At Auto Shanghai 2017, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new S-Class for the first time in the Shanghai Expo Center. The world premiere took place under the heading “The best automobile in the world is now even better”. The extensively updated Mercedes-Benz flagship fulfils this claim with a raft of new features such as completely redesigned engines, and with innovations like driver assistance systems with substantially expanded functionality. Around 500 guests attended the official world premiere in China, the world’s largest car market and also the most important market for the S-Class.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S-Class presented in Shanghai opens up a whole new dimension of driving. Its technical highlights include its brand-new engines, including an all-new V8 biturbo gasoline power unit. Mercedes-Benz is also planning a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of around 50 kilometers.
For decades, the S-Class has set the benchmark for safety, comfort, intelligence efficiency and automotive innovation,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The new S-Class builds on its classic virtues and lifts them to a whole new level.”
The vehicle adapts to its occupants’ needs
ENERGIZING comfort control marks the arrival of a world first. It networks a variety of different comfort systems, individually adapting the likes of climate control, ambient lighting and massage or fragrance functions to the mood and needs of the vehicle’s occupants. Moreover, the Mercedes-Benz flagship takes “Intelligent Drive” to a new level. Systems such as the DISTRONIC proximity control and Active Steering Assist now come with new, modified functionalities. ROAD SURFACE SCAN and the CURVE tilting function are further features of the new S-Class in the luxury sedan segment.
“Our new S-Class marks another major step toward autonomous driving,” says Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “For instance, the car’s camera and radar systems have been further developed and now have a range of up to 250 meters. This enables temporary automated driving even off-highway. We are also now using map and navigation data for the first time to calculate driving style.”
“At the same time,” continues Källenius, “We have done everything to maintain our guarantee of maximum driving fun. Our aim was to combine superlative performance with the greatest possible efficiency.”
Official world premiere in the most important market for the S-Class
Mercedes-Benz enjoyed remarkable success on the Chinese market in 2016. In a year-on-year comparison, sales increased by 28 percent to more than 480,000 vehicles. And the company is continuing this successful trend in 2017, with March sales growing by more than 30 percent against the same month last year. This is not the only reason for celebrating the official world premiere of the S-Class in China. “China plays a key role in Mercedes-Benz’s global success. For the S-Class, the market is even more important, with an outstanding customer acceptance. Featured with a wide range of new design and technology, the new S-Class is developed with ‘ China in mind’”, said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China.
