Mercedes-Benz reveals new S-Class interior

[Wretched]

The ultimate in Mercedes-Benz luxury will have a perfumed interior, twin 12.3-inch screens, mood lighting, an advanced massaging function - and 156 buttons and switches.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior its next-generation S-Class in a series of darkly lit photographs ahead of a planned unveiling of the whole car on May 15.

The cabin of the flagship Mercedes-Benz limousine has been comprehensively redesigned and comes with added levels of luxury, comfort, quietness, accommodation and connectivity.

It also has 156 buttons, with 12 on the steering wheel and 30 in the front doors.
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Key among developments with the new S-Class is a new wrap around dashboard with horizontal architecture and seven different tones of ambient lighting are used to accentuate visual width. The leather lined fascia features metal switches and solid aluminum controls together with a selection of wooden trims.

Two high resolution monitors, each with a diagonal width of 12.3 inches and forming part of a free standing panel within the dashboard, perform the function of the previous instrument binnacle and infotainment systems.

The centerpiece is a new fifth-generation Comand system featuring an Intel Atom processor similar to that used by contemporary laptop computers together with all the latest in Google map assisted navigation.

Bucking the trend towards touch screen operation, the major controls for the Comand system are once again based around a rotary dial positioned between the driver and passenger seats – as are optional monitors for the rear seats. The new system supports various app interfaces, but only with Apple’s iOs operating system. Support for Android and Blackberry based systems is under development but won’t available at the time of the S-class’s Australian introduction late in 2013.

The new S-Class forgoes the Bang and Olufsen sound system of the current model for a new arrangement developed in partnership with Burmester, a German audio brand used in newer models from Porsche. In top of the line form, it boasts 1500 watts and comes with 24 speakers and a so-called 3D sound effect.

Mercedes-Benz is claiming a first for the S-Class with a so-called “active perfuming system”. It uses an ionisation function to first cleanse the air before perfume atomisation in five minute on/five minute off cycles to subtly alter the smell of the interior. It comes with the choice of four scents or, as Mercedes-Benz, prefers "moods": freeside, sports, downtown and nightlife.

Officials from the German car maker have divulged to Drive that development of the S-Class interior was focused primarily on the long wheelbase model in light of the decision to discontinue its under achieving Maybach subsidiary.

As a result, the new car will feature optional reclining rear seats that offer up to 43.5 degrees of back rest adjustment, a new massage system with 14 separate air cushions in the back rest offering six different programs, a so-called warmth package with door panels as well as active seat ventilation in which the rotational direction of the fans used to blow cooling air through the seat can be reversed for added comfort.

In a move claimed to bring record levels of noise suppression, the new S-Class uses 150 individual sound isolation components. The body structure of the new luxury sedan is also claimed to be 14 per cent stiffer in torsional rigidity, 11 per cent stiffer in lateral bending rigidity and 17 per cent stiffer in vertical bending rigidity.

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class: the button count

12 steering wheel

23 driver’s door

13 passenger door

19 dashboard

3 monitor panel (instruments and infortainment)

4 vent buttons dashboard

3 rear view mirror

10 in the headlining

15 centre console (between driver and front seat passenger), including rotary dial

16 numeric pad (under hand rest)

15 rear right passenger door

15 rear left passenger door

9 rear centre console

2 vent buttons rear centre console

3 rear drink holder console

4 in rear headlining (2 each side with roof mounted handles for lighting)

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...319-2gbvm.html

[tex]

Hopefuly that photograph is full of fail, and it is much nicer looking in real life.

It looks very confused, ultra modern tech poorly intergrated into retro and old fashioned styling. Wood grain on the ashtray? Seriously?

Im sure it is classier in real life.

[V3RSAC3]

I like it, it won't be the final release though.

[Mighty Reds]

Its a pretty average pictures, apart from the 2 big screens it doesn't really show much at all.

[Rodge]

A perfume diffusser, well that seals the deal then, I must update ASAP
Seriously, once bitten twice shy with the way they rip you off for these cars down under.

[csv8]

and if something goes wrong ??? definetly a buy sell before warranty expires !!!

[Road_Warrior]

Picard to Enterprise, two to beam up.

[Mr Hardware]

[Whitey-AMG]

“active perfuming system”.

Meh.....I get that for free in my GT after a tin of beans...........

[ryeman]

So I guess they no longer believe in their saying .." Less is More "

[tranquilized]

I had to check the date to make sure it wasn't April already...

