2018 Mercedes S-Class Review
Car Tested: 2018 Mercedes S-Class; Road Test No. 920
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1.57 – 1.59 crores
With the subtle changes to the exteriors, the facelifted S-Class manages to look fresh
To be dubbed as the ‘Best Car In The World’ is an achievement but that also comes with a task to live up to the motto generation after generation. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has indeed set new benchmarks with every generation. It has literally outclassed the competition over the years. However, lately, the Germans have got into an intense battle with the new BMW 7-Series and the Audi A8 fighting it out for the creme in the luxury pie. The S-Class was the oldest of the Germans in this segment, well not anymore. Mercedes-Benz has recently given a mid-life facelift and the changes are not just skin deep. We sampled the 2018 S-Class in the quaint city of Hyderabad and here are our impressions.
Motor Quest: India saw its first S-Class back in 1972 with the W116. Mercedes claims that there are around 6700+ S-Class on the Indian roads.
The S-Class facelift only gets minor tweaks to the exterior, more so on the face
Exteriors – Starting with the exteriors, since this is a mid-life cycle revision, the 2018 Mercedes S-Class gets very subtle tweaks. Absolutely no changes to the sheet metal or body at all. Up front there is a new grille, new tri-split LED headlights (single LED DRL is replaced by three strips of LED DRLs) and a new bumper. At the side, there are shiny new 18-inch alloy wheels. The LED tail-lights get a crystal effect and the revised rear bumper quite sums up the visual changes of the exteriors.
Umpteen number of customisation options are possible in the facelifted S-Class
Interiors – Like the exteriors, the interiors too get minor revisions. The S-Class facelift’s cabin still has the retro, old-school charm and this is evident once you have a look at the circular AC vents and the wood trims. For starters, the 2-spoke steering wheel has made way for a contemporary-looking 3-spoke unit. We really like this 3-spoke unit. The two 12.3-inch screens (one for the instrumentation and one for the infotainment) have been merged into a single unit and honestly speaking with its stunningly sharp and clear graphics, this screen looks class apart. The COMAND infotainment system now gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and the cabin has been done in the finest quality of leather and other materials.
The rear seat can be reclined 43.5-degrees rearward; has all the luxury you can think of!
Nothing beats the Mercedes S-Class when it comes to the back seat comfort
While the front seats offer great comfort and support, an S-Class is all about the back seat, isn’t it? Like before, the rear bench can seat three but the massive transmission hump makes it comfortable for two adults. Individual seats are offered as optional and you still get the regular heating, cooling and massage functions in the rear seat. The rear left passenger seat is the most luxurious of the lot, with a recline and lounge function where the latter allows the front passenger seat to be moved all the way front to deploy a footrest for the rear occupant to stretch out his/her legs. Apart from those, the facelifted S-Class also gets what is called as fragrance (6 fragrances) function. The S-Class has been the best when it comes to the rear seat and the facelift takes that a notch above. There are two 10.2-inch HD screens for the rear passenger’s entertainment, 64-colour Ambient Lighting, panoramic sliding sunroof, electrically adjustable seats (rear too) with memory function, 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound system, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, wireless mobile charging and Nappa leather upholstery.
Performance – The biggest and the most important change comes under the hood. The Mercedes S-Class is offered in both petrol and diesel engine options. The German automaker is offering the S450 with 3.0-litre gasoline engine which produces 367 HP of power. We got a chance to try out the S350d and this is the model which will churn the bulk of the volumes for the German brand. The S350d comes with next generation OM656 oil burner. After nearly 2 decades, Mercedes has ditched the V6 layout and now gone for a more compact in-line 6-cylinder arrangement. The S-Class is the only car in the Indian market which caters to BS-6 emission norms well ahead of time. However, doing all this on BS-4 fuel is nothing less than a technological marvel. Under the fuel filler lid are two openings, one for diesel and the other for AdBlue. In layman speak, it’s the AdBlue which does the magic of taking BS-4 fuel while delivering BS-6 emission standards. Don’t worry, you don’t have to top up AdBlue by yourself. There is a 25-litre tank next to the fuel tank which stores this magic liquid. One full tank of AdBlue is good for approximately 15,000-20,000 kms and the good guys at the Mercedes service centre will top it up for you when your car goes for routine service, all you have to do is fuel up your car with diesel, that’s it.
