 The Stuttgart-based brand
From the
1st quarter of 2006 Mercedes-Benz will be extending the range of engines
for the S-Class with the new V6 CDI engine, which has a particulate filter
as standard
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The new Mercedes-Benz S-ClassStuttgart - Mercedes-Benz has developed and improved well-proven safety systems such as Brake Assist, PRE-SAFE® and DISTRONIC even further for the new S-Class.
On request, Mercedes-Benz will combine Brake Assist PLUS with the equally unique PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system, which offers even more safety functions on board the new S-Class. PRE-SAFE® recognises potential accident situations as they arise: if braking deceleration exceeds a certain level or a skid is imminent, the system tensions the front seat belts as a precaution and inflates air cushions in the multicontour seats to envelop and support the driver, front passenger and rear seat occupants. For the first time Mercedes-Benz has also integrated the side windows into this preventive protection concept; they are automatically closed when an accident threatens. This combination of the new Brake Assist PLUS system and PRE-SAFE® is a further enhancement to occupant protection. Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first and only automotive brand with a comprehensive safety system of this kind, which already goes into action before an impending accident. Test results: accident rate reduced by three quarters with Brake Assist PLUS Mercedes-Benz has thoroughly tested the effectiveness of the preventive Brake Assist PLUS system. More than 200 male and female drivers took part in practical trials in Europe and the USA, covering a total of more than 450,000 kilometres in 24 test cars. Recording these journeys by means of data storage equipment and video cameras made a precise analysis of the BAS functions possible. This innovative system significantly improves driving safety. In addition Mercedes-Benz conducted a test programme over a period of several months in the driving simulator operated by the DaimlerChrysler Research department in Berlin. A total of 100 drivers each completed a 40-minute journey with several critical situations on motorways and other extra-urban roads. It was only possible to avoid accidents by hard braking. Thanks to the new Brake Assist PLUS system, the accident rate during this test series fell by three quarters - from 44 to eleven percent. The new technology demonstrated its advantages particularly well when driving in a line of traffic at 80 km/h on a country road: when the vehicle ahead was suddenly braked, the radar-based Brake Assist system prevented an accident in 93 percent of cases - while more than one in two test drives ended in a rear-end collision without the system. DISTRONIC PLUS: new support system for stop-and-go traffic Brake Assist PLUS is available in combination with the likewise improved DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control system. This radar-supported system now operates at all speeds between zero and 200 km/h, and ensures even greater driver convenience. In stop-and-go traffic DISTRONIC PLUS keeps the new S-Class at the right distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically brakes the Saloon to a standstill if necessary and accelerates it back to the required speed when the traffic starts moving again. In this way the support system reduces the driver’s workload and provides considerable benefits in driver-fitness safety. By combining the previous DISTRONIC radar (77 GHz) with the newly developed close-range radar (24 GHz), which is also used for Brake Assist PLUS, Mercedes engineers have been able to extend the working range of the proximity control system even further, from 0.2 to 150 metres. While the 77 Gigahertz radar monitors the road ahead over a long distance, the signals from the 24 Gigahertz sensors have a range of around 30 metres and monitor the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. The electronic control unit analyses the information received from both radar systems and calculates the engine, automatic transmission and braking parameters required for controlling the distance to the vehicle in front. The equipment package with Brake Assist PLUS and DISTRONIC PLUS also includes a new Parking Assist feature. This system uses the four close-range sensors at the front and two radar sensors in the rear bumper, which have a range of about eleven metres. These provide the driver with an early warning of an impending collision when reversing. Night view assist: more safety at night with infrared headlamps With the innovative night view assist system which is premiered in the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has made a further, major contribution to reducing the risk of accidents during the hours of darkness. This system is based on infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye and will therefore not dazzle oncoming traffic. Two infrared headlamps illuminate the road, significantly extending the driver’s range of vision when on low beam. An infrared camera mounted on the inside of the windscreen records the reflected image of the road ahead and displays this in the instrument cluster. Night view assist has the same range as high-beam headlamps, but without dazzling oncoming drivers. The system