Exterior-wise, the updated S-Class remains largely unchanged from the previous model, but it’s under the bonnet where you’ll find most of the major improvements. Don’t worry about test-driving the S 350 BlueEFFICIENCY petrol version. What you want is the S 350 BlueTEC with 620Nm and 190kW, and you’ll never know you’re driving a diesel. As a historic comparison, the first diesel passenger car was released by Mercedes-Benz in 1936 as the 260D. It had a displacement of 2.6 litres and developed a whopping 33kW of power. How times have changed. The S-Class might be the super luxury flagship in the Benz model range, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a driver’s car. The moment you come across the first stretch of windy road, do yourself a favour. Dial up the ‘Sport’ setting for higher revs before each shift point, and then tap the little button with the picture of the damper on it, for more air in the suspension, and less rebound. Mind you, that slightly more aggressive set up will still feel like a comfortable ride, but the car feels more planted and invites a more spirited driving style through those bendy bits.
Power delivery is silky smooth too, and unless you have good reason to stand hard on the throttle, there is very little turbo lag, and it all feels and sounds like petrol power. 7,122 less than its petrol powered sibling the S 350 Blue EFFICIENCY, due entirely to the car meeting the 7.0L/100km or below consumption criteria. The ‘green’ halo around this car doesn’t stop there either, that’s where the term BlueTEC comes into play. The EU6 badge of honour bestowed upon this car relates to its ability to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. In the S 350 BlueTEC, a synthetic substance called AdBlue (urea solution) is sprayed into the exhaust flow of the car, which introduces ammonia into the exhaust and converts most of these oxides into harmless nitrogen and water droplets. Of course, owners will have the AdBlue reservoir topped up at every service interval, which in this case, is every 20,000 kilometres.
If you still not sold on BlueTEC diesel power, but you’re a corporate citizen with a conscience, then you probably won’t mind 225kW and 370Nm of BlueEFFICIENCY under your right foot. Although the all-new 60-degree V6 engine is naturally aspirated, its modular design allows for a turbocharger, should that be considered at some later stage. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of punch in the BlueEFFICIENCY car as the 0-100km/h-sprint time suggests, but in-gear acceleration feels far less substantial than the diesel variant. That said the new layout of this engine means extra silky smooth power delivery. This V6 power plant, like all petrol engines currently used in the Mercedes-Benz stable, is EU5 complaint. These various efficiencies are a result of Mercedes-Benz’s in-house 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed auto transmission and the deployment of third-generation direct petrol injection. This is a particularly smooth shifting gearbox that will quickly find its way to seventh gear, in order to achieve the best possible fuel consumption outcome. Active safety systems have been beefed up across the S-Class range too with the introduction of ‘Active Lane Keeping Assist’ and ‘Active Blind Spot Assist’ as standard fitment. S-Class also introduces a new traffic management service, which is powered by SUNA in Australia and provides live traffic updates via the car’s GPS system. Apart from the multiple options packages available throughout the S-Class line up, the new 1200W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG audio system with 15 loudspeakers is also available.
This eliminates the otherwise complicated and usually time-consuming assembly process including latching and closing. Dirty hands are also a thing of the past, because the cable with its ergonomic hand grip is at the upper left, under a separate cover on the bumper. This means that it is protected from dirt when the tailgate is closed, and it is inaccessible to unauthorised persons. The mechanism operates so smoothly that just a small push with the foot is enough to latch the system securely. A green LED lights up in the hand grip as soon as the towbar has been securely latched in place. The panoramic sunroof (PSD) on the Volkswagen Tiguan has a roof cutout area of laminated glass that is 300 percent larger than that of a conventional Golf sunroof. The aerodynamically and acoustically optimised PSD consists of one glass segment for opening and one permanently fixed rear glass segment. The roof offers many adjustment and opening options, which are controlled by ergonomic switches in the roofliner. The panoramic sunroof system has pinch protection and an electrically operated sunshade that covers the entire glass area.
