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.