The world?s most popular luxury car is here in India. Just five days after its launch, FE gets to test drive Mercedes-Benz?s flagship S-Class 500 L. One drive of the S500 ensures you forget the car?s size?it reaches 62 mph in just six seconds and only stops pulling when it hits the top speed of 155 mph.
S-Class 500 L, the largest sedan in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, offers generous cabin space and ample legroom to its occupants. State-of-the-art technology has been used in the engineering of this vehicle. Backed by a powerful engine, killer looks and high-tech features, Mercedes-Benz S-Class astounds everyone.
The S500 impresses the driver the most. Air-suspension makes the ride silky-smooth, and for all its weight and width, it corners well, thanks to its torque vectoring brake system that reduces understeer by braking the inner rear wheel in bends.
The engine is near-silent at cruising speeds, but if you bury the throttle, the seven-speed auto kicks down quickly to bring the V8 engine roaring to life, making overtaking is effortless. The S500?s high running costs mean the S350 CDI diesel will be a better bet. However, compared to models such as the Bentley Flying Spur, it offers relatively decent value for money. The model comes at a price tag of Rs 95 lakh (ex-showroom).
Essential equipment on all models is leather upholstery, metallic paint, electrically adjusted front seats, satellite navigation and voice command.
The S-class air suspension system endows the car with crisp handling and comfort. The V8 engine of the car offers the sharpest handling, thanks to the relative lightness of its motors.
The large, well-lit dials are among the nicest around, and after familiarisation, the switchgear layout works well.
One highlight is Spliview, the centre console display that allows the driver to use the sat-nav while the front-seat passenger can watch a movie! There are also dozens of new and revised driver aids, such as Disctronic Plus active cruise control, which keeps you at a set distance from the car in front, and Attention Assist, which monitors your driving for signs of drowsiness.
The exterior tweaks?limited to a sharper grille, exhausts incorporated into the rear bumper and LED lights?won?t get much attention. Stealth is the name of the game here, and it?s inside where the S-Class delivers.
Swathed in leather and wood, the cabin rivals most living rooms for comfort. And, as usual, Mercedes has managed to cram in plenty of high-tech kits in this model, too.