|
The Mercedes-Benz S- 320Lwas introduced
in India in September 2000. A technological trendsetter
for the entire Indian passenger car market with
the S-class car, Mercedes-Benz confirms its role
as a pioneer in the production of top-of-the-range
luxury class saloons.
 The
car, the most expensive to hit the Indian roads
was well received. The first lot of 84 cars was
sold instantly. It came with a price tag of
Rs 57 lakh approximately (ex-showroom, Delhi).
In all technical fields, the Mercedes top model
has set standards that guarantee extra safety,
comfort, environmental compatibility and driving
pleasure. The S-class reflects the competence
and experience of the company as a technological
flagship and trendsetter.
The design of the S-class emphasizes continuity,
with evolutionary steps rather than drastic breaks
from tradition. It has the unmistakable, expressive
and exclusive face of the brand and reflects its
style and identity. With innovative imagination
combined with meticulous work on all details,
the designers of the S-class have produced a new
and exciting reinterpretation of the familiar
features of the Mercedes family, whilst at the
same time creating a new, unique look for the
luxury class. As a result, the S-class is a coupé‑like
saloon car - a slim, sleek athlete with an imposing
presence.
With new and improved lighting functions, the
S-class provides even better safety and comfort
than its predecessor. To improve visibility in
road traffic, the bulbs in the headlamps and rear
lights are supplemented by 18 LEDs integrated
in each exterior rear-view mirror housing to act
as turn signal indicators. These LEDs are specially
positioned to ensure visibility from both the
front and side. The main advantage of LEDs over
standard lamp bulbs is their long life span of
more than 10 years.
The S-class also satisfies all present and future
crash tests - and with much higher collision speeds.
The body shell reinforcements - additional load-bearing
members, higher-quality materials and new, innovative
restraint systems help the S‑class to meet
all today's safety standards all over the world.
Despite its coupé character and sleek, dynamic
body shape, the S-class again meets the strict
demands of Mercedes customers for spaciousness
and un-cramped comfort. Although the exterior
dimensions of the S-class have been reduced compared
to the predecessor model, the spaciousness of
the interior has remained undiminished.
The S-class has the newly developed AIRmatic system
(Adaptive Intelligent Ride control), which ensures
maximum comfort and good driving safety. The pneumatic
suspension of the S-class not only automatically
balances out different load conditions but also
enables the vehicle level to be raised manually
at the touch of a button on the instrument panel.
This function is particularly useful when driving
over dirt tracks, for example, or stretches of road
in bad repair (potholes).
The car is standard-fitted with the best driving
safety system in the world, the latest-generation
Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which has
been further improved in weight, installation
size and functionality.
On the basis of several different sensor signals,
ESP is able to recognize dangerous situations much
earlier and faster than even the most seasoned driver.
Consequently, the system can respond with high precision
to stabilize the vehicle. In addition, ESP integrates
the functions of other innovative dynamic handling
systems, e.g. anti-lock brakes (ABS), Brake Assist
(BAS) and acceleration skid control (ASR).
In the interests of optimal brake cooling, the
cover plates of the front disc brakes have been
reduced in size, so that each wheel has only one
heat shield, protecting the axle joints. At the
same time, Mercedes-Benz engineers have developed
perforated brake discs for the S-class: the holes
(51 per friction surface) reliably divert
wet and dirt, so that despite the smaller covers
the brakes continue to provide excellent braking
performance even under adverse weather conditions.
The Mercedes-Benz S-class is available with six-cylinder
V-engines that are characterized not only by their
majestic power curve, high torque and exemplary
smooth running but also in particular by their excellent
fuel economy and low pollutant emissions.
The combination of modern lightweight design,
exemplary aerodynamics and the latest in advanced
engine technology makes its presence felt in the
S‑class by a significant fuel saving of
13 to 17% compared to the outgoing model (New
European Driving Cycle - NEDC). In the V6 engine
available for the S-class, optimal combustion
is ensured by the use of three valves per cylinder
and dual ignition. The two spark plugs are positioned
close to the cylinder walls in order to ignite
the injected mixture rapidly and almost completely.
The dual ignition system enables an increased
volume of exhaust to be re-circulated to the engine,
with consequent advantageous effects on pollutant
emissions.
The Car is a beauty, drive it.
Text: Rahul Surkund
Photo Courtesy: Mercedes Benz India Ltd
|
