Mercedes-Benz to launch S-Class, continues serving the haves
Mercedes-Benz to launch S-Class, continues serving the haves
Primastuti Handayani
The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
With about 485,000 of its S-Class vehicles sold worldwide over
the past seven years, Mercedes-Benz continues to serve the VIP
segment ranging from businesspeople, celebrities and heads of
state.
The German automaker will launch its new S-Class this autumn,
pitching the vehicle squarely at well-off consumers.
Those with a bit of money may already have a collection of
Porsches, Ferraris, Maybachs (from Mercedes-Benz parent company
DaimlerChrysler) and Rolls Royces, but they continue to find room
in their garages for the S-Class.
The new S-Class -- available in lengths of 5,076 millimeters
and 5,206 millimeters, the latter also available with panoramic
sliding roof -- offers a sportier look due to its low roof and
coupe-like silhouette.
The S-Class is easy to operate, requiring only the push of a
button on the multifunction steering wheel -- for entertainment
and communications features such as radio, TV receiver, CD/DVD
changer and telephone -- or with the help of the improved COMAND
(Cockpit Management and Data System) controller.
The direct-election switches in the center console enable the
driver to operate them without having to look down. The
centerpiece of the dashboard is a color screen with the latest
display technology for a bright, crystal-clear image.
The S-Class is also equipped with Direct Select -- an
electronic control of the standard 7G-tronic seven-speed
automatic transmission.
Backseat passengers now have the option of luxury seats with
heating and ventilation, and multicontour seats that can massage
the passengers' backs.
Engine performance remains a major consideration in purchasing
a car. The new S-Class is available in four engine variants,
namely the S 350 (with maximum output of 272 horsepower), S 500
(388 hp), S 320 CDI (231 hp) and S 600 (517 hp), with the latter
two to be available beginning in first quarter 2006.
Mercedes-Benz said the new engines could generate up to 26
percent more output and up to 15 percent more torque. The S 500,
for example, can achieve maximum torque of 530 Newton meters at
2,800 revs per minute. It can also accelerate from a standstill
to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) in just 5.4 seconds.
With such engine performance and high-end features, safety is
always a concern. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz also equips its car
with Brake Assist PLUS, which registers vehicles ahead by radar
and gives a warning if the gap between vehicles is too narrow or
if the closing speed its too high.
This feature is combined with PRE-SAFE that recognizes
potential accident situations such as skidding. In such cases,
the system tensions front seat belts as a precaution and inflates
air cushions in the multicontour seats to envelop and support the
driver, front passenger and rear seat occupants. The car's side
windows will automatically close when an accident threatens.
The S-Class is also equipped with DISTRONIC PLUS that operates
at between 0 kph and 200 kph. The system automatically brakes the
S-Class to a standstill if necessary and accelerates back to the
required speed when traffic starts moving again.
Night view assist, which is premiering in the new S-Class, is
expected to help curb accidents during the night. The system is
based on the infrared light that is invisible to the human eye.
Domestic consumers will have to wait to get their hands on the
new S-Class because its autumn launch will only feature a left-
hand drive system.
PT DaimlerChrysler Indonesia deputy director for marketing,
planning and communication Yuniadi Hartono said the company did
not yet know when the car would enter the domestic market, adding
that the right-hand drive system needed between three and six
months for production.
So, Indonesian consumers will have to be patient if they want
to buy the vehicle, the price of which has yet to be announced by
the carmaker.