Tag: S-Class

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Does The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) Interior Design Has Serious Problems?

Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed the interior design of the next-generation S-Class W223. Typically, the features you would see inside one S-Class model would be very similar ten years later on subsequent models, including safety technologies such as ESP and the pre-crash system. This time, Mercedes have broken the mould.

The brand is pushing the boundaries with its functionality, with touch-sensitive buttons or tiny touch screens included in its new model for the seat climate controls. The centre console of this S-Class is akin to the likes of the Audi A8, the Tesla Model S, and the Range Rover. There is a complete absence of physical buttons; now you control everything via a state-of-the-art touch screen. It is very much reminiscent of an iPad experience; however, it can be difficult to alter the aircon temperature, for example, whilst you are driving. The lack of real feedback of a physical button when using the touch screen is a concern, and this is a well-known issue.

The S-Class has taken the touch screen control to an entirely new dimension, with even the controls for seat temperature being controlled in this way! Heating and cooling controls for seats used to be psychical buttons. Notably, the Audi A8 still has these, which I consider to be the optimal experience. Now, if you wish to heat your seat, you have to look at the button area to see whether you are touching the correct one; otherwise, you can quickly cool down your seat on a cold winter drive!

Physical buttons allow us to gauge the pressure we apply to the button, and also how many times we have pressed it. These would be much more practical for users when in the motion of driving – something Mercedes have overlooked.

Regrettably, addiction to touch screens will increase the opportunity for a new type of accident. Until now, we haven’t experienced accidents due to driver distraction from touch screen controls, but this could be on the horizon with drivers of cars like this model having to overt their eyes from the road to manage the screen controls. Pre-crash technology systems may prevent such accidents, but there is no need to invent a new type of accident when the existing solutions work perfectly.

Images // Daimler AG

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Cars

Mercedes-Benz New MBUX Technical Details

Mercedes-Benz recently revealed their next-generation user interface system for the upcoming S-Class. I didn’t have a chance to try the system, so my assumptions are based upon what I have observed from press releases and others’ experience.

Since the Tesla Model S was launched, there has been a trend to remove all buttons from the dashboard, instead of replacing all controls via a touchscreen glass panel. On paper, it is a great way of minimising the clutter of buttons on the dashboard, whilst upholding a current on-trend aesthetic that is technologically savvy. Undeniably, it also looks great from a design perspective; who doesn’t admire Bauhaus (form follows function)?

By removing all necessary physical buttons and replacing them with a touch screen also created a new source for vehicle accidents; I crashed while I was trying to adjust the climate control temperature.

This problem is ousted by Mercedes-Benz’s voice-activated technology. The system assumes that people will say something and the car will simply understand; wishful thinking? There are so many accent and sentence structures, it is extremely challenging for a computer to understand what we want. You can also control everything from the interior buttons and knobs whilst driving, therefore it is very easy and safe.

Of course, Mercedes-Benz didn’t simply release a funky user interface. They introduced probably the best navigation system launched yet. By implementing augmented reality into the front screen, the navigation system will show arrows and provide direction directly from the windscreen, placing them at the correct points, instead of telling you ‘turn right after 200 meters’.

I loved the augmented reality navigation system and, likely, other manufacturers and brands will soon follow suit. Admittedly, though, I am not in favour of buttonless dashboards. These will only act to increase accidents and distract people. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if operating a touch screen dashboard is a violation of traffic law. Yes, we need touch screens but not for everything. A hybrid approach would be more optimal than a smartphone approach. What is essentially copying and pasting a smartphone experience into a 2-tone metal object that can travel up to 250 km/h is not the way to move forward.

Here is the technical details of the MBUX (next generation S-Class W223):
Display: 1888 x 1728 resolution, 12.8-inch and 200-ppi (pixel-per-inch) (Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max: 458-ppi)
Storage: 320 GB SSD
Memory: 16 GB RAM with 41,790 MB/sec (bandwidth)
Over-the-air updates

Images // Daimler AG

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Cars

The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) Leaked

Exactly seven years ago, Mercedes-Benz S-Class press photos were leaked around this time (I have the actual date on my Facebook memories). But this time, it is not a press photo but an Instagram photo. The notorious Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/cochespias/) for finding leaked car photos managed to find the images of the upcoming S-Class (W223). Sadly though, this is the next model! It looks like a Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan on steroids, and it has finally had its ultra-serious look removed. Yet unfortunately, the upcoming look of the S-Class reminds me of a ‘this look sells more cars’ face.

I am sure that many people will buy the new S-Class, there is no doubt about that. It is the critical player in this segment. But the interior is a bit disappointing. The new steering wheel is touch-capacitive capable, with Mercedes-Benz opting to use the touch screen features of a smartphone on the steering wheel and assumes that this is a good idea. While it means they don’t need moving buttons, this type of design will increase accidental taps and makes the learning curve too steep.

