Collection Gift Guide: S is for Spectacular
December 1, 2005
Though its exterior might be uncharacteristically brutish, its interior
offers a modern, accommodating sense of familiarity for those who are accustomed
to driving a Mercedes-Benz. The appealing contours of the wood-trimmed dash wrap
around to the top edges of the door; at night, the soft glow of an ambient light
strip highlights their curves. Optional dynamic, multicontour seats feature
adjustable internal air chambers that shape various areas of the seat to your
body; they also sense g forces and pump up side bolsters for added support. As
we swept through a set of high-speed alpine S-curves, the sensation of seat
cushions moving in rhythm with the car’s motion was comforting. Another
option—variable pressure massage—constantly inflates and deflates seven air
chambers to lessen muscle fatigue. Rear passengers have their own controls for
seat adjustment and the entertainment system.
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Flared fenders are a new design element for the S-Class. (Click image to enlarge.)BMW’s 7 Series also confused and annoyed many potential customers with its overly complicated iDrive driver management system. Mercedes-Benz pioneered the use of an integrated multifunction control system with its COMAND, which has also taken its share of criticism for difficult operation. Like the 7 Series, the new S-Class sports a stubby gearshift lever on the steering column and an iDrive-like control knob on the center console. But while the knob does operate various aspects of the COMAND system à la the dreaded iDrive, drivers can independently access many basic functions for the audio system, seats, navigation, and integrated telephone through a set of main control buttons on the console. Further, improvements such as a high-definition screen that sits higher in the dash and graphics that scroll easily have transformed COMAND into a surprisingly intuitive, quick, and user-friendly tool.
The S-Class features a new range of more powerful engines that includes a 335 hp 4.6-liter 4-valve V-8 (S450), a 382 hp 5.5-liter V-8 (S500), and a gloriously powerful 510 hp bi-turbo 5.5-liter V-12 (S600). The latter moves the sedan from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The V-8s mate to the excellent 7-speed driver-adaptive automatic transmission, while the V-12, with 612 ft lbs of torque, needs only a 5-speed automatic to do its work. Cruising along the autostrada at 100 mph in the S600, the interior remained whisper quiet until the slight application of pressure to the throttle—the V-12 responded with a low growl and quickly took us to 130 mph without breaking stride. The powertrains provide the silky smooth responsiveness you expect—but don’t always get—in a large premium sedan.
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