therefore makes pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars and other obstacles visible very much sooner. During tests, drivers were already able to discern test dummies at the roadside dressed in lightcoloured clothing at a range of around 210 metres, which is about 41 metres sooner than with low-beam bi-xenon headlamps. The system provides even more safety in the case of pedestrians in dark clothing. In these situations the drivers saw the test dummies at a range of around 164 metres with night view assist, but only at about 72 metres when driving with low-beam bi-xenon headlamps alone. This represents a safety improvement of no less than 125 percent. Seats: improved multicontour technology and innovative back massage function Mercedes customers in the new S-Class are able to adapt the seats to their personal comfort requirements, as electrically adjustable 12-way front seats with lumbar supports are standard equipment. High-comfort heated seats with active ventilation, multicontour seats (front and rear) and dynamic multicontour seats (front) are also available as optional equipment. Mercedes-Benz has improved this multicontour technology even further. The front seats are now equipped with eleven air cushions which enable the seat contours to be individually adjusted. New piezo valves on the air cushions operate much more rapidly than the previous technology, noticeably improving the dynamic response function of the multicontour seat. Depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and road speed, the piezo valves vary the inflation pressure and volume of the air cushions in the sides of the backrests within fractions of a second, providing the driver and front passenger with even better lateral support. The dynamic multicontour seat is also equipped with separate air chambers in the backrest which are successively inflated and deflated in a programmed sequence. Passengers in the new S-Class can therefore enjoy a gentle back massage which stimulates the back muscles, assists the blood circulation and therefore helps to prevent premature fatigue. The massage programme lasts for five minutes and can be restarted at any time once the cycle has finished. The intensity and speed of the massage function can be adjusted in four stages using the COMAND system. Multicontour seats with the massage function are also available for the rear of the new Mercedes-Benz luxury saloon on request. The driver’s seat and rear seat with the multicontour function have received a seal of approval from a German association for the promotion of spinal health. Dimensions: larger body for outstanding interior comfort
Luxurious fine wood and chrome trim, attractively contoured controls of aluminium and carefully coordinated colours characterise the atmosphere in the interior, producing an immediate feeling of wellbeing. The dashboard with its sophisticated, sweeping lines is yet another masterpiece by Mercedes designers, for whom form and function are ideals which share equal status. Accordingly the cockpit not only conveys a feeling of safety, but is also extraordinarily well laidout and practical - from the very first moment, man and vehicle enter into a harmonious relationship in the new S-Class. Control concept: COMAND system with direct shift buttons and the controller That is also assured by the newly developed and thoroughly tested control concept. This is based on findings from extensive ergonomic and perceptive psychology studies, and also takes into account the results of acceptance tests with Mercedes customers around the world. The major characteristic of the intelligent operating concept in the new S-Class is rapid access to functions which are used particularly frequently. The system is therefore specifically designed for redundancy: depending on his preferred habits, the driver is able to control functions such as the radio, TV tuner, CD/DVD changer, telephone and navigation system either using conventional switches, via buttons on the multifunction steering wheel or with the help of the improved COMAND system. The direct control switches in the centre console are so ergonomically positioned that the driver is able to operate them conveniently and without looking down. It is also possible to operate the standard automatic climate control system in two different ways: via COMAND or using an attractively styled array of switches beneath the air outlets. The steering wheel and instrument cluster are the primary areas in the new operating concept. These integrate all the important information and functions required by the driver. The centrepiece is a colour screen with the latest display technology for a bright, crystal-clear image. The lower edge of the cockpit display has a plain-text array with which up to seven main menus for individual settings, display modes and operating functions can be controlled, depending on the level of equipment. For rapid selection of these functions Mercedes-Benz has developed the controls on the standard multifunction steering wheel further, using circular, illuminated five-way buttons which the driver operates by light thumb pressure. The innovative "Cockpit Management and Data System" - COMAND for short - has likewise been redesigned and now offers even more features. In addition to the familiar telematic and audio units, various vehicle functions