BUSINESS: The back seat offers business class, an important factor for, among other things, the Chinese market. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
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- According to an overview from JATO Dynamics, Mercedes sold more S-Classes than the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 in the first half of 2020. But all were beaten by the Tesla Model S.
Although sales forecasts for all car brands disappeared as soon as the pandemic spread, Tesla was able to list 8,600 Model Ss sold in the US, compared to 4,183 Mercedes S. In analyzes of surveys conducted by JATO Dynamics, it emerged that many customers considered Tesla to be leading the way. the technological development in this segment.
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SMALLER RADIUS: With steering on the rear axle, it must be possible to reduce the turning radius by up to two meters. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
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During the presentation of the next generation S-Class, which will have model number V223, the CEO of the company Ola Källenius stated that «S-Class is the brand’s icon. It is the world’s best-selling luxury sedan, and with the latest generation we will be able to offer more innovation, safety, comfort and quality than ever before. “
It is clear that they aim to regain space as a technology leader, with the introduction of 50 different electronic systems.
Light, camera, action
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3D: Mercedes promises even better graphics in the instrument panel, with real 3D effect without having to wear the slightly tiring glasses from the cinema. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
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For those who like to press “Select all” in the list of accessories, the Mercedes S-Class should be able to offer close follow-up of people on board. According to the manufacturer, the ceiling camera monitors what you are doing, and analyzes how you move. If you extend your arm towards a control, it should understand what you intend to press and offer the most relevant options. If it detects a child who is not restrained, the driver is notified of the potential danger before the trip starts.
With the large ambient light package, or “ambient light”, the driver assistance systems can alert more efficiently, by flashing orange or red from different angles. And should the accident first be out, Mercedes describes how the car can be raised on the suspension just before the collision, so that the forces are directed down towards the structure in the floor.
Head-up display is well known, but in the new S-Class it will be more active, and show the way by projecting directional arrows down on the road. The system should also be able to collect information from other cars further down the road, and display symbols for road work or animals in the roadway.
Blind zone warning has apparently also been extended to apply to cyclists who pass when the car is parked. If you are about to open the door as a person is about to cycle past, the door will flash red.
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Newer phones can be unlocked by holding them in front of the correct face, and Mercedes announces that the same technology will now be used to make driver switching easier. Camera and fingerprint readers should recognize who is grabbing the steering wheel, and adjust the seat, air conditioning, navigation, music, massage and a variety of other parameters according to each person’s preference. Ten different massage programs are conveyed through the seats of four dedicated engines, and it can certainly be tempting to untie some stress knots along the highway.
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EXERCISE: Luckily, puppets are used in front of living people to test out the driver assistance systems. Here the car exercises on the emergency brake. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
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Some may want to take the opportunity to go through your inbox or social media as well. The UN Economic Commission for Europe has worked to establish a legal framework for autonomous vehicles, and announces that it will be possible to use level three systems within the EU from the first of January 2021.
This is one of the areas where Mercedes envisages winning back customers from Tesla. The system Tesla calls Autopilot is classified as level two, which means that the driver of the car must be ready to take control at any time. Mercedes introduces the latest version of Drive Pilot, which will have level three functionality. The press release from Mercedes describes how the car itself will be able to follow the queue on motorways with physical middle sections, and that the driver can concentrate on other activities.
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LONG LINES: The term “S” was first used in 1972, but the history goes back much further. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
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Extra long
The Mercedes S-Class is a long car, and according to figures from the manufacturer, nine out of ten customers chose the longest version of the previous generation. By means of steering on the rear axle, it must be possible to reduce the turning radius by up to two meters.
On the outside, there is no design revolution, it’s more like seeing the previous edition cut out of a bar of soap and used a couple of times in the shower.
Inside, Mercedes can tell that they have run the leather in the seats through a machine with 16,000 needles to make all the holes. The heating and ventilation system is of course so intelligent that it must soon have its own passport, and most things can be controlled from the phone. A plug-in hybrid version will probably be popular in this country, with an electric range of up to 100 kilometers. In any case, there will be no shortage of technology in the fight against Tesla, but it remains to be seen how everything works along the way. Finansavisen Motor will return with impressions from test driving a little later this autumn.
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