Electronic Eyes Support Safety and Comfortable Driving

Mercedes-Benz's corporate philosophy. It is all encapsulated in the well-known keyword "The best or nothing." This does not mean that if the best technology is not available, they won't do it. It is correct to understand it as: if the best technology cannot be developed or adopted, it is the same as doing nothing.

The Mercedes-Benz flagship model, the "S Class," which began sales in Japan this year, has undergone a full model change for the first time in eight years. Let's examine the evolution it has achieved and the cutting-edge technologies it has adopted. We will look at the advancements of the past eight years, which Mercedes proudly incorporates, through the equipment featured in the S Class.

Intelligent Drive──Electronic Eyes Support Safety and Comfortable Driving

By integrating information from millimetre-wave radar and stereo multi-purpose cameras, the computer instantly makes optimal judgments. This is a high-tech feat comparable to how humans process information from their eyes and ears with their brains, then direct their limbs to move. Combining devices that support the driver from various angles, such as the state-of-the-art "Magic Body Control" suspension system and the advanced "Distronic Plus" driver assistance system, it fuses safety, comfort, and driving pleasure at a world-class level. Mercedes-Benz collectively refers to these driver assistance systems as "Intelligent Drive."

In October of this year, a test vehicle equipped with "Intelligent Drive" successfully completed a test of fully autonomous driving over a distance of 103 km from Mannheim to Pforzheim in Germany. This route is also the one where Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz himself—the inventor of the automobile and a historical figure in automotive development—achieved the world's first long-distance drive in 1886.

The key point is that much of the technology installed in this experimental vehicle is already in use in the S Class. In other words, the technology that enabled the successful fully autonomous drive is a tuned-down version of the S Class's "Intelligent Drive" for automated driving. Thus, "Intelligent Drive" is composed of cutting-edge technologies that also enable full automation.

The World's First Suspension System: "Magic Body Control"

Using a stereo multi-purpose camera located at the top of the windshield, it scans road surface irregularities up to 15 meters ahead. Based on the detected road conditions, it instantaneously controls the electronically controlled active suspension. "Magic Body Control" minimizes the impact transmitted to the body, maintaining a flat ride.

When encountering road undulations like bumps or joints, one would normally brace for impact. However, there is no need to do so here. You will only feel a slight sensation of passing over something (not an impact), providing a consistently smooth ride with softened edges. Magic Body Control is available as an option on the "S 550 Long" and standard on the "S 63 AMG Long" and "S 65 AMG."

Advanced Driver Assistance System: "Distronic Plus"

The stereo multi-purpose camera, positioned at a 45-degree angle inside the front windshield, measures the road surface in three dimensions up to approximately 50 meters ahead. By analyzing the measured data as a 3D image using advanced algorithms, it detects preceding vehicles, oncoming traffic, crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects.

It classifies the type of object based on its distance and movement relative to the vehicle, instantly determining what kind of warning to issue to the driver, whether to apply brakes and adjust speed, follow, or evade. The driver assistance systems included in the "Distronic Plus" package are as follows:

Distronic Plus (with Steering Assist)

Using long- and short-range radar sensors, it recognizes preceding vehicles and maintains a set distance according to speed. If deceleration is required, it reduces throttle and applies brakes incrementally to slow down. If the preceding vehicle stops, it will automatically stop as well.

The latest "Distronic Plus" in the S Class monitors the curvature of the lane and preceding vehicles to determine the course, whether on curves or straightaways. The addition of a steering assist function makes following the preceding vehicle even easier.



BAS Plus (with Cross-Traffic Assist)

Short- and long-range radar sensors, along with a stereo multi-purpose camera, detect not only preceding vehicles but also crossing traffic, merging vehicles, pedestrians, and objects on the road, identifying potential collision risks. In case of an imminent collision, it issues a warning via display and sound.

When the driver applies the brakes, BAS Plus increases brake pressure, assisting in providing sufficient braking force to avoid a collision. Even if the driver's own braking is insufficient to achieve maximum braking power, the S Class will deliver it.







PRE-SAFE Brake (with Pedestrian Detection)

If the driver does not respond to the warning from BAS Plus (with Cross-Traffic Assist), it applies light braking to alert the driver and assist in collision avoidance. Simultaneously, the PRE-SAFE function (activating electric seatbelt tensioners, automatically adjusting the front passenger seat angle, and closing the sliding roof) operates to ensure the optimal occupant position in the event of a collision.

