New S-Class cabin revealed

THESE are the first official images showing the sumptuous interior of the forthcoming new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine.

The series of photographs revealed overnight point to the German brand's flagship being the most luxuriously appointed iteration to date.

Confirmed for an official unveiling at the Hamburg motor show in mid-May, the new tech-heavy S-Class will go into production around September before going on sale in Australia in the fourth quarter.

Mercedes said in a statement that the interior was designed using a “distinctively flowing, sensual and elegant style.”

In keeping with the uber-luxury nature of the S-Class, there is extensive use of wood trim in the dash and metallic surfaces throughout the cabin as well as the inclusion of an ‘active perfuming system’ that first cleanses the air before activating the perfume in five minute cycles.

Four distinct scents can be selected by the driver, comprising Freeside, Sports, Downtown and Nightlife.

Mercedes-Benz Australia senior manager of corporate communications David McCarthy told GoAuto the new generation limousine will “reinforce the S-Class’s position as a technology, safety and luxury leader”.

The German car-maker has ensured that S-Class passengers will be treated like royalty with the inclusion of a massage system the uses 14 separate air cushions in the backrests of the seats that will provide six different massage programs.

The ‘Energizing’ function uses seat warmers for a hot-stone massage effect.

Rear seat occupants have a choice of five different seat variants including an executive seat that reclines by up to 43.5 degrees for a first class airline cabin feel.

Mercedes has replaced the traditional instrument cluster with two 307mm-wide high-resolution colour displays.

The display on the left is for instruments such as the speedo that are digital but with an analogue look while the right-hand display is the home to the S-Class’s multimedia and infotainment functions.

Mercedes-Benz says that for the first time in the vehicle’s history, the development was focused on the long-wheelbase rather than the short-wheelbase version.

Highlighting the importance of the massive Chinese market, Mercedes said that while S-Class owners in Europe and the US are more likely to be behind the wheel, buyers from Asian countries are often chauffeur-driven.

Previous generations of the S-Class have acted as a precursor to future comfort and safety technologies that filter down and are eventually adopted in other vehicles in Mercedes’ line-up.

The 2013 W222 S-Class will include new safety features such as a braking airbag under the nose of the car to reduce impact speed as well as an inflatable seat-belt strap that helps reduce the risk of injury in a head-on collision.

An advanced version of the German car-maker’s Pre-Safe occupant protection system will feature in the S-Class with pedestrian detection technology that uses radar sensors and a stereo camera to alert the driver to a hazard.

Mr McCarthy said that the S-Class interior shown in the images should be “pretty close” to the production interior.

While there has been no confirmation of specifications for the vehicle, Mr McCarthy said Mercedes would like to offer as many variants as possible in Australia.

“There will be a number of models and I would suggest that we would pretty much have our hands up for all of them,” he said.

Mr McCarthy said that Australian-spec versions would “absolutely” include some of the more luxurious comfort features, adding that the S-Class will include many of the luxury and safety features that will appear in the upcoming mid-size E-Class plus items not yet seen.

While not a volume seller locally, Mr McCarthy said that the new S-Class is an important vehicle for the brand in Australia.

“The S-Class has showcased and launched many safety features and this one won’t be any different. But it will set a benchmark for luxury as well. In terms of emissions and economy, it will also set a new benchmark. That’s why it’s important.”