Auto Nation Group unboxes 7th-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class

MANILA: Since its introduction in 1972, the flagship vehicle of Mercedes-Benz — the epitome of ultimate luxury — has cycled through seven head-turning generations. And now, the latest iteration of the S-Class, first debuting worldwide last year, is finally in the Philippines.

Auto Nation Group, Inc (ANG), the official importer and distributor of the Stuttgart-headquartered brand, today presented the latest iteration of the luxe executive vehicle, formerly called Sonderklasse, to media. The launch was led by ANG President Felix Ang, ANG COO Frankie Ang, and Daimler Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars in Southeast Asia II Region Sagree Sardien.

It will debut on the official Facebook and YouTube accounts of Mercedes-Benz Philippines at 8 p.m.

Said ANG Chief Operating Officer Frankie Ang in a release, “The new S-Class has undergone the most extensive refinement process in the history of Mercedes-Benz. The brand did to the new S-Class what it does best — putting the customers in the center. It can now be experienced with all the senses — seeing, feeling, hearing, and smelling — while offering impressive innovations in the areas of driver assistance, protection, and interaction.”

The S-Class is now more technologically equipped than ever as a veritable showpiece of cutting-edge features. Mercedes-Benz also reports that the vehicle has physically grown — “with a long bonnet, short overhang, long wheelbase, flowing C-Pillar and balanced rear overhang, the S-Class is designed as a classical sedan with perfect proportions.” It gets 21-inch multi-spoke AMG wheels. The familiar three-pointed star takes its place above the grille.

Mercedes-Benz said it’s about interpreting the design philosophy of “sensual purity” in “its most modern form.” Its so-called Digital Light Headlamps boast a “three-dot design” with more than one million pixels per headlamp for optimum illumination.

Motivating the vehicle is a three-liter, in-line six engine with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Complemented by an EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, it generates 435hp and 520Nm. The company said in a release that this is “more than enough to plow through the streets of the metro, and cruise along on gentle long drives.” The power plant is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission conveniently controlled by a Direct Select gear lever ergonomically located just by the steering wheel. The driver can select from five different driving modes through the Dynamic Select switch. Meanwhile, the Airmatic air suspension system allows the  S-Class to “react sensitively to the unevenness of the roads.”

The S-Class gets seamless door handles which automatically extend when the owner approaches the car, and retracts when the doors are locked. In the rear, the car receives two-piece horizontal taillamps, with 3D-like display, sequential indicator lamps, two visible exhaust tail tips, and a rear diffuser.

The vehicle also features the vaunted the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) which first rolled out in the A-Class sometime ago. Each passenger at the back will be treated to a high-end rear entertainment system and two fully integrated 11.6-inch touch displays with a brilliant graphic quality. The infotainment system finds expression through a Burmester 3D surround sound system with 15 speakers promising a total system output of 710W.

Rear occupants can watch a movie, browse the internet, or simply relax. Touch controls are possible through the MBUX-enabled rear tablet in the armrest; or the occupant can prompt the system by saying “Hey Mercedes.” It can even give the passenger a massage. For added convenience, a refrigerated compartment is located at the center of the armrest.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class also features Active Ambient Lighting which enables each passenger to tailor the illumination on inconspicuous light strips in the instrument panel, which continue along the doors, and into the rear. The German marque said that the S-Class cabin’s design is yacht-inspired — with a large 12.3-inch OLED touchscreen as its centerpiece of the S-Class’ cockpit.

The car can recognize the fingerprint and voice of the driver – and even remember personal settings. The driving experience promises to be much safer and convenient through a slew of driver assistance systems such as the Active Distance Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Parking Assist, and others “that make for a semi-autonomous driving experience for the driver. Everything is about minimalism and ease of use.”

For safety, it gets an intelligent rear seat airbag for frontal impacts, and monitors the vehicle’s surroundings through a new proprietary Pre-Safe Impulse System. Amid the pandemic, the new S-Class levels protection with its whole-cabin air filtration, ionization, and fragrancing which allow passengers to breathe in clean and fragrant air.

The vehicle comes, for now, in a sole S 500 4Matic Long Wheelbase variant, priced at P17.89 million. 

The new S-Class will be available for viewing in all Mercedes-Benz Dealerships at: Mercedes-Benz EDSA-Greenhills (02) 8784-5001/ (0939) 937-2009, Mercedes-Benz Bonifacio Global City (02) 8815-7777/ (0920) 9740-4575, Mercedes-Benz Alabang (02) 8553-6334 / (0905) 435-2840, and Mercedes-Benz Cebu (32) 260 3333/ (0917) 718-2369. Visit the online showroom at www.mercedes-benz.ph for more details.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz Philippines

Also read: Mercedes-Benz aims to go all-electric by 2030