MB S-Class In Depth

Press Release

In detail
Design and equipment:
Unsurpassed elegance, comfort and driving enjoyment

• Redesigned front end gives a more powerful appearance
• Headlamps with state-of-the-art clear lenses
• Over 40 interior features redesigned and further enhanced
• COMAND fitted as standard on all model versions
• New dynamic multicontour seat for further enhanced seating comfort
• Luxurious "designo couture" interior trim package

The Mercedes designers who worked on the S-Class facelift had two main goals in view: to update selected details of this successful model series and to reinforce key styling themes. This was quite a challenge, given that the styling of this popular saloon has already picked up numerous awards, like the German Product Design Award, the "Roter Punkt" award for high design quality and the title "Most Beautiful Car in the World" Mercedes styling stresses durability, and four years on from its world debut the S-Class remains one of the most fresh and modern looking luxury class cars in the world, exhibiting a dynamism and aesthetic appeal which are as strong as ever. There was thus no need for a major stylistic reworking. The facelift demonstrates design continuity and at the same time reinforces the theme of sporty elegance which is one of the keynotes of this saloon. Seen from the front, the S-Class presents an even more powerful appearance than before. This is due in particular to the restyled bumper, where three changes stand out: the chrome-trimmed rub strips have been extended towards the centre, the long, horizontal lower air intake has been enlarged and the lower corners of the spoiler now have more muscular contours. These changes make the body appear wider and create a more powerful overall effect. The modifications to the radiator grille serve the same purpose: larger dimensions, redesigned ribs and a steeper angle give a more dominant appearance, which is nevertheless as appealing as ever. Clear headlamp lenses add further elegance The stylish headlamps, the most striking frontal design feature of the S-Class, have been facelifted too. State-of-the-art clear lenses give a revealing view of the technology sheltering behind them, and in conjunction with the high brilliance reflectors add further lustre. A pattern of fine, vertical lines decorates the surface of the lenses, accentuating the striking styling. The six- and eight-cylinder S-Class models are fitted as standard with H7 halogen headlamps. Powerful bi-xenon headlamps are available as an option (standard on the S 600). The side direction indicators in the exterior mirror casings have clear lenses too, which makes them even more noticeable. Also incorporated in the remodelled mirror casings is a new ambient lighting feature which provides enhanced safety and comfort for S-Class occupants when getting in and out in the dark. The lighting is directed towards the ground and is activated automatically when the driver or front passenger open their door, or when the central locking is operated using the remote control. In side profile the dynamic temperament of the S-Class is expressed by the long, slightly wedge-shaped body lines, which convey a coupé-style dynamism and elegance. The new alloy wheels with their lighter paint finish further enhance the sporty lines of the model-year 2003 S-Class. The six-cylinder models receive handsome seven hole (16-inch) wheels, the V8 models seven spoke wheels (tyre size 225/60 R 16) and the eight-cylinder 4MATIC models 17-inch wheels with 225/55 R 17 tyres. The top-of-the-range S 600 model is shod with forged 18-inch, six hole alloy wheels and wide base tyres - size 245/45 R 18 at the front and 265/40 R 18 at the rear. New, dirt protected boot lid handle Like the headlamps, the tail lights too have a modified appearance, which makes the rear of the vehicle appear even more elegant than before. Redesigned reflectors and finer partitioning of the centre area of the lenses create a more brilliant effect. A new and thoughtful feature at the rear is the newly developed, dirt protected handle. The handle slides out pneumatically at a touch of the boot lid lock and automatically disappears again when the lid has been closed. This keeps the handle clean and dry on wet days. Even more convenient is the remote boot lid opening feature on the electronic key, which is standard as before. Optionally, remote boot lid closing is also available. Numerous interior enhancements Following the facelift, the interior of the S-Class now offers even more in the way of luxury and creature comforts. With proverbial attention to detail, the Mercedes designers have redesigned over 40 interior features, or further enhanced them using new materials. Many of the changes are only apparent at second glance, but together they add up to a new statement of typical, exclusive Mercedes-Benz interior finish and quality. Examples in-clude the twin door sill panels in chrome--plated stainless steel, the subtle chrome embellishment of the fine wood trim strips, the new, elegant switches on the centre console, the softer armrests in the doors and the even more precisely defined radii and finer surface grain of the instrument panel thanks to a new, high quality laminate. The padded, leather-trimmed armrest between the front seats now features a longitudinally split lid. At the press of a button the right half opens out to the side and simultaneously the optional mobile phone - or, depending on specification, the receiver of the built-in phone - is raised. At a second press of a button, the entire armrest can be folded backwards, allowing passengers in the rear to use the telephone too. Underneath the armrest is a spacious stowage compartment which is cooled or warmed by the automatic climate control. Optionally, electric heating can be supplied for the rim of the four-spoke steering wheel. After approximately seven minutes the heating power is automatically reduced, and at higher interior temperatures it is switched off completely. COMAND system with larger colour display fitted as standard The centre console control panel has been completely redesigned too. It now includes, as standard equipment on all versions of the S-Class, the multifunction COMAND system, which now features a 30 per cent larger colour display (6.5"). This display, with its new 16:9 format, can also be used as a television screen. The standard fitted COMAND system comprises a radio with VHF, MW and LW reception, four 25-watt amplifiers, a clock and a CD player. The restyled dials and buttons on either side of the colour display can be used by the driver and front passenger to control these and other, optionally available, features like a phone, CD changer or TV receiver. The glove compartment is fitted with a socket for a Walkman or MP3 player. The optional COMAND APS system (standard on the S 600) includes a dynamic navigation module. The integrated CD player can be used to play both audio CDs and the navigation system CD-ROM. Optionally, voice control - LINGUATRONIC (optional) - is available for the car phone and radio. In this case, all the driver has to do is say the word - or words - and the system will, for example, switch to another radio station or to the next track on an audio CD. This technology represents yet another contribution by Mercedes-Benz to road safety, since it means that drivers no longer have to take their hands off the steering wheel or their eyes off the road in order to operate the telephone or audio systems. For passengers in the rear, a separate display has been developed, which mounts at the rear of the centre console. A swivelling support allows the rear display to be adjusted for height, for reach and to either side. Rear passengers can continue to watch TV or videotext on the rear display even if the front COMAND terminal has been tuned to another function (for example the radio), or if the front display has automatically suppressed TV images for safety reasons because the vehicle speed has exceeded 6 km/h. In such cases, the rear passengers can plug the two sets of head-phones in to the colour monitor and can in this way also continue to follow the sound. Additional equipment like a video camera, a digital camera with video output or a games console can also be connected to the rear display. New dynamic multicontour seat adjusts to different driving situations The front seats, too, have undergone a facelift. The result is further improved comfort, while the modified seat console and backrest trim parts with soft effect paint finish provide further eye appeal for the interior. Optionally, the front passenger seat can be equipped with a newly developed bottle holder, which allows large bottles to be held firmly in place without risk of spillage. The optional actively ventilated seats now incorporate further refinements for an even more agreeable seat "climate". For example the diameter of the mini-fans in the backrest has been increased, and the perforations in the leather upholstery have been enlarged. For further improved comfort, soft foam padding underneath the leather now replaces the previous rubberised fibre filling. As an alternative to the proven dynamic multicontour backrest, whose contours can be adjusted to suit individual needs by means of separately inflatable air cushions and which also offers a back massage facility, the S-Class can optionally be supplied with a pioneering new feature: the dynamic multicontour seat. This seat too is equipped with a number of air chambers - one at the front of the seat cushion, two in the lumbar region and one in each of the backrest side bolsters – which inflate or deflate automatically to adjust to different driving situations. These operations are controlled electro-pneumatically by a microprocessor inside the seat which, with split second speed, processes data such as steering angle, lateral acceleration and road speed, then varies the inflation pressure and volume of the air cushions accordingly. For example on a left-hand bend, the system automatically pumps up the air cushions on the right hand side of the backrest to provide more lateral support. This new dynamic function is controlled by high-performance, fastacting solenoids in the integral control unit; the driver and front passenger can select two different settings. "designo couture" interior trim package raises the luxury stakes For customers who demand even higher standards of luxury and comfort on board the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has developed an exclusive trim package which goes by the name of designo couture. Designo couture offers a selection of finest quality leather upholstery and wood veneer, and is available in highly attractive colours:

