2021 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic [US]

Modern luxury reaches a new level with the interior of the S-Class. The designers have created a feel-good ambience with lounge character marked by elegance, high quality and airiness. The dashboard with its new architecture, modern surface design and ergonomic display arrangement is a noteworthy highlight. But the feel-good aspect goes even further: With high ride quality and low noise levels as well as an extensive range of ENERGIZING Comfort programs, the S-Class looks after the well-being of its passengers. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has become more intelligent in many areas, including the driving experience, which is taken to the next level. Digital innovations such as in MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) are joined by new developments that increase driving enjoyment while making driving even safer: among them are rear-axle steering with a large steering angle and safety innovations such as the rear airbag. As a new function of PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side, the active E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension can raise the vehicle body (on both sides) just before an impending side impact. Following further systematic developments, the driving assistance systems take another step towards autonomous driving. Thanks to improved environmental sensors, for example, the parking systems provide the driver increased support when maneuvering at low speed. The integration into MBUX further enhances this as the level of visualization enters a whole new dimension.

Easy entry into confined parking spaces and narrow entrances

Thanks to advanced environmental sensors, the parking systems provides the driver improved support when maneuvering at low speed. Operation is now faster and more intuitive thanks to integration into MBUX. The optional rear-axle steering is integrated into the parking assistants, with the calculation of trajectories adapted accordingly. Emergency braking functions primarily serve to protect other road users. As standard, the S-Class is equipped with Active Parking Assist with a reversing camera and a 360° camera. In the S-Class, all the information from all sensors and cameras is combined. This enables more parking spaces to be recognized and offered.

Light and comfortable travel

Innovative suspension systems ensure an impressive travel experience in the new S-Class. The rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 10° improves maneuverability on narrow city streets. The fully active E- ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension on a 48 V basis offers a unique synthesis of comfort and agility, plus additional protection in the event of a lateral collision. The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard equipment. Close networking between all the suspension and control systems ensures maximum stability and safety.

Only floating is better

Improved ride comfort and agility, as well as innovative functions, such as raising the vehicle body in the event of a lateral crash, are provided by the new developed E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL active suspension (optionally available next year), which is combined with the standard AIRMATIC air suspension. This regulates the damping and spring forces individually at each wheel, and not only counters body roll, but also pitch and lift. Together with ROAD SURFACE SCAN and the CURVE function, E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL allows an extraordinarily high level of comfort and reinforces the claim of Mercedes-Benz to produce the world's most intelligent suspension system. Active suspension systems have a long tradition at Mercedes-Benz. More than 40 years ago, research was already being conducted on spring and damper systems that would allow the power at each wheel to be individually controlled. The objective: to improve both ride comfort and vehicle dynamics. In 1999 ABC (Active Body Control) first entered series production in the S-Class Coupe. In subsequent years ABC was continuously developed further, with the ROAD SURFACE SCAN function added in 2013 to produce the first predictive suspension that responds to uneven surfaces before they are reached.

How it works: How E-ACTIVE Body Control works

E-ACTIVE Body Control adds semi-supporting hydraulics to the air suspension. The air springs bear the base load of the vehicle body and gradually regulate the level. The hydraulics generate dynamic forces that overlay the air spring forces, and actively support and dampen the vehicle body. They achieve up to 6 kN at the front wheels and 5 kN at the rear wheels. The actuating force is up to 20 kN/s, which also allows raising of the vehicle body when an impending side impact is recognized. More about this extension to PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side in the chapter "Protective measures in a side crash". At each wheel, a damper is installed within the axle with two working chambers that have an adjustable damping valve and a hydraulic pressure reservoir. The damper is connected to an intelligent motor/pump unit in the 48 V network by hydraulic lines. Actuation of the motor/pump unit enables the hydraulic fluid to be displaced to create a difference in pressure within the damper, allowing an active force to be generated.