Mercedes S-Class Sedan. 7th generation 2021
Mercedes S-class is a flagship range of executive passenger cars from the German company Mercedes-Benz that has been in production since 1972 and which offers vehicles of sedan, coupe, and convertible car body variations with either a rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive. S-class vehicles have both short and long wheelbase versions (with an ‘L’ letter added to their name) equipped with gasoline, diesel, or hybrid engines. There are also high-performance Mercedes-AMG modifications available for all S-class vehicles starting from the third generation. In 2021 the Israel market offers seventh generation S-class vehicles.
The new Mercedes S-class model has increased in size considerably. The standard 4-door and 4- or 5-seat sedan car of the 2021 model year has the following measurements: 5179 mm in length, 1954 or 1921 mm in width, 1503 mm in height, and 3106 mm in the wheelbase area. For the Long wheelbase vehicles, the measurements are 5289 mm, 1954, or 1921 mm, 1503 mm, and 3216 mm respectively. The width measurement would depend on whether the car has regular or hidden door handles. The trunk volume is 550 liters. In comparison with the previous generation W222 models, the new W223 model is now bigger in all respects.
Distinctive features
While keeping the recognizable S-class look, the new model also got some new design features including triangular taillights and some other innovations. Apart from that, the 2021 S-class vehicle also became the first-ever Mercedes vehicle to receive retractable door handles. It has now got the lowest aerodynamic drag coefficient of only 0.22.
As for the big changes, they have all happened in the passenger compartment. Last generation S-class models were the first Mercedes cars to receive the classic monolith dashboard where all indicators and multimedia screens are joined together into one big ‘plate’. As for the new sedan model, it offers a completely new dashboard concept which was probably borrowed from the Tesla vehicles – the virtual 12.3-inch dashboard and the multimedia screen are once again separated. The MBUX multimedia system with lots of online possibilities is now presented in the form of a vertical 12.8-inch touch screen, completely replacing the traditional center console. Music control, as well as microclimate control and some other features, can now all be accessed through that screen, which has led to the new S-class model losing 27 physical buttons. The overall number of screens in the passenger compartment has reached six and, apart from the dashboard indicators and the multimedia screen, it also includes rear-seat entertainment displays, a small central armrest monitor which can be taken out and used as a separate device as well as a head-up display.
More advanced models are also supplied with an augmented reality system that allows the driver to see navigation instructions on the head-up display. This display also shows the current speed and the speed restrictions following the traffic rules highlights the right-of-way line and warns the driver about the turns ahead with special arrow indicators. The display can also ‘read’ the information about the other vehicles on the road in terms of their dimensions and the safe distance that needs to be kept between the two cars, as well as interact with the navigation system showing you the distance to your destination points. As you approach the destination point, it will appear on the display in the shape of a pin mark.
The backrests as well as the front panel and the doors are all equipped with LED lights. These lights can change color depending on the temperature in the passenger compartment, visualize virtual assistant’s speech as well as give a red light signal to signify activation of the emergency brake system or lane-keeping assist, or to warn about the unsafe distance when trying to open the car door in close proximity to other vehicles or bicycles. These lights are also ten times more powerful than before, which makes them visible even in the daytime. And these are only a few of the many features incorporated into the new cutting-edge Mercedes S-class 2021 model.
Modifications
Mercedes S-class 2021 is available in a number of different modifications each supplied with a 6-cylinder motor. The S 350 d model is equipped with a 2.9-liter diesel turbine motor with power capacity of 286 hp, and this is the only model offered in both a rear-wheel drive version and a four-wheel drive one. The other models are all four-wheel drive. The S 400 d model is equipped with the same diesel turbine motor but with power capacity of 330 hp instead of 286. The S 450 vehicles are equipped with 3-liter gasoline turbine motors with power capacity of 367 hp which has been boosted to 435 hp and 520 Nm for the S 500 model. Both of these models are also supplied with a 48-volt EQ Boost starter generator which adds 22 hp and 250 Nm to the car when starting. Average fuel consumption for the new sedan models ranges from 6.4 to 9.5 liters per 100 km depending on the size of the wheelbase as well as the type of engine used. The gearbox is the same for all vehicles – each model is supplied with a 9-speed 9G-Trinic automatic gearbox. In the future, the range will also include V8-engine models, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles with an electric range of up to 100 km.
Trim versions
Standard trim versions of the new sedan model offer regular air suspension which may optionally be replaced with an active E-Active Body Control hydro-pneumatic suspension system activated by a 48-volt electric system that allows the driver to control each wheel separately. Thanks to the Pre-Safe Impulse Side function, the new suspension also allows the car to be lifted 88 mm a few seconds before side collision occurs, thus reducing the risk of injury. Apart from the classic Mercedes airbags, there are now also frontal airbags for the back seat (option available for the long wheelbase versions only). The ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant supports 27 languages, the amount of speakers can reach up to 30 and the front power seats are equipped with a set of 19 electric motors: eight for general settings, four for massage settings, five for ventilation settings, one for lumbar support and one for backrest display adjustment. There are ten massage options available for the front seats.
The new generation MBUX interface offers face, voice, and fingerprint recognition options to the driver, as well as a voice interaction option. Apart from that, the system can also recognize hand gestures and movements of not only the driver but the passengers as well. The new sedan model also allows you to sync your fitness tracker with it to then choose the most suitable comfort system option depending on the sleep quality. The driver of the latest S-class vehicle doesn’t have to adjust seats, mirrors, or steering wheel by hand anymore – just tell the virtual assistant your height, and the car will immediately find the most suitable option for you personally.
The new back seats of the Mercedes S-class 2021 vehicles have now got even more adjustment options as well as a more advanced massage system. There are five back seat versions available, including a three-seat back seat option as well as separate seats option with extendable ottomans and neck heating option. More advanced seats are also equipped with a set of 19 electric motors that allow the seat cushion and the backrest to be adjusted to each passenger individually. The standard 2-zone climate control system is equipped with 17 stepper motors for air flow regulation, and the more advanced 4-zone climate control system has also got another 20 in the rear seat area of the car.
Optional features include Digital Light headlights with 1.3 million movable micro mirrors in each of them which can not only change the shape of the light beam but also project warning signs and additional markings onto the road. For the first time, there are also two-door handle options available including regular and hidden door handles.