• The seats, the armrest between the front seats, the upper section of the instrument panel, the upper parts of the door trim, the stowage compartments in the doors, the front part of the seats and the parcel shelf are trimmed in extra high quality nappa leather.
• For the lower section of the instrument panel, the electric seat adjustment consoles and the door centre panels, the Mercedes designers have selected soft nubuk leather, whose fine, short staple fibres contrast pleasantly with the nappa leather.
• Choice of select maple or poplar wood veneer, in anthracite.
• Floor mats with leather edging.
• Roof lining in soft Alcantara.
• In terms of colour, too, designo couture strikes an individual note: customers can choose between anthracite, royal blue or pebble grey.

New S 600 available in special protection version The technically and stylistically revised S-Class for the model year 2003 can optionally be equipped with the internationally proven Mercedes-Benz special protection features. The S-Guard models (S 500 long-wheelbase version and S 600) are equipped by Mercedes-Benz with ex-factory protection conforming to European standards "B4" (high protection) or "B6"/"B7" (highest protection). Depending on specification level, the reinforced bodies are designed to provide protection against attack by hand gun, rifle, hand grenade and explosives. The extremely high resistance of the S-Guard armouring is provided amongst other things by state-of-the-art materials such as glass/plastics combinations and high-strength special steel (high protection/"B4") or composite constructions of special steel and plastics (highest protection/"B6"/"B7"). The S-Guard models are separately developed in accordance with the Mercedes-Benz philosophy of integrated, ex-factory special protection. In other words protective features are not tacked on to a finished vehicle but are incorporated into the bodyshell on a dedicated production line independent of the standard production process. This means that the high or highest protection modifications can be integrated, in accordance with typical Mercedes manufacturing standards, in areas which would not be accessible at a later stage. Outwardly, the S-Guard special protection models are virtually indistinguishable from standard S-Class saloons.