When it comes to ‘firsts’ in the car world, few cars have more than the Mercedes S-Class.
The German firm’s flagship model has led the way for technology and safety for some time – in fact it’s often referred to as the ‘best car in the world’ – and now Mercedes is readying its seventh-generation S-Class ahead of an imminent debut.
Teased in a number of official shots where it’s still heavily camouflaged, the design isn’t set to dramatically alter, but it’s the tech that’s outlined that will be the showstopping part.
Starting with safety, the new S-Class will be the first car to feature airbags in the front seats that can protect occupants in the rear seats, while a neat new touch is seat belts that light up. It also debuts a system that can automatically raise the suspension if it detects a crash from the side, which means the impact will hit the lower area of the car, which is the stronger part.
It also comes with a system that stops you opening the door if a car or cyclist is driving past, while the park assist function has been improved as well. A new adaptive suspension configuration features with the aim of offering an even smoother ride, and it can monitor the driving situation 1,000 times per second, and even tilt the suspension for a corner to make the drive as smooth as possible.
The new S-Class also debuts rear wheel steering, which improves both low-speed manoeuvring ability and agility. This optional system reduces the turning circle by two metres – meaning the S-Class can have a turning circle of less than 11 metres. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly the same as a Volkswagen Golf hatchback.
Dr Uwe Ernstberger, head of S- and C-Class models at Mercedes, said: “The new generation will once again set the pace in the automotive industry: the S-Class has trailblazing innovations in every area, from safety and comfort to efficiency.”
The new Mercedes S-Class is set to be unveiled in September, and arrive in the UK at the start of 2021.
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