Friday 26 July 2013

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.