2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: in Search of Perfection

If Mercedes-Benz wants to survive, it has to do what other luxury carmakers are doing, which is to offer vehicles that the masses can afford while catering its traditional clientele, who want only the most exclusive models. That’s why the noble German brand is constantly refining its S-Class—the biggest and most expensive sedan in its entire lineup. The S-Class, however, is up against some real heavyweights, like the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, to name just two. It was surely pure coincidence that the very day The Car Guide was test driving the 2018 S-Class, Audi was premiering its 2019 A8.

So the S-Class has been refreshed for 2018. In fact, it’s more of a serious mid-generation update and the coupe and cabriolet will undoubtedly get the same treatment later this year. The current S-Class was launched in 2014 and will probably stick around for another few years.

• Also: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Ambience
• Also: S-Class cabrio Mercedes' 'first' 4-seat convertible in 44 years

The changes to the body are rather understated and only the headlights, which are now three LED strips, stand out, along with the front end. There are lots of other modifications here and there, but nothing major. Thus, the S-Class still resembles an E-Class, which resembles a C-Class. You won’t see any drastic changes, even in the cabin.

Mercedes-Benz focussed squarely on the engine and technology, and it shows. In fact, there is so much technology to improve safety and comfort that we decided to do a completely separate article about it.

The nuts and bolts

First, all the engines have been changed or improved. The S 400 has been replaced by the S 450, and its 3.0-litre V6 now offers an additional 38 horsepower, going from 329 to 367. Previously, it offered 354 lb.-ft. of torque, but that number’s up to 369 lb.-ft. available between 1600 and 4000 rpm.

Meanwhile, the S 560 replaces the S 550 and gets a new twin-turbo, 4.0-litre V8 with 413 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Things start to get serious with the 2018 Mercedes-AMG S 63, whose 4.0-litre engine generates 603 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque. If you have extreme needs and the means to pay for them, there’s the AMG S 65 whose 6.0-litre V12 twin-turbo delivers 621 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft.

With the exception of the rear-drive S 65 and its seven-speed gearbox, all these versions have all-wheel drive and a nine-speed gearbox. During the launch, we had the opportunity to drive an S 560 and AMG S 63. Unfortunately, there was no AMG S 65 made available to us.

In Canada, the S 560 4MATIC will be offered in versions with either a short or long wheelbase. We test drove the latter and got a sense of what a Mercedes-Benz S-Class is. Although the star on the hood looks like it’s quite close to the driver, that’s just an optical illusion. Extended wheelbase or not, an S-Class is long.

Thanks to all that horsepower, you don’t really feel the car’s 2200 kilograms. Just step on the gas and it moves forward while roaring beautifully. The steering wheel melds nicely with your hands, but you don’t really feel the front wheels doing their thing through it. Then again, the steering is just firm and lively enough, just like the suspension that remains balanced regardless of road conditions or corner radius. The brakes are up to any task.

The nine-speed gearbox is a model of precision and smoothness. In regular mode, it shifts at the right time without any lag. Sport mode won’t turn the big Benz into a race car, but it will sharpen its senses. The V8’s roar is more pronounced, the steering provides (slightly) more feedback and is reasonably firmer, while the accelerator becomes more sensitive. Basically, it makes you forget that you’re driving a big sedan—until you pass a tractor on a country road, that is.

Fabulous AMG S 63

The AMG S 63 picks up where the S 560 left off. The suspension is firmer and the low-profile tires do nothing to lessen the blows (285/35ZR20 versus 275/40R19). In regular mode, however, it offers reasonable comfort and firmness. The suede-wrapped and flat-bottomed steering wheel is more direct and provides better, though imperfect, feedback.

The twin-turbo, 4.0-litre V8 pumps 603 horsepower between 5500 and 6000 rpm and 664 lb.-ft. for torque between 2750 and 4500 rpm. It can be as tame as a cute little lamb, or as furious as a caged animal. Once you push the double exhaust button, you’ll feel like you’re driving a NASCAR whip with 200 kilos of soundproofing added. Mercedes-Benz has posted a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time (4.6 for the S 560) and this figure seems perfectly plausible in light of the fact that the S 63 weighs eight kilograms less than the S 560 (2192 versus 2200). The brakes are extraordinarily powerful, but I doubt that they could survive very long if used on a race track.

After driving an AMG S 63, we can’t imagine what it’s like to drive an AMG S 65 and feel its 6.0-litre V12 relay 621 horsepower to the rear wheels. Oh, if I only had the means!

Canadian prices and the Canadian release dates:

• S 450 4MATIC (short wheelbase): $106,400 (August or September 2017)
• S 560 4MATIC (short wheelbase): $115,200 (August or September 2017)
• S 560 4MATIC (long wheelbase): $124,400 (August or September 2017)
• AMG S 63 4MATIC+: $163,500 (August or September 2017)
• AMG S 65: $254,800 (end of 2017)
• Maybach S 650: n/a (early 2018)