Supremely refined

Yes, all Mercedes-Benz vehicles are symbols of luxury, but the new S-Class outdoes most in its category

Luxury is a word that is indiscriminately used and credited to many cars when there are actually only a few that define the epitome of affluence. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class fits the bill. This technologically advanced vehicle is built not only to take on its direct rivals like the Audi, BMW and the Jaguar, but also the iconic Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Is Mercedes-Benz getting over ambitious or has the German automaker managed to master the perfect blend of refinement and grandeur?

Simply by looking at the S-Class, it becomes quite obvious that the car has been stretched to make it even more spacious than it already was. Despite the increased dimensions, the Stuttgart-based company has ensured that the new car does not come across as bulky and ungainly. The gorgeous angular headlamp LED cluster with the massive front grille and the car's silhouette give the S-Class an agile, compact image. Strong influences of the super-luxe Maybach can be seen in this Merc, especially in the roofline that drops at the rear.

Step inside the cabin and you almost imagine an airhostess will pop out from behind the upholstery and welcome you to Air Mercedes-Benz. The cabin of the previous S-Class was no doubt grand, but it was nowhere near being class-leading like the current one's. The seats look like they belong to the presidential suite of a luxury hotel. They can recline - to almost horizontal - for your comfort and provide excellent back and head support. In fact, because the seats recline to such an angle, it enables a full view of the starry sky under the big, panoramic roof of the S-Class. If that doesn't catch your fancy then here is something that you don't get to see every day in a car - the seats are also equipped for a quiet therapy session, fitted as they are with six different massage modes. Now won't you love your drive home after a tiring day at work! And don't forget, the seats, as well as the armrest, come with individual cooling and heating vents.

The S-Class flaunts its perfection even in the in-car entertainment set-up. It comes with full-sized foldout trays and beautiful 31.2-cm TFT screens for COMAND, the media hub. The Burmester music system is a masterpiece of construction and can be said to be the best in the business with a movie theatre-like surround system that drowns out intrusive noises. Not a single note goes awry, and every beat of the music is tangible as you drive through traffic snares.

In the front, you are welcomed by a lovely wooden dashboard with retro chrome air vents. The two-spoke steering wheel is inspired by a vintage Mercedes model and this adds to the overall class of the fittings. The finish and build quality are superb, but what makes the S-Class stand apart is its old-school evergreen look even when it is technologically an ultra modern machine.

Switch on the ignition and the S500's 448bhp turbocharged V8 heart comes alive. It begins with a silent purr, but you can feel the undertone of power in the whisper. With a torque of 700Nm, very much in the region of diesel power plants, this petrol engine is not just a brilliant long-distance cruiser, but easily tackles any day-to-day chaos on the roads. The drive is effortless, whether it is at 50 kmph or 200 kmph.

The 7-speed automatic gearbox is versatile and changes according to the two driving modes available - Economy and Sport. The transmission might not be the quickest, but even its relaxed nature will never allow you to complain about lag or a power surge. It is truly a smooth operator meant for connoisseurs.

Unfortunately, the ground-breaking technology of Magic Body Control is not available in India due to government regulations that disallow use of certain radar-based systems. This is sad because it would have easily been the benchmark in the segment and would have provided an improved ride quality. The system basically uses cameras and radar to determine road conditions ahead and configures the suspension so that ride quality is almost flawless.

For India, we got the tried and tested air suspension - this comes in Comfort and Sport modes. Comfort, as suggested by its name, is laidback and relaxed and perfect when you are being ferried to your office and back home. But if you plan to hit the high points, then we suggest you choose the Sport mode because the car understeers less at high speeds in this mode. Though the steering feedback remains limited, the suspension set-up in the Sport option gives you more confidence.

The S-Class has always been a must-have car for world leaders, celebrities, policy makers and industrial magnates and it continues to forge ahead in this distinguished segment. The comfort trims and options are one of a kind and can't be compared to those in any other car. Refinement is the key, while the power under the bonnet provides lightning quick responses even for a car of its size. What is better than the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class? Hard to say. Perhaps the Rolls-Royce.

MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS
Engine: 4663cc, V8
Power: 459 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 700 Nm @ 3500
0-100km: 4.8 seconds
Top speed: 250 kmph
Price: Rs 1.36 crore (Ex-showroom, Mumbai)