If the driver still does not respond, autonomous emergency braking is activated with maximum braking force. The latest "PRE-SAFE Brake" in the S Class now includes pedestrian detection in addition to preceding vehicle detection, further enhancing safety.



Rear CPA (Collision Prevention Assist with Rear Impact Warning)

While the vehicle is stationary, multi-mode millimetre-wave radar sensors installed in the rear bumper monitor the position and distance of vehicles behind. If a collision risk is detected based on the following vehicle's distance and approach speed, the rear combination lamps flash rapidly to warn the driver of the following vehicle about the potential collision.

If the following vehicle still does not decelerate sufficiently, the vehicle's brakes are automatically applied to prevent movement, mitigating secondary damage such as chain-reaction collisions. This function works to minimize damage in accidents where a rear-end collision by a following vehicle causes a subsequent collision with the vehicle ahead, such as during traffic jams.

Active Blind Spot Assist

Short-range radar sensors on both sides monitor the blind spot area behind the vehicle, which is not covered by the door mirrors. If a vehicle is present within the blind spot, an indicator integrated into the door mirror lights up red to warn the driver. If the driver activates the turn signal to change lanes while a warning is active, the indicator flashes along with an audible alert. Furthermore, if a side collision risk is detected, a corrective braking force is applied to one side of the wheels to attempt to correct the course. The key point here is that, unlike warnings in systems from other manufacturers, the S Class itself applies braking to correct the course, offering an advanced level of driving support beyond previous functions.

Active Lane Keeping Assist

The stereo multi-purpose camera detects lane markings. If it determines that the front wheels are crossing the lane, it warns the driver by intermittently vibrating the steering wheel. If the driver does not respond, the system uses automatic corrective braking to return the vehicle to its lane.

Other Driver Assistance Systems

Night View Assist Plus

During night driving, if "Night View Assist Plus," utilizing infrared technology, detects pedestrians or animals on the road ahead without illumination, the display in the center of the instrument panel automatically switches to night view, highlighting the detected object in red. This alerts the driver to potential obstacles ahead. Furthermore, for detected pedestrians, the headlights flash to alert both the driver and the pedestrian. "Night View Assist Plus" is available as an option on the S 550 Long and standard on AMG models.



Crosswind Assist

Based on information from ESP sensors, it detects the effects of crosswinds and, if necessary, applies braking to one side of the vehicle to support stable straight-line driving. This prevents the vehicle from swaying in strong crosswinds.

PRE-SAFE Impulse (Front Collision Mitigation)

In the moments leading up to a frontal collision, it retracts the seatbelts of the driver and front passenger to hold the occupants. This ensures the seatbelts are securely fastened, reducing the severity of occupant injuries. It activates early, before the deceleration forces on the occupants increase, thus reducing forward movement of the body.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus

The stereo multi-purpose camera monitors the situation ahead and automatically controls the range of the high beam to avoid dazzling oncoming or preceding vehicles. It constantly adjusts the headlights to ensure maximum visibility. Drivers are freed from the task of switching between high and low beams in urban and rural areas, and it also prevents unnecessary glare for oncoming traffic, offering significant safety benefits for everyone.

Active Parking Assist

An enhanced function utilizing the ultrasonic sensors of PARKTRONIC (a system that detects and warns of obstacles at parking speeds), it detects parking spaces suitable for the vehicle during parallel and perpendicular parking. Once parking begins, it automatically controls the steering and brakes, allowing the driver to park using only accelerator and gear shift operations—a so-called automatic parallel and perpendicular parking system. When exiting the parking space, steering and brake control are also assisted, enabling a smooth exit.

360° Camera System

By processing images from four wide-angle, high-resolution cameras located in the front grille, side mirrors, and rear end, it displays a bird's-eye view of the entire vehicle surroundings on the display. This simulates a view from directly above the vehicle, allowing monitoring of the area approximately 3 meters in front and behind the vehicle. It is available as an option on the S 400 HYBRID and standard on the S 400 HYBRID Exclusive, S 550 Long (right-hand drive models), and AMG models.