2014 Mercedes-Benz S-class: "Effortless Superiority"

The best car in the world? Benz seems to think so.

Daimler hasn’t ever claimed its S-class sedan is "the best car in the world"—that was the prerogative of Rolls-Royce. But by any objective standard, it was the S-class that ruled for decades. This hegemony was seriously challenged in 1986 when BMW introduced the second-generation 7-series, and again in 1989 with the Lexus LS, which bested its contemporary S-class in several areas. Ultimately, Daimler added Maybach to its portfolio, implying that there is, actually, something better than the S-class. Alas, Maybach is history, but Benz has an all-new S-class and, while we’ll reserve final judgment until we drive it, we believe Daimler has every reason to describe its new luxury sedan as effortlessly superior.

Internally referred to as W222—long-wheelbase versions carry a code of V222—the 2014 S-class will be launched this fall with a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8 that produces 455 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. An all-wheel-drive version will follow a few months later, as will the über-high-performance S63 AMG. Next year, two V-12–powered models will be added to the lineup: the S600 and the stupid-powerful S65 AMG. Other markets receive a V-6 hybrid, a V-6 turbo-diesel, and a four-cylinder diesel-hybrid that consumes fuel at a level similar to that of a Toyota Prius. Some of these models could be offered stateside some time down the road, but for now, the focus is on the higher-performance models. The only available transmission is Benz's smooth-shifting seven-speed torque-converter automatic.

For both rear- and all-wheel-drive V-8–powered S550s, Mercedes claims the 0-to-60 sprint will take 4.8 seconds. Top speed is governed at 130 mph, which is 25 mph down on the governor set for European models. No U.S.-market fuel-economy figures are available yet; in Europe, the S550 is rated at an excellent, albeit inflated, 27.4 mpg.

The multi-link Airmatic air suspension has been entirely redesigned, and it can be fitted with a road-sensing system that pre-loads the shocks for the road surface detected. It works at speeds up to 80 mph, and has provided remarkable results in a prototype setup we drove two years ago. The S-class now comes with electro-mechanical steering, a technology we have made peace with on several occasions. But while the chassis will allow for high cornering speeds, the main focuses of the S are luxury and safety.

In fact, the occupants of the S-class will travel in what Mercedes describes as "splendid isolation," guarded from noise, vibration, and other intrusions. The interior—which we sampled a couple of months ago—is equipped with a plethora of comfort and luxury systems, and the options sheet makes that of the old Maybach look rather limited. An energizing hot-stone massage, a fragrance system, or a five-theme interior-illumination system emphasize this sedan's claim to provide more luxury than anyone else in this prestigious segment. For the audio system, Daimler has enlisted the help of Dieter Burmester of Porsche and Bugatti fame. His high-end home stereo systems are well known in the German-speaking world; with the new S-class, this familiarity is likely to spread.

The sumptuous interior comes with a pair of 12.3-inch TFT screens, an unusual two-spoke steering wheel, and a large number of different wood and color themes, including a blue-and-beige combination. The exterior styling is sleeker and somewhat less busy than the outgoing model, although it features a frighteningly massive grille. An AMG package, which we predict will be highly popular in the U.S., adds larger front air intakes and wider sills. For the second time in the history of the S-class, the development focus was on the long-wheelbase version, as it was with the W140, introduced in 1991, where the short-wheelbase variation was added late in the development process.

Mercedes says that its latest and most ambitious vehicle aims at "effortless superiority," a statement that, on paper, we think is quite apt for the new S-class. Whether Daimler can lay claim to “the best car in the world,” well, we’ll have to wait until we drive it.