as if the road itself had a banked angle (like a funnel) for our vehicle.

Because it turns stably, the driver feels compelled to press the accelerator harder and deeper, and I did. Even when accelerating, it didn't understeer and turned effortlessly. In other words, the harder you press the accelerator, the higher the cornering speed becomes—a synergistic effect. The control system operates from 15 to 180 km/h.

Jet Coaster Cornering

The maximum inward roll angle is 2.5 degrees. While it's physically impossible to increase the tire's grip limit, the body's inward roll allows the body weight, which previously acted primarily on the "outer wheel" in corners, to be distributed to the "inner wheel" as well. This results in higher cornering speeds by allowing all four wheels to firmly grip the road. What's astonishing is the complete lack of a sense of artificial control. This demonstrates the high level of technology capable of actively controlling the sophisticated body.



This is presented as a pursuit of the ultimate ride comfort and safety, but it conceals the true power of enhancing stability and dynamic performance. It's hard not to think so. The S-Class, both saloon and coupe, now incorporates artificial intelligence. Human inputs are processed, and if correct, reflected in the driving; if incorrect, corrections are made, all while maintaining enhanced stability and control.

When the S-Class Coupe arrives in Japan, I urge you to experience this futuristic control for yourself.

Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC Coupe
Body Dimensions: Length 5,027 x Width 1,899 x Height 1,411 mm
Wheelbase: 2,945 mm
Tread (Front/Rear): 1,625 / 1,649 mm
Minimum Turning Radius: 5.8 m
Vehicle Weight: 2,595 kg
Engine: 4,663 cc V8 Twin-Turbo
Bore x Stroke: 92.9 x 86.0 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.5
Max. Output: 335 kW (455 ps) / 5,200-5,500 rpm
Max. Torque: 700 Nm / 1,800-3,500 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed AT (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
Drivetrain: 4WD
Trunk Space (VDA): 400 liters
Tires: 245/50R18W
Suspension (Front/Rear): 4-link / Multi-link
Brakes: Ventilated discs
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 4.6 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h (limited)
Fuel Economy (NEDC): 9.9 - 9.4 L/100km (approx. 10.1 - 10.6 km/L)
CO2 Emissions: 232 - 219 g/km
Price: €125,961.5 (incl. 19% VAT)

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe
Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe
Body Dimensions: Length 5,044 x Width 1,913 x Height 1,422 mm
Wheelbase: 2,945 mm
Tread (Front/Rear): 1,644 / 1,645 mm
Minimum Turning Radius: 5.95 m
Vehicle Weight: 2,545 kg
Engine: 5,461 cc V8 Twin-Turbo
Bore x Stroke: 98.0 x 90.5 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.0
Max. Output: 430 kW (585 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max. Torque: 900 Nm / 2,250-3,750 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed AT (AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT)
Drivetrain: FR, 4WD
Trunk Space (VDA): 400 liters
Tires (Front/Rear): 255/55R19Y / 285/40R19Y
Suspension (Front/Rear): 4-link / Multi-link
Brakes: Ventilated discs
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 4.2 seconds (4MATIC: 3.9 seconds)
Top Speed: 250 km/h (limited)
Fuel Economy (NEDC): 10.1 L/100km (approx. 9.9 km/L) (4MATIC: 10.3 L/100km (approx. 9.7 km/L))
CO2 Emissions: 237 g/km (4MATIC: 242 g/km)
Price: €165,588.5 (4MATIC: €170,586.50) (incl. 19% VAT)