The instrument cluster looks like a digital version of what one might find in a 1940's era army jeep...

The rest isn't too bad though.

[Chopped]

The instrument cluster is fully digital so the display could be changed to whatever style you like

[Mighty Reds]

All the tech goodies mixed with the wood inserts don't gel in my opinion.
Its like having a 60 inch tv with wood veneer trim.

[mcnews]

love wood in an interior

[Mighty Reds]

Originally Posted by mcnews

love wood in an interior

[Resurrection]

I do not understand why luxury cars need wood inside the cabin. In the 21st century, luxury is carbon fibre, kevlar and other modern materials, not wood. Wood does not gel well with plastic.

[Nikked]

I think "Class" is the worng word to have after the "s" in this case.


The dash reminds me of a cheesey 80's concept car where TV's were all the rage, so concepts world over just had random TV's plonked in the dash for the gauges displays etc...

That, or Xzibit got to it with the west coast crew *shakes head....

[ryeman]

Is this 'Pimp My Ride'?

[2011G6E]

Ladies and gentlemen...I show you what your ordinary family car will be equipped with in ten years time.

The old old saying is dead true...look at a current S Clas Benz and look at the safety and convenience features, and that's what will be "standard" in other makes in ten years time.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Chopped

image

The instrument cluster is fully digital so the display could be changed to whatever style you like

I think they've lost the plot. The air vents in particular look bloody awful and the centre dash area is so busy looking with its styling its almost Gosh.

Here's the current model complete with tasteful air vents. Note all the stainless steel controls and tasteful amount of real burr walnut trim


The initial external spy shots I've seen show it being more angular than the current model.
As for the steering wheel in the new model...you have got to be kidding me...

[b2tf]

The dials do nothing for me, they look very 'fake'.

[Peuty]

That's because they are.

In saying that, if the display is anything like the RR Vogue, they will look very pretty in real life.

[tranquilized]

The XJ Jag has a digital instrument cluster as well, but it all looks so much more integrated and.... better in every way.

Shouldn't be surprised, Bend haven't come up with a good looking car inside or out for a long time now.

[NX74205]

I guess I'm the only one who likes this interior. Yes, air vents are retro, but the awesome big screens and mood lighting look futuristic.

Originally Posted by ryeman

So I guess they no longer believe in their saying .." Less is More "

Nope. And I'm glad they don't. The S-Class is supposed to be the pinnacle in luxury motoring. It should have every conceivable comfort and convenience feature included as standard. It should also be ground breaking - a lot of features we take for granted now first appeared in an S-Class.

Originally Posted by Resurrection

I do not understand why luxury cars need wood inside the cabin. In the 21st century, luxury is carbon fibre, kevlar and other modern materials, not wood. Wood does not gel well with plastic.

To an extent I agree, but a tasteful amount of woodgrain trim on the interior looks magnificent to me. I love it.

I don't believe the S-Class has gone overboard with the woodgrain trim either. It looks classy and elegant.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by NX74205

I guess I'm the only one who likes this interior. Yes, air vents are retro, but the awesome big screens and mood lighting look futuristic.

Nope. And I'm glad they don't. The S-Class is supposed to be the pinnacle in luxury motoring. It should have every conceivable comfort and convenience feature included as standard. It should also be ground breaking - a lot of features we take for granted now first appeared in an S-Class.

To an extent I agree, but a tasteful amount of woodgrain trim on the interior looks magnificent to me. I love it.

I don't believe the S-Class has gone overboard with the woodgrain trim either. It looks classy and elegant.

nope not the only one, i like the interior it oozes quality and class. Something that is expected from the S Class.
I also agree, the S-Class is the pinnacle of technology in road going luxury.
I can't wait to see it.

[NX74205]

Exterior pics:





More pics here: http://www.worldcarfans.com/11303185...tely-uncovered

[Rodge]

Exterior looks better than the current generation. Reserve judgement on the interior.

[Wretched]

i like the current car and i am liking the new one so far.
Looks far more classier inside and out than the current 7 series.
The A8 looks a little too "Audi" on the outside but wins on the interior.

[Mighty Reds]

Exterior looks very Maybach-ish to me albeit not as in your face.

[Rodge]

Exterior looks like its spent some serious time in the wind tunnell, which isn't a bad thing these days and it will be interesting to see how much it beats the current generation's 0.26 drag coefficient.