Press Release
Page  1 - Overview
Page  2 - Control concept
Page  3 - Design
Page  4 - History of S-Class controls
Page  5 - Ergonomics test bench
Page  6 - Virtual Reality Center
Page  7 - Support Systems
Page  8 - Brake Assist PLUS
Page  9 - PRE-SAFE
Page 10 - Adaptive brake light
Page 11 - DISTRONIC PLUS
Page 12 - Night View Assist
Page 13 - Parking Assist
Page 14 - Seat Technology
Control concept
Man and vehicle - a harmonious relationship in the new S-Class
- Integrated control systems instead of additional buttons and switches
- Redundancy concept with buttons for instant operation
- Instrument cluster and COMAND display at the same viewing level
- New COMAND controller combined with direct control buttons
Getting in and feeling good – in the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has added another aspect to this conceptual and design aim for its car interiors: getting in, feeling good and mastering the technology at once.
This is made possible by a newly developed control concept as the interface between man and vehicle. It is based on extensive ergonomic and perceptive psychology studies, and takes into account the findings from numerous acceptance tests conducted with Mercedes customers all over the world. In other words, it is not the latest technical advances but male and female drivers that provided the impulses for the control and display systems.
The effort devoted to the development of a new control concept shows how seriously Mercedes-Benz takes this task. And for very good reasons, as new technologies for even more individual comfort, telematics and telecommunications, as well as information and entertainment, require new thinking where automotive control concepts are concerned. Making the numerous functions and their complexity easily accessible for drivers is a task that goes well beyond the usual activities of automotive engineers. During the development of the control system for the new S-Class they therefore worked together closely with the psychologists and behavioural scientists at DaimlerChrysler Research, who conduct research into the human factors involved in driving as well as the technical and functional aspects – the fine interaction between intuitive understanding of the control function and the emotional experience when handling the technology. Both are important prerequisites for safety, wellbeing and driving enjoyment. A major contribution was also made by the designers, who created the various switches, controls and displays and painstakingly blended them into the overall design concept for the Mercedes flagship model. The result is a harmonious combination of ergonomics and aesthetic appeal: every switch, every control and every display signals precision and careful attention to detail.
The most important objectives during the development of the control concept for the new S-Class were adaptation and integration. The aim was the best possible adaptation of the technology to human needs in the interests of greater safety and comfort, as well as the clear and logical grouping or integration of control functions.
Accordingly Mercedes engineers relocated functions for seat and climate control adjustment, which were previously operated by means of separate switches or buttons but tend to be used only rarely in practice, into central control systems. This means that tried-and-trusted control and display elements such as the multifunction steering wheel in combination with the central display in the cockpit, as well as the innovative COMAND system, have been further enhanced and extended. Other functions for which switches, buttons or levers continue to be most suitable have been grouped into control clusters. The principle is always: everything in its place.
Direct selection: buttons for immediate access to important functions
Rapid access to frequently used functions is a major characteristic of the intelligent control concept in the S-Class. This means that the driver is not required to relearn, is able to retain old habits and feels at home immediately. The control system is designed for redundancy: the radio, TV tuner, CD/DVD changer, telephone and navigation system can be accessed either via the new COMAND controller and its menu structure, or directly using keys. The relevant control keys are ergonomically located in front of the controller, so that the driver can operate them by feel without having to look down. The "Return" key takes the driver back to the next-higher menu level.
The buttons and controls on both sides of the COMAND controller are just as easily accessible. The buttons on the right switch the system on or off, regulate the sound volume or activate the mute function, while the switch array on the left allows the driver to select the transmission programme and control the rear head restraints. There is also an individually programmable button for specific functions chosen by the driver. It can be programmed to operate the rear window blind, activate the interior surveillance and tow-away protection system or repeat the route recommendations given by the navigation system, for example.
Operation of the standard automatic climate control system is also possible in two ways, i.e. on a redundant basis: using the COMAND controller and menu-based control via the colour display, or by means of an attractively styled switch array beneath the air vents. The COMAND system allows further individual climate adjustments such as air distribution, footwell adjustment and air conditioning for the rear.
Cockpit: colour display with clear menu-controlled functions
The steering wheel and instrument cluster are the primary areas in the newly developed control concept of the S-Class. These integrate all the important information and functions required by the driver. The centrepiece is an eight-inch (16 : 9) high-resolution colour display with the latest TFT (thin film transistor) technology for a bright, crystal-clear image. There is a graphically animated dial speedometer whose needle is partially overlapped to highlight the information presented by the central display.