The centre console is a disaster. All touch screen trends started with the Range Rover and Audi caught this terrible virus. Now it is time for Mercedes-Benz. All touch screen centre consoles are pointless and silly – you can’t have button feedback, and you have to stop all the time to adjust the aircon temperature, or the seat heating, or whatever that can be done quickly using knobs and buttons.

Mercedes-Benz’s defence will, in all likelihood, be that it is a new technology and that the driver can use voice control. Voice control in cars has historically been rubbish and never works. Drivers need physical buttons and feedback to control basic controls while driving; otherwise they have to look at the central console to adjust minor things and stop looking at the road. This technology will work in level-5 autonomous vehicles, but we are not there yet! In the meantime, we still need physical buttons on the central console.

I think everyone agrees with you on this. So, what do you think about the buttonless touch only central consoles?

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223

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Cars

The New Mercedes S63 Coupe 4MATIC AMG

Mercedes S63 Coupe AMG and 4MATIC models were revealed last week or week before or before that. Anyway, I was too lazy to cover this story. Because, I find it boring! Mercedes S63 Coupe AMG means literally, nothing to me. Another Mercedes with lots of hormones! However, it is an exciting topic and I need to cover it. (This car used to be called, CL 63 AMG 4MATIC.)

Anyway, S63 Coupe AMG is available with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. If you are planning to do burn-out or show off to your friends go buy a rear-wheel drive. If you are planning to utilise the all engine power, go buy an all-wheel drive 4MATIC model.

You will have the same toys and gadgets on this AMG but if you order with 4MATIC, you cannot have the Magic Body Control, because the front differential consumers too much space and active body control system cannot be placed with 4MATIC models and it has been for ages like that.

Mercedes S63 Coupe AMG is powered by a 5.5-lt bi-tubo V8 with 585 HP and 900 Nm of torque. The engine is coupled with AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed automatic gearbox. Rear-wheel drive needs only 4.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h and 4MATIC all-wheel drive needs only 3.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h. Both models have limited top speed of 250 km/h.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Photos Credits
Mercede
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Cars

Official Photo of the Mercedes S-Class Coupe (CL-Class)

New Mercedes S-Class Coupe or previous known as CL Coupe official photos are leaked, actually only one photo. As I expected the new S-Class Coupe does not look something really different and preserves the conservative look of Mercedes. Personally, I didn’t fancy the new S-Class Coupe. It looks nice but nothing really really special however, this is how Mercedes designs. Mercedes always try to keep the conservative look. 
So does the new Mercedes S-Class Coupe worth to buy against Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari F12 or Aston Martin Vanquish? Actually yes and no! 
If you are looking for a GT car that offers the highest technology for safety and user interface, go for the Mercedes S-Class Coupe. Because, the S-Class Coupe offers the highest safety technology on automotive world, literally the car can drive by itself if the law permits. Safety technologies of the new S-Class Coupe are amazing but, it may drive a bit boring and does not offer something really different in terms of design and heritage. You will not have the aristocratic feeling of Bentley or the wildness and selfishness of a Ferrari. If you buy the new S-Class Coupe, you will be owning the latest gadget on wheels.
If you are interested, you may find the all new features of the S-Class on this post. Probably, these features will be available with the new S-Class Coupe.
Engines? Probably the S-Class Coupe will not offer any diesel engines and compensate the gap with hybrid models.

