Yahoo Autos The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gets Stunning New Looks and Standard Hybrid Tech
After months of teasers and spy shots, Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled its new 2021 S-Class sedan. Available with either a turbo straight-six or a twin-turbo V-8, it gets a totally new design, standard mild-hybrid 48-volt technology, and a slew of clever tech features to ensure an unmatched luxury driving experience.
The new S-Class adopts a similar fascia to the one found on the current E-Class. The headlamp clusters have an aggressive shape, leading into a more angular grille and sculpted bumper air inlets. The car's rear end has been totally revised, now sharing its design theme with the CLS four-door coupe's tail end. It's meaner and more purposeful than before. We like it.
Buyers will have two trims to choose from at launch: the S500 and the S580. The S500 uses the company's familiar 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, rated at 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S580 gets a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to an integrated starter generator (ISV), which can add an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque for short periods of time. Both cars send power to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.
The real story with the new S-Class, is, of course, the interior. It's been completely revamped, with a futuristic multi-screen digital dashboard setup. The instrument cluster screen measures 12.3 inches, while the main center OLED display touchscreen measures 12.8 inches. Controlling everything is the latest generation of the company's MBUX infotainment system, which uses artificial intelligence to deliver an intuitive user experience. It can be operated via voice control, the touchscreens, or using the new-generation Mercedes steering wheel, which uses touch-capacitive buttons in place of traditional items.
Other interior highlights include an "augmented reality" head-up display that projects images for things like navigation in the driver's field of vision, an available "3D" instrument cluster that enhances warnings, functions, and assistance systems, with 3D effects, and rear-axle steering, which can reduce turning radius by up to seven feet. Also available is a "4D" surround sound system by Burmeister that packs no less than 30 speakers, producing a total of 1750 watts. There's even a built-in toll gate transponder that, when set up properly, works with all major toll roads in the U.S., and even some airport parking structures.
Being a high-end Mercedes, there's no shortage of passive and active safety systems. Stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, cross-traffic warning, active braking assist, blind spot warning, and lane-keeping assist are just a few of the systems you'll experience. Additionally, an innovative rear-facing-passenger airbag is available as an option.
Mercedes has yet to release pricing, but we expect it to start just under $100,000. Deliveries will begin in the first half of 2021.
Are you a fan of the new S-Class's design? Would you take it over the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, or Porsche Panamera? Let us know in the comments.
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