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| Road Test: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2003-) |
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| Large Executive |
by: Farah AlKhalisi |
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| DRIVING RATING: |
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The S-Class feels much smaller than it really is, and more manoeuvreable than the 7-Series. There is excellent all-round vision, though Mercedes still hasn't sorted the long-running cruise control/indicator stalk confusion problem. But the COMAND control system is not as over-complicated as i-Drive, which automatically means it scores better marks than the BMW. A full armoury of ABS with Brake Assist, ESP with ASR (anti-skid reduction), standard Parktronic on the longwheelbase models and Active Body Control (ABC) on S600 and S55 AMG models keeps it under control, on the road and away from other cars, and the Tipfunction automatic gearbox means you don't have to exert your left foot - until you need to operate the parking brake, that is. The S-Class is light enough and so beautifully engineered that it will happily hurtle around corners and twist around country lanes if you want it to - it's as at home charging through the Schwartzwald as storming down the autobahn, within the limits imposed by its sheer size. The standard AirMatic air suspension has three modes of differing stiffness and sportiness, from the opulently comfortable to the firm and frantic, and the tyres are grippy and balance excellent. The S600 has Active Body Control (ABC) in lieu of AirMatic, which helps keep all of that immense power and torque under control, though you can switch off the traction control and skid reduction if you want to go wheel-spinning - most undignified in a car of this type, but rather fun.
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Introduction When the current-generation S-Class was launched back in 1998, it mark... |
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