The BS-6 compliant diesel engine works on BS-4 grade fuel, how Mercedes!
Acceleration in the 2018 S-Class is brisk
To cater to BS-6 emission requirements, Mercedes had to add a lot of tech in the engine bay and this is where the in-line arrangement has helped free up some space on the sides from the conventional V6 layout. This space is now used to pack the hardware to treat the exhaust gases which along with the larger catalytic converter, diesel particulate filter and Selective Catalytic Converter (SCR) along with the AdBlue tank keep the emissions as per BS-6 levels. The latest OM656 churns out 286 HP of power and a mind numbing 600 NM of torque. All this for a car which takes pride in having the ‘Best Rear Seat’ in the business is something to talk about. Power has been bumped up by 28 HP over the previous model and this engine now comes mated with a 9-speed multi-clutch transmission which in one word, is brilliant. Compared to the torque converter, this new transmission offers slick shifts and all this happens so effortlessly, you can barely feel anything while driving. The previous generation car wasn’t the best when it came to downshifting, especially when in a hurry. It would take its own sweet time but this new gearbox downshifts like a charm.
Both the 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines are brand new and meet the BS-6 emission norms
Performance is brisk with absolutely no turbo lag, the torque being available from as low as 1200 RPM. Give it the beans and the S-Class effortlessly darts forward with renewed enthusiasm and in doing this, is extremely refined. The previous OM646 engine had a distinct diesel rumble and was audible at maximum revs, but this one is so refined that it sets a new benchmark for engine refinement. Not only that, we were so amazed by this 3.0-litre in-line 6, it would be safe to say that this is currently the best 6-cylinder engine out there. Let’s talk times now, this car is over a second faster to the ton than the outgoing model and sprints from 0 to 100 km/hr in under 6.5 seconds which is pretty quick for a car of this size.
The S-Class is literally a 5-star hotel on wheels!
Driving Dynamics – The S-Class is famed for its stupendous ride quality and although there has been no change to the suspension, it still does a great job of filtering the undulating surfaces into the cabin. The sad bit is that Mercedes’ famous ‘Magic Body Control’ has not made it to this facelift. The reason for that is that the Indian government doesn’t allow certain radar frequencies for private use as they are exclusively limited for military use. ‘Magic Body Control’ uses radar technology to scan the road surface ahead (nearly 650 meters) and it alters the suspension settings real-time. This means no matter what the surface is, you get a supremely comfortable ride at all times. The suspension leans towards the softer side which certainly keeps the rear passengers happy. The steering is light, weighs up well at high speeds and does the job with utmost satisfaction. But if you are the one who feels at home on the racetrack all the time, then be aware this car is not meant for corner craving as its primary objective it to transport you in luxury. The BMW 7-Series feels better when it comes to driving around corners in a hurry but the S-Class does the job pretty well. That said, if you are the one who likes to take the wheel more often, you will be surprised by how easy it is to drive, plus Mercedes has added a lot of driver aids to make things little easier.
