Next Mercedes-Benz S-Class cabin exposed

The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been revealed - well, the inside of it at least.

Arguably the most important area of a luxury limousine, the S-Class's opulent new cabin features hand-stitched fabrics, a new 24-speaker Burmester stereo, massaging rear seats, an active perfuming and air ionisation system and several other world-firsts to boot.

Designated the W222 model, the new S-Class is due in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2013 and will raise the bar in terms of comfort, interior space, noise suppression, safety and technology.

And it will need to, since it will be Daimler’s most prestigious model following the axing of the Maybach brand, the pioneering German car-maker’s answer to BMW’s Rolls-Royce range.

Showing off a stylish and swoopy "ultra-modern" dashboard with stitched leather facades, the primo German saloon makes a strong visual impact, particular as it is the first S-Class to use completely digital instruments - the previous model presented half-digital, half analogue gauges.

One LCD screen displays digital representations of the speedometer and tachometer, while the second screen is used for infotainment. However, unlike many modern digital displays, the Mercedes system will be operated via a rotary dial and not by touch, as part of its fifth-generation COMAND interface.

Benz says the new infotainment system is a big step forward and even rear-seat passengers can get in on the act via rear-mounted monitors, making the S-Class the "first vehicle worldwide to offer a genuine multi-user system for entertainment functions," says Mercedes.

In other words, all four seats facilitate independent access to all infotainment options, making travelling in the back of the S-Class more like plane travel than ever.

The infotainment system is powered by an Intel Atom processor and supports Apple iOS and various car-related apps. Blackberry and Android support are expected to come later.

Like the exterior, LEDs will be used extensively in the interior to set the mood, as will the company's Magic Sky Control LED glass sunroof. A new active perfuming system has four scents on offer: ‘freeside, sports, downtown and nightlife’.

Mercedes has ditched its Bang & Olufsen audio system for Burmester equipment, the range-topping system a 1500-Watt, 24-speaker surround sound jobbie.

Rear-seat passengers in the new S-Class will be pampered with new options including reclining rear seats with massage functionality. There are six massage programs (two of them heated) delivered via 14 inflatable air bladders.

Throw in heated door panels, arm rests and active seat ventilation (that can now be reversed) and it comes as no surprise that Mercedes focussed development on the long-wheel base models "for the first time in the history of the S-Class".

Apart from the demise of Maybach, this is due partly because of the importance of the Chinese market, where chauffeur-driven vehicle are popular.

As we reported previously, the new S-Class will be offered in five body styles: short- and long-wheelbase sedans, the extra-long wheelbase Pullman sedan, and coupe and convertible.

Not unlike the E-Class coupe and cabriolet that replaced the CLK models, the two-door S-Class derivatives will replace Benz's CL- and SL-Class models.

Naturally, the new S-Class will also push the safety envelope, packaged with state-of-the-art technology such as autonomous control, a system that can that follow a vehicle in front at low speeds without any intervention from the driver.

In 2012 during a special tech day presentation, it was revealed the S-Class's seatbelts can actively pull occupants in different directions, to position them away from the area of impact, thereby reducing the severity of impacts on occupants.

Other safety features include an updated lane-keeping assistant that can read broken lines as well as solid ones, active brakes with traffic monitoring to prime the brakes if its detects risks, and even Magic Body Control, which uses cameras to 'read' the road and improve ride quality via proactive suspension damping.

Another tech day revealing more world-first S-Class features is currently being held in Europe, so stay tuned.

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