Even someone who has lately quarreled with the Mercedes design, e.g. a shooting brake who wants to meet all requirements, is not that great and the tail of the new A-Class little typical Mercedes, but must pay tribute for the new S-Class. Such a big (or at least long) car to let appear so unobtrusive and yet expressive, already designer qualification belongs. Of course you can not resist, to correspond the general trend in the upper class to slightly threatening, something too dominant. But who comes with the claim, to build the best car in the world, probably has no choice. It is difficult to stand out, where the compact class has yet been approached down to 10 centimeters of the width of an S-Class. What was formerly a difference between this and a Golf 1 e.g. Amazing what all is still placed in the new model. It is said that one has started the development with the long version this time. The Chinese market surely plays a decisive role for all new models and especially for this. There one rather has somebody to drive, therefore there will be an even longer version also. Because speaking of China, here is also facilitated the work of the driver. For at traffic jam, a car can now not only drive and brake for the first time, but also steer itself. At a somewhat higher speed that works only when the driver has his hands on the steering wheel. This is seriously checked with sensors. The question is wherewith the automotive engineers will soon come up to check. Larger interiors with nearly reclining seat quality back, massage and many other amenities such as special fragrances, we know in the car already. But new is the really meaningful merger of the two displays on more than 30 centimeters diagonal. Anyway expectations are not low addressed to a new S-Class. Here were introduced several important safety innovations, for example the first ABS system. This time the car has not even the smallest light bulb, but allegedly a total of 500 LED. We ordinary mortals may therefore hope for this energy-saving technology. Yes, it was right, the Maybach to let expire with its not compelling value. This leaves the S-Class scope for development. It is anyway a phenomenon that the lower models move up more and more to the top. Although one will not even reach with the coming long version the opulent dimensions of the Maybach 57, but maybe that the interior utilization of the new S-Class also is more favourable. If one considers the most powerful engine with 4-matic in the currently purchasable long version, will not only exceeded the 100,000 euro. But then 2 tons accelerate still in 5 seconds to 100 km/h and are to stop with very good, but not quite with the world's best value. With this version one also comes yet surprisingly well around the curve, which of course in the city ... Of course, it would be possible for Mercedes to present a consumption indicator, which indicates not only the nervous instantaneous consumption. After all, both are indeed available in each other car. There must be an intention behind it. As with many not just fuel-efficient vehicles, where the CO2 value is pretty much listed last. In principle, be prepared to double-digit values, unless you are the front runner of the consumption tables on the internet. If one has accepted or respectively ignored the disadvantages of high cost and consumption, you can probably feel right at home. If the buyer of an S-Class climbs from the luxury suite in this car, he will probably feel no difference. For that also stands the flawless workmanship. One needs, however, a few days to approach the different options. And how one is welcomed! The display is activated without delay, conjures up next to beautiful instruments even video aids when operating from the endlessly vastness of the Comand system. So everything is virtual. And then the seats! Leather as standard, to operate electrically, with massage anyway, support for different broad upper body, probably adapted to the curve radius. The absolute sleeping comfort right rear probably disturbs only the usual street clothes. Meanwhile, the operation of the transmission has definitively left the center tunnel and made room the comand system. But where Mercedes still holds not only in the highest class even though the distance to the competitors is becoming smaller, is this phenomenal ride comfort. Recently, the system detects when it is dry up to 130 km/h even the bumps in advance and adapts to it. 02/14