Photo Credit
Mercedes
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Cars

Jaguar vs. Mercedes Chicken | Jaguar XJ vs. Mercedes S-Class

Jaguar vs. Mercedes chicken video teases the Mercedes S-Class Magic Body Control. And emerges the ultimate competition; Mercedes S-Class vs Jaguar XJ and the winner is Mercedes S-Class, unfortunately. Because, the new S-Class is the biggest gadget on this planet and it has every kind of technology that features on an Airbus. Except, emergency slides and reverse thrust and oxygen masks and pressurised cabin. But I am expecting to see these technologies on up-coming S-Class.
Anyway Jaguar USA decided to tease or make fun of the Mercedes S-Class’s very creative advertisement for the Magic Body Control that features a chicken. 
And what is Magic Body Control? It is basically, the most sophisticated suspension system on this planet. I think Mars Curiosity Rover has a very better system but it is on Mars at the moment and driven by aliens. The Magic Body Control scans the road with stereo cameras (I really don’t know why two cameras) and adjusts the suspension according to road conditions to offer the maximum comfort. Magic Body Control is more advanced version of Active Body Control (ABC). This technology is based hydraulic suspension and offers the Rolls Royce comfort with a lower price tag. Literally, S-Class is like an Easy Jet ticket when you compare with Rolls Royce Phantom.
On the other side is the Jaguar XJ from 2004, sorry 2013. Unfortunately, Jaguar XJ is not in gadget category. It offers some how technology but all those technologies were already available on W220 S-Class that revealed on 1998! Despite the aging technology of XJ, it looks way better and made from aluminium. And offers more sportive driving experience. And Jaguar wanted to receive benefit from the sportive driving character by teasing the Mercedes S-Class’s Magic Body Control technology. 
Fine, you are right Mercedes packs up the best technology with a very boring design. They call conservative, I called it boring. You cannot associate a S-Class with a young person. Even though the gadget lovers will love the S-Class but they will be hesitating own one due its face. On the other hand, Jaguar XJ looks amazing but that’s all. It cannot detect a speed bump and adjust the firmness of suspension or detect a bicycle on the road and break, cannot drive by itself on traffic jam, cannot stop itself by pre-sensing a crash. XJ is more emotional car.
Anyway, Jaguar will become viral and I am contributing to that. However, being viral will help to increase sales? Don’t think so. Which one I would buy? Audi A8.
And next post will be, how to be the top of blacklist of press officers in three steps :)

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Is Mercedes S-Class Safe? | S400 Hybrid Accident

Is Mercedes S-Class safe? You can find answer to this question from Euro-NCAP results or asking your friends or etc. And I have a very good answer for your questions with photographs. Yes, Mercedes S-Class is really safe car despite being boring! 
Recently a Mercedes S400 Hybrid had a terrible accident in outskirts of Yosemite National Park on August. While the S400 Hybrid driver was on his lane, he faced with an SUV from opposite direction and had no other chance to steer to right. However, there was no extra lane or extra room to avoid the accident and the S400 Hybrid rolled over 123-metre from a cliff. And he had no injury! mbrace and other drivers called emergency services. So the story ends up happy. 
Based on my experience from my internships at automotive industry. This car only has few scratches. Just have a look at the photo and you will under what I mean.
What we learn from this accident? Mercedes makes really safe and boring cars :)


Photos Credits
Mercedes
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Cars

Mercedes New S-Class Drives by Itself | S500 Intelligent Drive

Mercedes revealed a footage of new S500 with autonomous driving system, Intelligent Drive. More basically, the car drives by itself. Mercedes already mentioned that the new S-Class has the capability to drive by itself but regulations do not permit it. And I wrote an article about hacking or jailbreaking the new S-Class to drive by itself.
Anyway, Mercedes revealed a fifteen minutes über boring footage to show off how their new S-Class can drive by itself on public roads. Despite the state-of-art boringness of Mercedes S-Class, I have weakness to cars that are capable of driving by their selves. That’s the best thing in automotive world. Your car drives by itself and you enjoy the road or sleep.
However, there is only one problem with this automatic system. It is against by the law!


Photos Credits
Mercedes
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Cars

Mercedes New S-Class Coupe | S-Coupe | New CL Photos

Mercedes S-Class Coupe or new CL-Class or S Coupe photos were released but they are concept vehicle photos. It won’t be on production. Concept cars are like haute couture, you cannot have them in daily life or they are not designed to survive in tough conditions. Therefore, concept cars look way better than the production cars. 
Yes and I am saying the same for the S-Class Coupe concept. I don’t fancy Mercedes for last ten years due to their addiction to plastic interior parts, über conservative design and lack of passion. However, they create really beautiful concept cars like S-Class Coupe.
However, S-Class Coupe looks very similar to CLA from the front-end :(
I don’t think Mercedes will ever put this design into production, however it is good to have a look and scare the competitors. But will you buy a S-Class Coupe over a Bentley Continental GT or Ferrari FF?


Photos Credits
Mercedes
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Cars

New Mercedes S-Class Coupe | New CL Coupe?

Today Mercedes released a video of the upcoming S-Class Coupe concept. The S-Class Coupe is not something new, it is going to replace the CL-Class. As the new branding strategy of the Mercedes, they started to use Coupe word like E-Coupe, S-Coupe and leaving the CLK and CL brands.
New S-Coupe or S-Class Coupe will be based on the existing S-Class with two less doors. They might be a diesel engine option but I don’t think so. Because, Mercedes is trying to compete with Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Maserati with S-Class Coupe and these competitors do not offer diesel engines.
Anyway, the S-Class Coupe concept looks like beautiful but it is not production vehicle, so there will be minor and major changes. And also, S-Class Coupe will not be as boring as S-Class thanks to different customer audience but still a Mercedes, not a Bentley.
Photos Credits
Mercedes