The graphics computer projects a line of plain text along the lower edge of the TFT display; depending on the level of equipment, this allows up to seven main menus and various sub-menus to be accessed for individual settings, displays and control functions:
Trip: Odometer and trip recorder, trip computer, range, digital speedometer.
Navi: Directional instructions (indicated by arrows) by the navigation system.
Audio: Radio programme, TV programme, title display for CD player, CD changer and video DVD.
Telephone: Number dialled, caller number, telephone directory.
Assistance: Distance display for DISTRONIC, proximity warning, settings for reversing camera.
Service: Tyre pressure control, ASSYST PLUS, messages.
Settings: Daytime driving lights, digital secondary speedometer, SPEEDTRONIC, activation of radar sensors.
Steering wheel: new 5-way buttons for rapid, intuitive operation
For rapid selection of these functions Mercedes-Benz has developed the controls on the standard multifunction steering wheel further, using circular, illuminated five-way buttons which the driver operates by light thumb pressure. The left disc highlights one of the main menus in the central display in a horizontal direction, then accesses the required sub-menu in a vertical direction. The relevant selection or setting is confirmed by pressing the "OK" key at the centre of the disc. A separate "Return" key enables the driver to return to the next-higher menu level immediately.
The five-way button on the right of the multifunction steering wheel is used to regulate the sound volume (vertical) and operate the car phone (horizontal). Below this there is an additional button with which the driver can activate the LINGUATRONIC voice control system (optional). A few verbal commands are then enough to operate the car phone, audio equipment and navigation system.
DIRECT SELECT: automatic selector lever on the steering column
The primary control layout which the driver has directly within his reach and field of vision includes the newly designed lever on the steering column. As before, cruise control, DISTRONIC (optional), the windscreen wipers, indicators, steering wheel heating system (optional) and steering wheel position are controlled from here. In line with the principle of "everything in its place", the control function for setting the desired inter-vehicle distance has been integrated into the DISTRONIC lever, rather than on the centre console as in the preceding model.
Another new feature which improves operating convenience and allows a thoroughly up-to-date cockpit design is DIRECT SELECT – electronic control of the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission by nudging an attractively styled lever on the right of the steering column. Thanks to this technology, Mercedes engineers were able to dispense with the usual shift lever on the centre console and redesign the tunnel covering.
COMAND: screen within the driver’s field of vision and a new controller
With the "Cockpit Management and Data System" - COMAND for short – Mercedes-Benz started a new era in systems operation when the predecessor to the new S-Class was launched in 1998. COMAND is the processing and control centre for a whole range of functions; it is a car radio, CD/DVD player, TV tuner and navigation unit all in one. It also facilitates the operation of the car phone by means of a special keypad and clear displays.
The engineers in Sindelfingen have developed the system further for the new S-Class, while improving its styling. This further development has produced a considerable increase in its capabilities, for in addition to the familiar telematic and audio units, various vehicle functions which previously required individual switches have now been integrated into the system. Two new features are immediately obvious:
- The large, eight-inch 16 : 9 colour display is now positioned at the same height as the instrument cluster, and therefore even more favourably within the field of vision of the driver and front passenger. In addition the display can be electrically pivoted by ten degrees to the left or right.
- The innovative COMAND controller with a padded handrest on the transmission tunnel. This is the central control unit for all COMAND functions. This component of high-grade aluminium is the mechanical and electronic interface between the front occupants and COMAND. The main and sub-menus for the control system are selected by rotating or nudging the controller, which is then pressed to confirm the relevant function. A geared electric motor assists the movements of the controller and provides tactile feedback. The rotary function is automatically locked when the end of a display sequence has been reached, for example. If a car phone is fitted ex factory, the padded handrest can be flipped up to reveal the telephone keypad.
