More significant changes were made to the model lineup, with the introduction of a new entry-level S450 that has a starting price around $90,000. That’s roughly $10,000 less than the new S560, which replaces the previous S550. Under the hood of the S450 is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 362 horsepower, while the S560 get a new twin-turbo V8 that’s good for 463 hp.
On the inside, the dashboard is now dominated by a single pane of glass that houses the virtual instrument panel and infotainment display, both of which can now be operated by touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel. Also on the steering wheel are the cruise control buttons instead of the less intuitive stalk that used to be customary on all Mercedes vehicles. A new Energizing Comfort feature combines several systems to create what Mercedes calls a “mood-enhancing atmosphere.” On the technology front, a new Intelligent Drive system nudges Mercedes-Benz closer to the automated driving frontier, while a curve-tilting suspension feature gives the S-Class an even more poised attitude when cornering.
High Expectations
Besides the new single-glass dashboard, the S-Class interior is essentially the same as before, and that’s a good thing. The cabin is almost completely bathed in leather, and anything that isn’t leather-wrapped is made of premium materials that would impress even the toughest critics. To say that it’s comfortable would be an understatement on par with stating that a Gulfstream G650 can be a little pricey. Climbing up through loftier S-Class variants like the AMG and Maybach models steadily builds on luxury as you approach the quarter-million-dollar peak. The seats — any of them — are as satisfying as an Eames lounge chair, and the passenger space is as quiet as a crypt, encased in a vault, in high-Earth orbit. Enjoy the best of the best today in Miami and Orlando with the all new s560
