Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2017 Review

Offering hot shoulder massages through the velvety leather seats, fragrance infusions with ambient lighting to match and even heated and cooled cup-holders in the rear seat, the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been created for the wealthiest, most discerning drivers – or passengers.

In the rear owners can specify electrically reclining individual seats matched with goose-down headrest pillows that make you feel like you're on Mick Doohan' private jet.

The doors will shut themselves silently if you don’t push them closed properly, there are powered window blinds for extra privacy and, on Maybach models, fold-out tables that form a mobile luxury office.

You can have new inline six-cylinder engines with low fuel consumption, clever new mild and plug-in hybrid powertrains or you could go for two versions of AMG’s thumping twin-turbo V8. Let's not forget the V12 either.

The upgraded 2018 version of the world’s oldest car-maker’s flagship passenger sedan is a preposterously luxurious, high-tech vehicle with an attention to detail that defies description, but its biggest drawcard is its ability to function without driver input.

Autonomous tech takes another step
True blue, I reckon the car took care of almost a quarter of this launch drive and not just straight freeway cruising. That's a record in my book, and could even put me out of a job if it learns to string a few words together and smile for the camera.

But trusting a car to take a corner at 150km/h on the autobahn, then slow down as you rapidly approach a Volkswagen Golf is not easy! Getting out of the habit of being in complete control that letting the car take care of what is an incredibly serious task takes a huge amount of courage.

But after toying around with the semi-automated drive system – Intelligent Drive in Mercedes-speak – the latest S-Class managed to allay (most of) my fears.

It navigates slow-speed commuter traffic with ease and even makes its way around poorly painted road lines better than some drivers, although if there are no road lines or visual anchors you'll have to intervene.

S-Class could save your licence
Reading road signs, it will slow down for villages and towns, and speed up when the buildings fade away. It's no surprise that insurance companies are keen on autonomous cars, as they'll deliver a level of predictability humans can't. Speeding fines could be a thing of the past too.

Cruising in the S-Class can be a hands-off affair in a wide variety of situations, the car only requiring input every 60 seconds or so. If you wanted, you could drive with a sandwich in one hand and cup of coffee in the other (but it's not recommended) while holding a conversation with a back seat passenger.

In fact, with a colleague in the back, at one point I imagined a swivelling seat would be a neat idea, and it certainly makes the prospect of a Sydney to Melbourne drive less daunting.

Heavy rain reduced the system's accuracy but it still functioned, slowing down for corners, steering and staying within its lane.

The S-Class is not foolproof, far from it. If the corner is too tight or the speed too high it gives up, and every now and then just fizzles out for no reason, requiring you to be ever-ready.

But thus far it's the best such system available and the impact that vehicles like this and the upcoming Audi A8 will have on society will be immense as this fascinating technology blossoms.

I imagine if this car had gesture control like the BMW 7 Series, a driver may even engage autonomous driving aids with the wave of a hand. It's equal parts scary and exciting.

Take control
When the traffic dies off and the roads become interesting (or unmarked), the flagship Mercedes sedan can hold its own. With air adjustable air suspension twinned with adaptive dampers, the car can attack corners with surprising vehemence when set to ‘sport’ mode.

Grip levels are surprisingly good, even in the wet, and the clever suspension keeps the S-Class's body flat and predictable when cornering.

Flick the toggle switch to ‘comfort’ mode and it becomes a silky glider once again, keeping all occupants ensconced in the lap of luxury and almost completed isolated from the rigours of the outside world. I did notice some reverb through the air suspension over sharp bumps, but it was only minor.

You'll feel the car’s ominous size constantly, which can make parking it and even sitting within your lane challenging. Measuring more than five metres in length (5125mm for the short wheelbase, 5255mm for the long wheelbase, 5462mm for the Maybach), and almost two metres wide at 1899mm, the S-Class is a big Bertha.

It's heavy too, tipping the scales between just under 2000kg and up to 2360kg according to the German company.

The new engines play a significant role in making the updated S-Class feel a little different, because cosmetically -- inside and out -- it's not dramatically different.

S-Class power, trained
The first model we drove was the S 560, a new model designation powered by a detuned version of AMG’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8.

It doesn't have the wild roar of the same engine in the C 63 or E 63, nor quite as much punch with 345kW/700Nm, but it still gives the S-Class massive acceleration. The official figure is 4.7 seconds to 100km/h and, to be honest, the quieter exhaust note suits the car’s conservatism.

Fuel economy is quoted at 7.9L/100km for the sledgehammer V8, but I saw 12.9L/100km at the end of a 300km stint.

Next up is the S 500, which I was particularly looking forward to, not only because it's a world premiere for the engine but because it's been more than 15 years between drinks for a Benz straight six.

Traditionally that ‘500’ moniker has always designated a V8 donk and although the subtle warble of the V8 is gone, the new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with an electric turbocharger and 1kWh lithium-ion battery is more refined than palm sugar.

Essentially a mild-hybrid, it pumps out 320kW/520Nm but will hustle to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, largely via a boost system than can briefly pump in an extra 16kW and 250Nm when you flex your right foot. It's an impressive 22 per cent more efficient than the old V8 it replaces, using as little as 6.6L/100km.

Diesel S-Class delivers
The third and final engine tested (our S 63 was pilfered by another journalist!) is the least exciting… but perhaps the most impressive in the range, the S 400d.

In another world premiere, this new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is quiet, creamy smooth in operation and its 700Nm of torque is delivered with such little effort from 1200rpm and with such silkiness that it feels like the ultimate S-Class.

Peak power is 250kW at 3600rpm but it's that huge but velvety wave of torque that makes it such a charmer. It's also very efficient, consuming fuel at a rate of 5.6L/100km.

Mercedes-Benz Australia reckons about 50 per cent of Aussies will opt for a diesel, which also includes the S 350d, which employs the same 3.0-litre block but delivers a bit less mumbo.

All engines except the AMG versions pump through Benz's nine-speed automatic transmission, which offers impressive highway cruising efficiency and good response when you hit up the paddle shifters.

It thumped uncomfortably a handful of times at low speed but overall it's a diligent operator. Comfort levels in the car are astronomical and occupant space is excellent. The stereo systems are incredible, the quality of materials lavish but considering the length of these cars boot space is meagre at between 500 and 530 litres depending on the model.

Luxury icon goes high-tech
For decades the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been an automotive icon of luxury and technology, and that mantle seems intact – at least until we see what the new Audi A8 is capable of.

The facelifted S-Class ushers in a new level of self-driving capability that takes advantage of detailed map-reading to stay engaged for longer. It's disappointing that this functionality may not be available straight away in Australia, as the mapping company (HERE) is still working on local details.

Even so, the reality of modern motoring is advancing at a rapid pace, and it's enough to make your head spin. Certainly this first taste has been appetising but we'll need to see how it performs on Aussie roads and just how many features are retained for Oz.

The updated S-Class looks and feels much like its predecessor but with a range of new engines and the most advanced autonomous tech available in a production car today, it's an edifying glimpse of the future.

2018 Mercedes-Benz S 560 price and specifications:
Price: $330,000 (estimate)
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Output: 345kW/700Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 12.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 181g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP