All-New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hits the Road
24 March 1999
All-New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hits the Road; High-Technology Sedan Ups the Ante for Safety, Performance, Comfort MERCEDES-BENZ NORTH AMERICA All-New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Will Set New Standards For Performance, Safety And Luxury The all-new model-year 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will redefine the premium luxury segment by offering new levels of performance, safety, luxury and value. The all-new S-Class is 500 pounds lighter and about three inches shorter than its predecessor, yet its lavishly equipped interior features nearly an inch more rear legroom. Two models will arrive in the U.S. this spring - the S430 with a 275-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 and the S500 with a 302-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and additional standard equipment. Both models ride on a sophisticated electronic air suspension system with adaptive damping. The all-new S-Class introduces the Cockpit Management and Data (COMAND) system, which integrates standard satellite navigation with controls for the standard Bose audio system and optional telephone. (PR NewsFoto) [PH] PHOENIX, AZ USA 03/24/1999
PHOENIX, March 24 -- The model-year 2000 Mercedes-Benz
S-Class premium luxury sedan is arriving at Mercedes-Benz retail centers
across the U.S. The striking design of the all-new S-Class is highlighted by
a coupe-like profile and a unique "face" reminiscent of the company's
oval-headlight models. Although total length is three inches shorter, rear
legroom -- already among the greatest in the industry -- has been increased by
nearly an inch over the previous model.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990324/NYW007
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990324/NYW007-b )
Two V8-powered models are offered: the S430 with a 275-horsepower
4.3-liter V8 at a price of $69,700 and the S500 with a 302-horsepower
5.0-liter V8, priced at $77,850. The new flagship sedan is designed to set
new standards for safety, performance, occupant comfort and value in the
premium luxury class. Making use of a variety of lightweight materials such
as high-strength aluminum and magnesium, the new car is also nearly 500 pounds
lighter than the previous S-Class, providing even better performance and fuel
efficiency.
The leaner, sleeker S-Class features groundbreaking automotive technology
which is likely to lead the way for the rest of the auto industry. For
example, its smart passenger airbag can deploy with partial force in a
low-speed collision and full force at higher speeds. In addition to full
frontal airbags, the new S-Class comes with head-protection curtain airbags
that span each side of the car, as well as a door-mounted side airbag in each
of its four doors.
Although frontal collisions are by far the most common type of accident,
side impacts are more likely to cause serious injury. The curtain airbag
deploys like an air mattress to protect the head and shoulders in a side,
collision, and it works in conjunction with the door-mounted sidebags, which
provide protection for the chest and hip area.
GPS Navigation System Standard
The all-new S-Class will come standard with a satellite-based navigation
system, and its display on the center console is also used for the audio
systems and telephone. This integrated COMAND (Cockpit Management And Data)
system uses fiber optic technology for fast response and can be directed by
voice commands, controls on the steering wheel or buttons around the display
screen.
The steering wheel of the all-new Mercedes S-Class provides the driver
with far more than just a way to steer the car. Four large illuminated rocker
buttons provide an easy and convenient way to control many of the car's
systems and also a method to diagnose any faults that occur.
The S-Class for the new millennium marks the debut of the world's first
smart cruise control system, which can automatically maintain a pre-set
distance behind the car in front with the help of a radar sensor. While the
optional smart cruise control (available in September, 1999) can vary the
accelerator like conventional cruise control, it can also maintain the desired
following distance -- even by applying partial braking automatically if
needed. An LCD diagram in the center of the speedometer graphically depicting
two vehicles shows what's happening.
Even climate control is "smart" on the all-new S-Class: the system can
vary temperature and air flow individually, not only in response to where the
sun is shining but also based on where each occupant is sitting.
TeleAid: Help Is Just A Button Away
The innovative TeleAid system that will debut on the all-new S-Class
offers three distinct kinds of services accessible at the touch of a button.
For emergency help, there's an "SOS" button on the rear-view mirror. Pushing
the SOS button will immediately establish voice contact with Protection One, a
provider contracted by Mercedes-Benz. The Protection One representative can
dispatch local police or other emergency services.
Pressing this button also transmits to Protection One crucial information
about the customer, including the precise location of the vehicle (through the
GPS tracking) and the model of the car and its color (to help emergency
services visually locate the car quickly). Protection One can also dispatch
local police, fire or emergency services if voice contact is not established
(e.g., the customer is unable to respond).
If a collision deploys any airbag, the system automatically establishes
contact with Protection One, relaying all pertinent information. The onboard
transmitter is crash-secure, and has access to redundant antennae. TeleAid
includes two other buttons -- mounted on the center console -- for
non-emergency use. One marked with the symbol of a wrench puts the customer
in contact with the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance. Another marked with
the letter "i" connects the customer with the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance
Center, which can answer customer questions about the car, for example.
A Sedan That Drives Like A Sports Coupe
For the best possible balance of performance and comfort, the chassis of
the millennium S-Class uses fully independent four-link front end five-link
rear suspension with a new type of air suspension incorporating the
Mercedes-Benz adaptive damping system. Rack-and-pinion steering provides a
variable ratio and speed-sensitive power assist -- both for responsive "road
feel" at speed and, at the same time, light steering effort during low-speed
maneuvers such as parking.
Large four-wheel vented, cross-drilled disc brakes are enhanced with
four-channel ABS anti-lock brakes and Brake Assist, which can reduce braking
distances in emergency or "panic" stops. (Brake Assist was the first system
of its kind when it was introduced on many model-year 1998 Mercedes models,
and was made standard on all Mercedes passenger vehicles for model-year 1999.)
In addition, the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) helps to keep the
car going where the driver is steering it and ESP incorporates traction
control as well.
Taking Luxury To A Higher Level
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always been among the roomiest luxury cars
in the world, and the all-new series continues in this tradition. Despite the
reduced length, width and height of the a11-new S-Class relative to its
predecessor, interior room and comfort remains at segment-leading levels.
Rear legroom, in fact, has been increased by 7/10-inch.
The luxury treatment starts as you enter the car. Like its predecessor,
the all-new S-Class comes equipped as standard with hydraulic door-closing
assists and a trunk-closing assist.
The overall design theme of the S-Class interior conveys luxurious warmth,
from its standard full leather upholstery to the way the instrument panel
flows into the door panels. The design goal was to reduce driving stress as
much as technology and good design sense would allow. Although the focus is
on function and comfort, the design is meant to please the eyes, too. Genuine
wood trim is standard -- burl walnut on the S500 and eucalyptus for the S430.
The S500 interior notches up the luxurious feel with exclusive Nappa leather
upholstery.
The previous S-Class introduced 12-way power front seats that could
actually vary the length of the seat cushion, among other adjustments. The
all-new S-Class seats offer 14-way adjustment, plus an innovative new head
restraint design that can function as a pillow for maximum comfort. The seats
feature standard "multicontour" power adjustments, which adjusts lumbar
support.
A special Climate Comfort ventilated seat available on the S500 model
circulates air through the seat cushion to draw off perspiration in hot
weather. The climate seat also features an "Active Lumbar" mode in which air
chambers built into the seatback can be programmed to breathe -- to inflate
and deflate fully about twice each minute. This slight movement has proven to
be an effective orthopedic way to relax the spine and back muscles.
The previous Mercedes-Benz S-Class elevated the quality of sound available
in a car with its innovative Bose Beta sound system. In the all-new S-Class,
the Bose Beta II sound system is designed to set the standard for sound
clarity and soundstage positioning in a passenger vehicle. Digital signal
processing allows the driver to select different soundstage settings to
optimize the sound for the number of occupants on board and the listening
program. From a driver in the car alone listening to talk radio to a full car
listening to symphonic or vocal music, there is a setting to make the
listening experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Mercedes-Benz retail centers are creating an even more personalized
delivery process symbolized by their customizing of the COMAND system to
include security system preferences, digital maps for future travel
destinations and even presets for favorite radio stations.