which previously required individual switches have now been integrated into the system. The central operating unit is the new COMAND controller on the transmission tunnel. It is used to select the main and sub-menus with which the required functions are activated. If a car phone is fitted ex factory, the padded handrest behind the controller can be flipped up to reveal the telephone keypad. The large COMAND colour display is positioned at the same height as the instrument cluster, and therefore even more favourably within the field of vision of the driver and front passenger. A new operating concept, up-to-date colours and clear, photo-quality graphics also make the menu selection procedure a gratifying visual experience. Suspension: newly configured AIRMATIC air suspension as standard The suspension with its standard, improved AIRMATIC air suspension system also makes a major contribution to the excellent ride comfort in the new S-Class. At the touch of a button the driver is able to choose between a comfort-oriented or more sporty configuration. Beyond 120 km/h and in Sport mode, the suspension is automatically lowered by up to 20 millimetres to improve the handling dynamics, aerodynamics and fuel consumption even further. The Active Body Control suspension system (optional, standard equipment in the S 600) is another milestone in suspension engineering which has been improved even further for the new S-Class. The newly developed ADAPTIVE BRAKE system has additional functions which for instance assist the driver when moving off on gradients and shorten braking distances in the wet. The parking brake is electrically assisted for the first time - the brake is applied merely by pressing a button, and is released automatically when the car moves off. Performance: over 26 percent more output from the new V8 engine Three of the four engines available for the new S-Class are new developments by Mercedes-Benz. They generate up to 26 percent more output and up to 15 percent more torque. In addition to the 3.5-litre V6 engine with 200 kW/272 hp, a new eight-cylinder unit developing 285 kW/388 hp and a muscular 530 Newton metres of torque from a mere 2800 rpm will already be available at the time of the market launch in autumn 2005. It accelerates the S 500 from standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. From the 1st quarter of 2006 Mercedes-Benz will be extending the range of engines for the S-Class with the new V6 CDI engine, which has a particulate filter as standard. This direct-injection unit has an output of 170 kW/231 hp and generates a maximum torque of 540 Newton metres from 1600 rpm. This means that the new S 320 CDI betters the preceding model by 13 percent in output and eight percent in torque. The output of the twelve-cylinder engine in the top-of-therange S 600 (available from the first quarter of 2006) has increased to 380 kW/517 hp, while torque has increased by just under four percent to a remarkable 830 Newton metres from 1900 rpm. As standard equipment, the V6 and V8 engines in the new S-Class are combined with the unique 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.
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These high-tech innovations make a major contribution
to accident prevention, better occupant protection and driver support. In
addition, an innovative night view assist system is celebrating its premiere
in the new S-Class; it considerably improves the range of visibility in the
dark and therefore reduces the risk of accidents. These systems make the
new S-Class the model and pacemaker for car development in general. With
trailblazing developments in the field of seat technology, the top-of-the-range
Mercedes-Benz model also sets standards for even greater long-distance comfort.
One of the most important new developments in the field of vehicle safety
is the preventive Brake Assist PLUS system. This system registers vehicles
ahead by radar and gives a warning if the gap is too small or the closing
speed is too high. If a collision threatens, Brake Assist PLUS (BAS PLUS)
calculates the ideal braking assistance in fractions of a second and makes
this available immediately - even if the driver applies too little pressure
to the brake pedal. This significantly reduces the incidence of rear-end
collisions. The adaptive brake light, which warns following traffic by flashing
during emergency braking, also makes a major contribution.
The new flagship model by Mercedes-Benz is larger
than its predecessor in every respect. There is a choice of two body lengths
- 5076 or 5206 millimetres - which is 33 and 43 millimetres more, respectively,
than the previous S-Class. The wheelbase has increased by 70/80 millimetres
to 3035/3165 millimetres. The body is also 16 millimetres wider and 29
millimetres higher than before. These new dimensions create the conditions
for an interior concept which provides every single occupant with first-class
comfort. Interior parameters such as shoulder-room and elbow-room have increased
by up to 39 millimetres, while headroom has again improved by up to five
millimetres. Rear seat passengers in the long-wheelbase version benefit from
a greater distance between the seats (+ 10 mm) and more knee-room (+ 11 mm)
compared to the preceding series. The capacity of the boot has increased
by 60 litres to 560 litres (VDA measuring method).