For the completeness of the interactions with the driver and passengers, it is the flagship of the four senses - sight, touch, hearing and smell - but also of the five stars, as are the large ultra-comfortable hotels.
The Mercedes S-Class has always been synonymous with well-displayed luxury, (superior) quality of life on board and technical perfection.
Tested by ANSA Motori in very different situations with respect to use as a representative car - with chauffeur behind the wheel and VIPs on duty on the rear sofa - the S500 4Matic, however, also proves to be a sedan capable of flashes of sportiness, great road skills and incredibly of low consumption.
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Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic
And despite the length of 5 meters and 259 meters, it is easily controlled and can be led in total relaxation even in the most convulsive traffic.
Under the insignia of the Three-pointed Star, which proudly towers over the bonnet, Mercedes S500 4Matic is therefore not only a perfect ambassador of the know-how of the Stuttgart engineers but also a car that adds a fifth sense, that of the pleasure of controlling. a mechanical means that is only apparently complex, and above all to perceive - through the reactions on the road and even the accelerator pedal - the 'ancient' and true taste of a 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine.
The power of 435 HP delivered by the 6-cylinder is 'energized' by that of the hybrid section, another 22 HP, while the most important contribution of the electric car concerns the torque, given that another 250 are added to the 520 Nm of the 6-cylinder. An ensemble that ensures a 0-100 sprint in 5.1 seconds, a self-limited maximum speed of 250 km / h and above all a smoothness of operation - in almost total silence - perfectly in line with the spirit of this lounge on large wheels.
Approved for consumption between 9.5 and 8 liters per 100 km, the Mercedes S500 4Matic is able to amaze when those who sit behind the wheel stay 'light' on the accelerator and make the most of the opportunities offered by the hybrid system, including coasting. moving at high speeds even with the heat engine off, using only the momentum.
It goes without saying that in this model - which is the showcase of what is best offered by the Three-pointed Star - there are high-tech solutions of the highest level, which optimize both driving dynamics and safety. Thanks to the rear axle steering up to 10 degrees, for example, the S500 moves around town with the same agility as a compact car and the turning circle is also reduced by 2 meters.
Thanks to E-Active Body Control, the hydraulic system produces dynamic forces that overlap those of the pneumatic springs and actively support and cushion the bodywork. The result is the Mercedes S500 4Matic is practically insensitive to longitudinal and transverse acceleration or when driving on rough roads, a sort of 'flying carpet' that moves silently even in difficult conditions.
The Pre-Safe Impulse Side, on the other hand, is able, in the event of an imminent side impact, to lift slightly (maximum 80 millimeters) from the ground just before the collision.
Through the side radar sensors it is possible to detect and promptly track a potential side impact. As a result, the doors are less stressed, since the side members absorb most of the impact energy as a result of the higher position of the body.
Also present is the second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which again represents a milestone in its role as an interface between driver, passengers and cars. The new 3D driver display makes it possible for the first time to grasp the environment in three dimensions.
Using cameras housed in the control group on the roof lining and learning algorithms, the MBUX assistant can interpret the commands given with head direction, hand movements and body language and react by activating the related commands. vehicle functions. If, for example, the driver looks behind him in the direction of the rear window, the MBUX assistant automatically opens the sun blind.
Also absolutely innovative are the Digital Light projectors which consist of a module equipped with three extremely bright LEDs, in which the light is broken down and directed with the help of 1.3 million micro-mirrors. In each car the resolution is higher than 2.6 million pixels.
The S-Class, which is defined by many as the 'best car in the world', is presented on the Italian market in the Business, Premium and Premium Plus trim levels, with prices starting at 114,128 euros for the S 350 d Business.
The S500 4Matic Mild hybrid Business Plus subject of our test instead comes to 158,453 euros.
