Remember Miranda Priestly’s (Meryl Streep) entry in The Devil Wears Prada, where she steps out of a silver Merc, in a pair of beautiful red pumps, and proceeds towards Runway’s office? That Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always been associated with power and luxury. It has been the automatic choice for many, over other luxury cars on the market, because, quite frankly, nothing defines luxury and refinement better.
The new variant only upped the ante by adding several exciting features, at a starting price of Rs 1.33 crore. The biggest change in both, petrol (S450; 2,996cc) and diesel (S350d; 2987cc), is that the V6 engine has been replaced by the inline-six engine. The car also comes with a 25-litre tank that contains Adblue, an exhaust fluid that cuts diesel emissions.
Externally, three louvres and vertical bars in a glossy black finish adorn the radiator. The bumper that now sits lower adds to its frontal appeal, so do the multi-beam LED headlamps with three striking light torches that resemble Adidas’s three stripes. The rear bumper comes with an integral tailpipe trim and new LED tail lights, while the 18-inch light alloy wheels add a dash of sportiness.
Inside, the beautiful three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel has cruise control. The Active Distance Assist or Distronic, when activated, controls the distance to vehicles in front, up to a speed of 210kmph. The eucalyptus wood trim of the dashboard has been replaced with open-pore ash wood, is a flat, matt finish. We really prefer the former.
The ‘Widescreen Cockpit’, that looks like an elongated iPad, boasts an HD display with real-time content and extended graphical representations that give the new S-Class a technological edge. What make this S-Class a real luxury saloon are the comfortable and spacious rear seats and the big remote control for the two 12.3-inch displays that make you feel like you are at home in your recliner. These features, combined with a highly efficient and pleasantly silent engine, make a really strong case for the new S-Class.