Underneath the bodywork, the S-Class features an AIRMATIC suspension, and enough acronyms to make the best spelling bee’s head go round. Active Park Assist, ESP, PRE Safe, Adaptive Brakes with HOLD function, ASR, Hill Start Assist all combine to make the life of the driver much easier behind the wheel. The S-Class has famously been described as the one car that is virtually “uncrashable.” 70 sensors actively monitor the the road ahead and the driver himself, warning him in case the car in the front brakes too hard or does an inadvertent lane change. If the driver pays no heed to the alerts, the car’s radar mounted upfront will engage the brakes on their own, and tighten up the seat belts in preparation for the impending collision.
By taking the driver and the human error factor out of the equation, Mercedes-Benz has created the safest car in the world, a car that can almost drive itself. What makes it even more significant is that the technologies that we are now witnessing on this flagship will eventually make their way to cheaper cars in the future. It is like a test bed, the cutting edge in what is possible with current technology. Listing all its equipment and features would require more words than you’d possibly care, and it’s no wonder that the car’s owner’s manual is thicker than the King James Bible.
Despite its undisputed status as the best car in the world, we haven’t been big fans of the S-Class’ styling in the past. It looked a bit too nondescript and, do we dare say it, bland for a car of its stature. Not anymore. The new S-Class is truly a grand machine with design that speaks volumes about its sophistication even before you set foot inside. I absolutely adore its new headlamps and front air-dams, and its subtle side creases, although the rear – even with those beautiful LED taillamps – is still a bit too simple for the inner child in me.
Speaking at the launch event, Mercedes-Benz CEO and MD, Mr. Eberhard Kern said that the new S-Class 350 CDI would be manufactured locally, right here in Chakan, Pune. This is the first time that the body for the S-Class will be manufactured here, and is a direct result of the high demand for the S-Class in the country. Currently, the Pune plant manufactures the C-Class, E-Class, and the ML-Class and GL-Class SUVs. Mercedes-Benz is also aiming to double the current production capacity to 20,000 units annually by the end of this year. The plant is also flexible enough to accommodate other models from the Mercedes-Benz line-up if required by future market demand.
Mr. Kern also outlined the green initiatives taken by Mercedes-Benz in a bid to reduce the factory’s carbon footprint. The modern and minimalist looking administrative building recently installed a rooftop solar power plant capable of producing 100 kW of power. Spread over 12000 sq metres, the solar plant will save 150,000 kilo watt hours annually, enough to power a small town with 400 households. Piyush Arora, Senior VP, Operations, added that environment sustainability is a top priority at Mercedes-Benz India and the company is looking at ways in which they can give back to the environment.
The new S-Class goes on sale today for INR 1.07 crore, ex-showroom, Pune and Mumbai.
