Matt Brogan•17 May 2013
NEWS
Mercedes S-Class tech trickle-down set to gush
Benz safety and technology to move down-range faster than ever beforeIf your car has airbags, power windows, central locking, anti-lock brakes, stability control, or cruise control you can, more or less, thank the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The luxury sedan has long been a leader in pioneering automotive technology, and the newly unveiled model isn’t any different.
And while we’ve covered at length the numerous safety and technology features premiered in the all-new S-Class, it was only during the wash-up of the new model’s briefing that we discovered how quickly many of these ‘firsts’ will take to trickle down range.
Echoing the sentiments of Mercedes-Benz global executive VP of marketing, Joachim Schmidt's presentation, the Australian head of the Mercedes Car Group said Mercedes-Benz will seek to expedite this advancement of technology, especially where safety is concerned.
“It will happen quickly, in bits and pieces, but I think it will also happen in a way that keeps the S-Class in its outstanding position for a little while,” explained Mercedes Car Group MD, Horst von Sanden. “Certainly safety technology has priority.”
Indeed many of the features ‘revealed’ in S-Class were beaten to production by the updated E-Class, though we can expect many more to follow in the upcoming C-Class, and all-new E-Class slated for launch in Q3 2015.
And in case a Mercedes isn’t on your shopping list, it appears even Ford has caught on to some of the safety technology shown in the German brand’s flagship. The rear seatbelt-mounted airbags, known as Beltbags, will feature in the new Mondeo from next year (2014).
The impressive efficiency figures announced with the new S-Class are also likely to sway even more buyers to the brand. As legislation tightens (in most places) around the world, the local brand head said he believes people will be swayed to S-Class in even greater numbers.
“Efficiency is less important to the Australian luxury car buyer at this time, but it won’t be a long time before it becomes very important,” said von Sanden, referencing Australia’s lax legislative approach to lower emissions vehicles.
“[But] Australians are very quick at catching up, and they are very passionate. Once they figure out what’s possible I think they will put efficiency on their list.”
“People want to be responsible and they want to drive a car that shows they’re being responsible,” he emphasised. “Being responsible has become a value of success, and something people are more prepared than ever before to invest in.”
When asked just how much of an investment Australians will have to make, von Sanden admitted that the new high-tech limo would not come cheap, saying it could be priced at the same level, or even slightly more than the current model. Adding that final specification and pricing are, of course, to be confirmed closer to the model's Q3 release.
Australia will initially receive short and long-wheelbase versions of S 500 (petrol V8) and S 350 BlueTEC (diesel V6) when the new S-Class is launched here in September. S 400 HYBRID (petrol-electric) and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID (diesel-electric) models are yet to be confirmed. Ditto the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID, which is at least 12 months away.
The current S-Class range is priced between $213,428 and $499,200 (excluding on-road costs).
Even at the end of its eight-year model cycle the current S-Class still leads the segment in global sales. In 2012, Mercedes-Benz sold just over 80,000 units against less than 60,000 Audi A8s and fewer than 40,000 of the BMW 7 Series.
With the technology, economy and safety offered in the new model, and its domination in luxury car-thirsty China, the yearly six figure milestone could be reached for the first time by the end of 2014.
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Written byMatt Brogan
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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