Menu control: clear layout and photo-quality images
A new operating concept, up-to-date colours and clear, photo-quality graphics also make the COMAND menu selection procedure a gratifying visual experience. The screen content is horizontally divided into separate areas which are easily accessed using the controller. As in the central display in the instrument cluster, the system is accessed via a menu bar which contains up to five main functions, depending on the level of equipment in the S-Class:
Navi: Road map, destination input, destination memory
Audio: Radio, CD player or changer, DVD audio, MP3, rear entertainment (optional), auxiliary port
Tel: Telephone, address book, news
Video: TV reception, DVD video, auxiliary connection
Vehicle: Rear blind, exterior mirrors (comfort settings), assisted entry/exit (steering wheel), delayed switch-off, ambient lighting (optional), locator lighting, automatic locking, interior surveillance, tow-away protection, boot lid stop (with optional remote boot lid closing).
When one of the menus is selected, a further menu bar appears at the lower edge of the COMAND display. If for example radio operation has been selected, this allows additional settings such as sound quality, balance/fader, waveband and station list to be chosen. The redesigned radio station display shows radio programmes which the driver or front passenger can select by rotating the controller.
The menu structure follows a simple, easily understood principle: functions or lists in the sub-menus are accessed by pressing the controller, while items within the lists are activated by rotating or nudging the controller up or down, followed by pressing to confirm. Lists are closed merely by moving the controller horizontally or pressing the "Return" key in front of the controller.
Additional functions: seats and air conditioner now also controlled via COMAND
The new functions which are now also controlled via COMAND include individual adjustment of the standard lumbar supports and multicontour seats (optional). The display shows a photo-quality image of the seat with the different air cushions highlighted in colour. These can be individually selected using the controller, then adjusted as required. As before, all other seat adjustments and functions are grouped into clearly arranged control clusters in the doors.
Other systems for which separate switches were previously necessary, e.g. the rear window blind, tow-away protection and interior surveillance, can also be operated via COMAND in the new S-Class.
Technology: radio, CD player and PC card player in one
The COMAND system in the new S-Class combines the latest audio, video and navigation technology. The following functions are included in the standard configuration:
Radio: SW, MW, LW and FM reception. Twin FM tuner with RDS/TMC. Automatic station memory for all receivable radio programmes. 20 station memory presets per waveband.
Amplifier: 4 x 25 watts. Ten loudspeakers.
CD/DVD: Single deck for music CDs and for audio or video DVDs. Also for MP3 formats.
PC cards: Slot for PCMCIA cards below the CD/DVD player.
Auxiliary: Port for external equipment in the glove compartment.
Navigation: all route information on a computer hard disc
Mercedes-Benz will also equip COMAND with a navigation system on request. In addition to a satellite receiver (Global Positioning System) and a yaw rate sensor, this has a hard disc with a memory capacity of 20 Gigabytes and allows particularly fast access to the navigation data, with even faster route calculation compared to a DVD-based system. Route information for Europe, the USA/Canada or several countries in other continents is stored on the hard disc.
A TV tuner is also available as optional equipment for the COMAND system. This is able to receive both terrestrial digital signals (DVB-T) and analogue programmes. For safety reasons the TV image in the COMAND display is blanked out when the car is on the move; TV reception is always possible in the rear if the entertainment system (optional) is specified.
Control clusters: switches grouped according to related functions
Following the principle of "everything in its place", Mercedes engineers and designers have integrated those switches and keys which still remain necessary into functionally related control clusters. These control clusters may be found in the door trim, dashboard and roof lining:
- All the controls for the exterior mirrors, side windows, window blinds, central locking system and seats are grouped in the door trim.
- The control unit for all the lighting functions in the new S-Class is located on the dashboard, to the left of the steering column: low-beam headlamps, parking lights, headlamp switch, fog lamps, rear fog lamp and headlamp cleaning system (optional).
- The overhead control panel contains switches for the interior lighting, sliding sunroof (optional) and the roller blind for the new panoramic sliding roof (optional).
Functions such as "ESP OFF", "PARKTRONIC OFF" and manual level control, which tend to be used infrequently, are operated via a switch array between the instrument cluster and the COMAND display.
Rear: controller and direct control switches on the armrest
Passengers in the rear of the new S-Class are not deprived of the advantages offered by the new controller in combination with direct control switches. If the S-Class is equipped with single multicontour rear seats and the rear-entertainment system (optional), the controller is located on the folding armrest between the single seats. All the functions of the entertainment system can be controlled from here: CD/DVD player, TV tuner, two auxiliary ports for external equipment and the picture and sound adjustments. Direct control switches allow individual adjustment of the multicontour seats (optional) in the rear.
