New Mercedes-Benz S-Class safety jumps up

When it arrives in Australia early next year, the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine will be able to instantly lift itself by 80mm to reduce the severity in the event of a side-impact collision.

This is just one of several new safety systems outlined by the German luxury car maker for the next instalment of its biggest and most expensive sedan, which looks like setting new technology benchmarks in the automotive world.

Taking advantage of an almost military-spec sensor suite, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be able to detect an impending side impact and then raise its body to put more robust body parts in harm's way, such as the door sill, which can absorb more force than the windows or doors.

Mercedes says it will be one of several new features designed to keep occupants safer than in virtually any other car on the market – this side of a bullet-proof limo… although it will offer that too.

The $200,000-plus luxury limousine will also get a centre airbag that positions itself between the driver and front passenger seat, reducing the risk of their heads clashing together in the event of a collision.

Going one step further than the upcoming Kia Sorento and Isuzu D-MAX, which will also offer front centre airbags, rear-seat occupants of the next S-Class won't miss out on the either.

A big 'tent-like' airbag inflates between the two rear passengers to reduce the head and neck injuries in frontal impacts.

“With the new S-Class we are now proudly presenting the world's first frontal airbag for the passengers in the rear,” said Dr Thomas W Hellmuth, the bloke in charge of safety systems for the new S-Class.

He explained that together with a belt-bag and inflatable seat belt, rear-seat passengers have never been safer.

Mercedes says its extra-large long-wheelbase sedan will offer class-leading interior space, but claims that drivers won’t notice its stretched dimensions because the new S-Class will be “almost as manoeuvrable and agile as a compact car around town”.

Thanks to a new rear-wheel steering system that can swivel the rear hoops by up to 10 degrees in either direction, the S-Class’s turning circle is reduced by two metres kerb to kerb.

“The rear-axle steering makes the S-Class as manoeuvrable as a compact car. Even for the S-Class with a long wheelbase, the turning circle is reduced to under 11 metres,” said Jürgen Weissinger, chief engineer for the new Mercedes S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz has previously shown off several interior features of its new high-tech flagship, including an incredible five-screen set-up, not to mention its windscreen-projected augmented reality navigation guidance.

Under the bonnet, along with a pair of inline six-cylinder engines – turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel – the new S-Class will also get a version of AMG’s 4.0-litre biturbo petrol V8 for the next S 63.

However, the V12 engines previously offered in the S-Class are no more, spelling the end of the S 65.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will make its global premiere in September, before its arrival in Australia next year.