"The Biggest Refresh" Arrives January 29
Källenius starts with a brief retrospective on the S-Class. It's presented as the car driven by royals, heads of state, and the elite for more than 50 years. More than 75, depending on how you want to look at it. Then it's time for the new car.
The CarBuzz spies have captured the new S wearing this same camouflage already. But the long lenses and outdoor spots can't show as much detail as a well-lit display and a walk-around with the company's CEO.
Källenius describes the new model as being "the biggest refresh we've ever done in the history of the S-Class." There are 2,700 parts either new or refined, and he calls that more than 50% of the vehicle.
It's a "sneak preview," because of the camo, but we can get a solid look at what's to come. Källenius describes the new light-up star and new grille elements. The new headlights, as well, with the Benz star logo.
"The back seat is the best seat in the car," he says, before a cut to Federer in the back of another prototype. He calls it "the most incredible new S-Class," but he is a paid endorser, after all.
At first glance of the rear seat, there doesn't seem to be much difference. The door panels look familiar, as does the center armrest. Källenius says that Benz has tweaked the ride for comfort and smoothness. It's also quiet, but Källenius doesn't say whether it's quieter than before.
There is a new air suspension technology called iDamping. The new S-Class will send information about the road and the ride to the cloud, letting all the other S-Class sedans know how to respond in advance. Is it over the top? Sure, but it's extremely S-Class-coded.
Källenius takes the time to hype Benz's Manufaktur customization service. Mercedes-Benz has been expanding that program, and he said that the new S-Class can be had "with any color in the world." On the inside, there are also more choices for interior fabrics and hand stitching.
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The Mercedes-Benz CEO ends the preview with a look at the innovation that goes into the car. It's been 140 years since Karl Benz invented the modern car, and though innovation has slowed since then, there's still work to be done.
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This will be the first S-Class to completely incorporate the Mercedes-Benz operating system. Källenius says it's an all-new software stack, but doesn't go into the details. We'll need to wait for January 29 for that.
The bombshell comes at the end. "The S-Class is already ready for L4 [autonomous] driving," Källenius said. "We're running the first pilots on the street already now." That's an interesting evolution considering L3 driver-assists are barely in operation, never mind the legality of using a system where the driver is just along for the ride.
There is plenty more to see, with Mercedes-Benz still hiding the best details of the bodywork. The front seats and dash are also still under wraps. We'll bring you all of that and more on January 29, when Benz kicks off what it's calling 140 years since the invention of the car.
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