The limousine pampers the rear seat occupants like silly
You now get ADAS or the ‘Active Distance Assist Distronic’ function, an adaptive cruise control system which uses radars to detect a car in front and the system can follow the car, make subtle steering inputs and even stop if needed and then start again. It can maintain a fixed speed on an empty stretch. The ‘Active Steering’ wheel detects lane markings on the road and will keep the car in the requisite lane if the car is drifting out of them. You also have the Blind Spot Assist and the Braking Assist which can automatically apply brakes when the radars detect that there is a chance of collision. Body roll is surprisingly well contained for a sedan of this weight (1990 Kgs) and you have the usual Comfort, Sport, etc. modes. The ride quality is best in the Comfort mode and once you move into the Sport setting, the steering weighs up, the suspension stiffens up a bit and these changes are obviously noticeable when you are behind the wheel. Moreover, if you are caught out on a bad patch of road, you can raise the ground clearance by 30 mm by the press of a button. The suspension will automatically lower itself by 20 mm in ‘Sport’ mode at 100 km/hr and in the ‘Comfort’ mode by 10 mm at 120 km/hr and by another 10 mm at 160 km/hr. This not only improves the handling characteristics but also reduces fuel consumption. Brakes bite well with high predictability.
The S-Class facelift debuts with a host of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
Safety and After Sales Service – The German automaker has thrown in a plethora of safety features in the facelifted S-Class. In addition to the 8 airbags, adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlamps and 360-degrees camera there are a host of driver assistance features like Active Braking Assist, Active Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Parking Assist (it accelerates, brakes and also changes gears, basically it’s fully autonomous). Mercedes has been the best when it comes to after-sales service. Not only does it have a good reach across the country, the quality of the service also has been the best among the luxury car manufacturers.
The S-Class gets 3 LED strips in its headlight, the E-Class gets 2 while the C-Class gets 1, talk about hierarchy!
Verdict – So the big question at the end of it would be, should you buy the 2018 S-Class? There are a few competitors out there, the BMW 7-Series and the Audi A8 are currently on top of their form and then you have the Jaguar XJ too. Some of the driving assists on the S-Class have been available on the Volvo cars for a long time though we find the autonomous braking bit quite exciting. But, you don’t just buy an S-Class for all this, you buy it for the sheer opulence and luxury this car provides while offering the most comfortable rear seat in the business. Now, with the in-line 6-cylinder configuration, it is not only more powerful and will appeal to those who like to take the wheel once in a while. It is also is the cleanest and the only production car to meet BS-6 emission standards on BS-4 fuel, which in its own way is a feat in itself. Although we did miss the ‘Magic Body Control’ on this facelift, it doesn’t make the S-Class any less appealing. With the new goodies onboard, the Mercedes S-Class still continues to lead the upper end of the luxury segment and how.
What’s Cool
* Looks like an ultra-luxury vehicle from all angles
* Interiors even more luxurious than before
* All-new diesel and petrol engines with ultimate tech
* Unending list of safety features
What’s Uncool
* Radar technology based tech disabled in India
The one piece infotainment plus the instrument cluster screen looks like its taken straight out of the space age!
Alternatives: BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, Jaguar XJ
2018 Mercedes S-Class Specifications
* Engine: 2996cc, V6, turbocharged (Petrol) | 2925cc, 6-cyl, turbocharged (Diesel)
* Power: 367 HP @ 5500-6100 RPM (Petrol) | 286 HP @ 3400-4600 RPM (Diesel)
* Torque: 500 Nm @ 1600-4000 RPM (Petrol) | 600 Nm @ 1200-3200 RPM (Diesel)
* Transmission: 9-speed G-tronic automatic
* 0-100 km/hr: 5.1 Seconds (Petrol) | 6 Seconds (Diesel)
* Top Speed: 250 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: NA
* Fuel Type: Petrol | Diesel
* Suspension: Air (Front), Air (Rear)
* Tyres: 245/50/18 (Front), 245/50/18 (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front) & Disc (Rear), ABS
* Safety: 8 airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, Traction Control
2018 Mercedes S-Class Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 5255 mm X 1899 mm X 1494 mm
* Wheelbase: 3165 mm
* Ground Clearance: 109 mm
* Boot Space: 510-litres
* Turning Radius: 6.15-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 70-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1990 kgs
[wp-review id=”211424″]