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May 21, 2021
A Car That Makes Driving in Hakone a True Joy – Test Drive of the New Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz S400d 4Matic
Test Drive of the New Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Since its debut in 1972, the S-Class has reigned as Mercedes-Benz's flagship model and the "meter stick" for full-size sedans. We test-drove the latest model, introduced to Japan in January 2021 as the seventh generation.
Text by OGAWA Fumio | Photographs by KAWANO Atsuki
The Biggest Feature: User Experience Driven by Digital Technology
This is the forefront of luxury sedans. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class was launched by Mercedes-Benz Japan on January 26, 2021. We immediately test-drove the "S400 d 4MATIC." It achieves a superb balance of power and fuel efficiency, and its cutting-edge digital technology makes for an incredibly comfortable and remarkable experience. Even those who claim to be interested only in SUVs might come to appreciate its unique sense of comfort after a test drive.
I believe there's no need to explain the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It's the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz products, with "S" derived from the German word "Super." The first generation appeared in 1972, and this new model is the seventh generation.
As mentioned at the outset, the most significant feature of the new S-Class lies in its user experience, driven by digital technology. The first thing that catches the eye inside the cabin is the newly designed dashboard, featuring a large 12.8-inch LCD monitor. Physical switches are almost invisible, contributing to a clean finish.
That's not all. The command system, which Mercedes-Benz calls "MBUX," has further evolved. The interactive voice control system, activated by saying "Hey, Mercedes," is already a known technology, but in the new model, it has "evolved" to the point where it can individually recognize and respond to commands from occupants in all four seats – front and rear, left and right.
For example, if you say, "Hey, Mercedes, turn on the seat heater," it will respond, "Yes, understood." If an occupant in the rear left seat says the same thing, the heater will activate only for that seat.
Simultaneously, a car-mounted camera monitors the driver's seat, allowing the navigation system to activate and guide you to your registered home address simply by quickly pointing your finger towards the center console. This gesture control is also being adopted for the first time in an S-Class. This is another user experience technology that Mercedes-Benz is heavily promoting.
When you have guests, perhaps returning from golf, they won't need to manually input destinations or use voice commands. Simply moving your finger activates the car's system. This is also part of the new generation of user experience.
The "AR Navigation," which garnered attention when introduced in the E-Class after its major minor change in autumn 2020, is also making its debut in the S-Class. It can be operated in conjunction with the gesture control mentioned above.
AR stands for "Augmented Reality." This concept is applied to the navigation system's monitor screen. For example, during route guidance, when approaching an intersection, the monitor switches to a camera view, and an arrow appears, indicating the direction to go.
As a technology to delight users with digital innovation, it also features a function that detects the approach of a person with the key and makes the retractable door handle pop out. The lights also illuminate. This is likely an important technology for welcoming the user. You'll surely impress your passengers when you go to the parking lot.
Driving Performance Also Deserves Special Mention
"The flagship model that redefines the latest luxury in every aspect." This is how Mercedes-Benz Japan describes the S-Class. Indeed, it's not just the user experience that is impressive. The driving performance, a fundamental aspect of any car, also deserves special mention.
The S400 d 4MATIC's engine is a 2,924cc inline-6 diesel turbo. It produces a maximum output of 243kW (330ps) and a maximum torque of 700Nm, driving the front and rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. It is, in fact, quite powerful. The feeling of effortless power delivery from a standstill to high speeds is breathtaking.
The improvement in diesel engine performance is also noteworthy. With its smooth rotational feel and suppressed vibrations and knocking sounds characteristic of diesel engines, it feels much like a well-engineered gasoline engine.
With maximum torque available from 1200rpm to 3200rpm, you can experience the exhilarating feeling of ever-increasing power as you gradually apply pressure to the accelerator pedal in the practical speed range.
As you turn the slightly thicker steering wheel, the car body rolls gently, enhancing control and providing a sense of security. Even in this new model, the exquisite steering feel that has captivated car enthusiasts for years remains intact, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz.
The suspension feels solid. At high speeds, it remains flat, and the occupants' bodies are not jostled up and down. On winding roads, as mentioned above, the precise and pleasant steering provides high directional stability. It corners through even the tightest bends with the agility of a compact sedan.
The new S-Class is equipped with a rear-axle steering system. In tight corners and parking lots, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the steering wheel by up to 5 degrees. This effectively shortens the virtual wheelbase, allowing for surprisingly nimble maneuvering in confined spaces and sharp turns. Conversely, during high-speed lane changes, the rear wheels turn in the same phase as the front wheels, lengthening the virtual wheelbase and enhancing stability.
With its strong torque from the initial acceleration, brakes that precisely decelerate and stop according to the driver's intentions, and the all-wheel steering system described above, driving on Hakone's winding roads was truly enjoyable. It handles even sharp V-shaped curves with ease. The sense of unity with the car during these moments is exceptionally pleasant.
Mercedes-Benz has always positioned the S-Class as a "driver's car," meaning a car to be driven by the owner. Even at a length of 5,210mm, the S400 d 4MATIC (12.93 million yen) is a car for those who enjoy driving. This is a very striking aspect.
