Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, the authorized distributors of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, today launched the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The launch was organised at Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles showroom in the attendance of Senior management of NBK Holding including Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations Director – Auto, Sheikh Khalid Bin Nawaf Al Thani, along with senior members of the company, VIP Guests, business leaders and representatives of the media and corporate partners in Qatar.
Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations Director – Auto, NBK Holding, said: “We are proud to offer the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as we continue to provide the latest Mercedes-Benz models for our discerning clientele. Our commitment to Qatar and its people continues despite the recent challenges, and our business and services continue as usual as we work hard to maintain our growth plans.
“The S-Class is top of Mercedes-Benz’s range of cars with the new specifications, technology, comfort and luxury; the new model truly reflects the essence of our motto ‘The Best or Nothing.’ We are proud that Qatar will be one of the first markets in the world launching the new S-Class. This again proves the trust and confidence in our business and in our country.”
The new flagship model has been comprehensively modernised and is confirming its role as a technological trailblazer with new engines and enhanced driving assistance systems. The top-of-the-range model of Mercedes-Benz takes another big step towards autonomous driving and elevates Intelligent Drive to the next level. It is the undisputed leader in the premium segment regarding comfort and wellness, setting new standards in the interior. Its precise attention to detail is seen within every corner of the car, from the wood-leather steering wheel to the crystal-look tail lamps.
The new S-Class offers a new level of comfort for the driver and passengers. Thanks to the world-first ENERGIZING comfort control feature, the driver and passengers can now link various comfort systems such as climate control and massage functions. The new feature also allows customers to configure specific wellness set-ups to suit their mood and enhance physical comfort and performance on the road.
Powertrain: new engines with landmark technology
The new Mercedes-Benz S 560 boasts a new V-8 engine that comes to the starting line with 345 kW (469 hp) and 700 Nm. The new bi-turbo engine is among the most economical V-8 petrol engines in the world, and consumes about ten percent less fuel than its predecessor. To lower fuel consumption, four cylinders of the new V-8 are simultaneously deactivated under partial load with the help of the CAMTRONIC valve-lift adjustment system. This reduces gas-cycle losses and enhances the overall efficiency of the four firing cylinders by shifting the operating point towards higher loads. The turbochargers positioned in the V of the cylinder banks represent another special feature.
Intelligent Drive: the next step in driving assistance systems
Over ten years ago, innovations that began with PRE-SAFE® and developed into DISTRONIC PLUS led to new dimensions in driving. With the previous S-Class, comfort and safety blended into one, which Mercedes-Benz referred to as "Intelligent Drive". Now, the new S-Class adds an additional layer of excellence by incorporating and enhancing a host of innovative driving assistance systems initially introduced in the previous model. These include:
The Active Steer Assist, which has been noticeably improved across its entire performance range, results in markedly enhanced customer benefits.
The Active Breaking Assist, which detects end-of-tailback situations without space for evasive action, triggers a warning as well as automatic emergency stopping when required.
The Evasive Steering Assist supports the driver in taking evasive action when pedestrians are detected in the danger zone in front of the vehicle.
With PRE-SAFE Sound, a short interference signal is triggered ahead of any collisions expected to produce a loud crash, in order to protect the eardrum and inner ear from high acoustic pressures.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class made a technological statement of superiority in 2013 with ROAD SURFACE SCAN. The system detects bumps ahead of the vehicle and adjusts the ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension accordingly. In the new S-Class this suspension control is further improved. The stereo camera of the system now scans the road even more thoroughly, even in dusk and at speeds up to 180 km/h.
Another comfort enhancement is CURVE, the curve-tilting function available in the S-Class sedan for the first time. The body tilts to the inside of the turn by up to 2.65 degrees and thereby reduces the centrifugal forces perceived by the passengers.
Exclusive exterior design
Modern luxury in the new S-Class is affirmed with the highest quality materials and uncompromising workmanship. All models are fitted with a new radiator grille: the versions with six and eight-cylinder engines sport three twin louvres as well as vertical strips with a high-gloss black finish. The V-12 model variants are fitted with additional chrome-finish vertical strips in the radiator grille. Seven new light-alloy wheels with diameters between 17 and 20 inches have been introduced on the new model.
MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and ULTRA RANGE High Beam turn night into day. The ULTRA RANGE main beams produce the maximum light intensity permitted by law, which results in the brightness of the main beams remaining above the reference value of 1 lux over a distance of more than 650 metres. For the driver, this means a clear improvement of the already excellent lighting performance of current MULTIBEAM LED systems. The Adaptive High-Beam Assist Plus permanently activates the main beams without dazzling surrounding traffic.
In conjunction with the new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, the S-Class features three distinctive torches of light as an exclusive design element. The front bumper with pronounced air intakes and sporty looks is also new.
Authentic materials and meticulous detail design
Another Mercedes-Benz hallmark is the high-quality look and feel created with the meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship in the interior of the new S-Class. These include open-pore woods as well as leather-trimmed doors and dashboard.
The material and colour concept has also been carefully composed, and features a wide range of brown tones, including new colour combinations such as magma grey/espresso brown or mahogany brown/silk beige.
World-first: wellness while driving
The ENERGIZING comfort control is a world-first entering series production and can be experienced in all seats. This optional feature links various comfort systems in the vehicle together. It systematically uses the functions of the climate control system (including fragrancing) and the seats (heater, ventilation, massage), the panel heating as well as lighting and musical atmospheres, and enables a specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer. This enhances the physical comfort and performance while driving and during a break.
The S-Class GCC models come with panoramic sunroof as standard, as well as a Sun Protection Package to protect passengers from direct sunlight and reduce the interior temperature of the car. Additionally, memory front seats come as standard in the GCC models, automatically adjusting the driver’s seat to their preferred setting.
Wireless charging of smartphones
Mobile phones can be charged wirelessly and without a telephone holder. Wireless charging works with all mobile devices that support or can be retrofitted to support the Qi standard. The charging pad is integrated into the stowage compartment at the front of the centre console. Wireless charging is optionally also available in the centre console in the rear.
Front and rear passengers now have more text messaging options. They can receive, send, forward and use voice-to-text to dictate text messages. Telephone numbers from text messages and embedded URLs can be used for further actions. The messages are also displayed as pop-ups on the right half of the wide-screen cockpit.
The Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound system with an output of 1520 watts has been expanded with a speaker in the overhead control panel and two speakers in the sides.
All new S-Class models are fitted as standard with the KEYLESS start function. This also marks the introduction of the new attractive generation of keys, with a high-gloss black or high-gloss white design and different ornamental frames.
Control and display concept with widescreen cockpit and new generation of steering wheels
The interior of the new S-Class is characterised by two new high-resolution displays, each with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches. Visually, the two displays under one shared glass cover blend into a widescreen cockpit, and as a central element emphasise the horizontal orientation of the interior design.
Like the instrument cluster, this widescreen cockpit contains a large display with virtual instruments in the direct field of vision of the driver as well as a central display above the centre console. Because the cockpit is fully digital, the driver can choose from three different display styles ("Classic", "Sporty" and "Progressive”) and also configure the information and views relevant to them. The Mercedes-Benz parking package and 360-degree camera come as standard in the GCC models, giving drivers full view of the car’s surroundings.
The new S-Class has touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel that respond to swiping motions in the same manner as a smartphone. The driver can use the steering wheel controls to operate DISTRONIC cruise operation and control the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The infotainment system can be also operated via the touchpad controller in the centre console and by LINGUATRONIC voice control.