Rarely do carmakers meet the supercilious standards they set in pitches to the buying public, but in the case of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes does just that. And it has been doing this for decades with the introduction of countless innovations in comfort and convenience, performance, safety and technology.
If you are lucky enough to be in the market for an ultra-luxury sedan, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class certainly deserves a spot at the top of your short list. Though it focuses narrowly on luxury, the Mercedes flagship still comes in a wide range of models. From the more fuel-efficient S400 Hybrid and S350 Bluetec diesel models to the shockingly powerful S65 AMG, there is an S-Class for everyone.
The good news for luxury sedan lovers is there is no real way to go wrong. Alternatives like the 2013 Audi A8 represent a somewhat more technical interpretation of luxury, while the 2013 BMW 7 Series emphasises performance.
The stately 2013 Jaguar XJ, on the other hand, brings a distinctly British flavour to the mix. For the individual who desires even higher all-around performance, the Porsche Panamera is the driver's choice.
In the end, though, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sets the standard by which all others are measured. Although, the 2013 S-Class is yet to arrive the shores of Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor of Mercedes brands in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Ltd., said that the latest brand will land in the country before the end of October.
Speaking on the innovation with auto journalists recently, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Dr. Dieter Zetsche said rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, its aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect. Zetsche said no other car stands for the Mercedes- Benz brand promise more than the S-Class.
This pursuit of the best or nothing is particularly noticeable in the interior: whether it is the seats or the front and rare air conditioning, the controls or the design, the infotainment or the comfort and safety in the rear. Body styles The 2013 S-Class is a five-passenger, full-size luxury sedan available in S400 Hybrid, S350 Bluetec, S550, S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG trim levels. Each is representative of a different engine, and in the case of the AMG models, a higher degree of other performance capabilities.
Every model comes standard with 18-inch wheels (AMGs excepted), adaptive air suspension, active bixenon headlights with automatic high beams and LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a power trunk closer and a sunroof. Comfort and convenience items include keyless ignition/ entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10- way power front seats (with heating, ventilation, massage, four-way lumbar adjustment, adjustable/active bolsters, enhanced headrests and memory functions), leather upholstery and extended interior trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera, auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirrors and a power rear sunshade.
Electronic features include the COMAND electronics interface, Bluetooth, a navigation system, voice controls and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with a six-CD/DVD changer, HD radio, satellite radio and an iPod interface. The S63 AMG includes those items, then adds 20-inch AMG wheels and specific styling cues as well as AMGtuned suspension, steering, brakes and exhaust. Inside you get a sport steering wheel, shift paddles, an enhanced instrument cluster and AMGspecific leather and trim. Also included is Active Body Control, a suspension technology that reduces body roll in the corners. The available AMG Performance package increases its engine output and top speed. Performance Each 2013 S-Class model comes with a different engine.
The S400 Hybrid features a 3.5-litre V6 paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. It is rear-wheel drive only. Total output is 295 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque.
In Edmunds performance testing, the S400 accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. EPAestimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. The S350 Bluetec features a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 that produces 240 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic and all-wheel drive (4Matic) are standard. In Edmunds testing, it went from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds The S550 gets a twin-turbo 4.7-litre V8 that produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.
A seven-speed automatic and rearwheel drive are standard, but all-wheel drive is optional. Mercedes estimates it will go from zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds. The S600 gets a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V12 good for 510 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque.
A five-speed automatic (required for the engine's extra torque) and rear-wheel drive are standard. Mercedes estimates it will go from zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds, while returning EPA-estimated fuel economy of 12/19/14.
Safety The S-Class comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, side airbags both front and rear, side curtain airbags, active head restraints and Mercedes-Benz mbrace emergency telematics. Also standard is the Mercedes PreSafe system, which can sense an impending crash and automatically tighten the seatbelts and reposition the power seats for maximum airbag protection.
Optional features, depending on the trim, include a lane-departure and blind-spot warning system with automatic brake intervention, infrared Night Vision Assist and PreSafe braking, which uses the optional adaptive cruise control's radar system to sense an impending crash and automatically apply the brakes. In Edmunds brake testing, an S400 came to a stop in a solid 121 feet. Both AMG models stopped in an excellent 111 feet, while the S350 split the distance with a 116-foot distance.
Expect the S550 and S600 to be similar to that. Interior design The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been the standardbearer for luxury for several decades and the latest incarnation upholds that tradition in grand style. With exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, the cabin features top-notch materials and exacting construction.
If you want something richer, you'll have to step up to a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. The COMAND electronics system uses a control knob and screen to work most entertainment and navigation functions, but the lack of physical dash buttons (like those in the E-Class) tends to complicate the operation of frequently used functions. The S-Class's abundance of features can also be a bit overwhelming. Driving impressions
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provides a ride you had expect from a top-tier luxury sedan. The compliant suspension ably cancels out road imperfections while also keeping body roll in check, and the cabin remains as quiet as a library even over rough pavement. It simultaneously gives you that stately luxury-car feel, without making you feel overly isolated from driving.
Source: Mirror Drive: Mercedes Benz S-Class Ultra-luxury sedan (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/mirror-drive-mercedes-benz-s-class-ultra-luxury-sedan/)
Carmakers are just doing very well so far cos their products are just mind-blowing.
They've really done well!