First Sight: Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222

It was one of the more memorable automotive events this year, and the massive thunderstorm only added to the drama. Last night Mercedes-Benz launched its new S-Class sedan in the delivery hall of Airbus in Hamburg and Car Design News was there to get the low-down on this eagerly-awaited limo. Context was fittingly provided by an A380 lounging in the background as the current lineup of Mercedes-Benz escorted Benz's big boy onto the stage, amidst artificial fireworks and real thunder and lightning.

Daimler's "the best or nothing" mantra was repeated throughout the evening, and the ambitious claim is convincingly backed up by a wealth of hard technology that puts a comfortable distance between the S-Class and its competitors – the Audi A8, the BMW 7 series, and the Lexus LS – for the time being. "It seems to be the first car where the driver is optional," a guest observed jokingly, referring to the assistance systems that would potentially allow autonomous driving.

The challenge for Gorden Wagener's design team was considerable. After the provocation of the A- and B-Class and the CLA, would the S-Class continue to polarize? Not quite, in fact. The W/V222 actually manages to evolve the design language launched with the A, B, and CLA in a more subtle manner; it does away with the jarring wheel arches of the previous S-Class and it is fitted with a stunningly sumptuous and well-executed interior.

The front end is dominated by a massive, almost disproportionately large grille, certainly the biggest ever on a Mercedes passenger car. "With the grille, we wanted to send a strong message: Here comes the leader of the segment," chief designer Gorden Wagener tells Car Design News. Either side of it are two large, full LED headlights that mirror the outer contour of the grille. The lights are less busy than on the facelifted E-Class, but they still include garish, illuminated Mercedes-Benz lettering inside.

The side view is dominated by "the brand's hallmark dropping line," as the press release calls this rather recent, albeit 1930s-inspired styling element which is also found on the CLA and the CLS. It comes in the form of a sharp crease, which contrasts with the relatively soft ‘muscle' above the rear wheels. The streamlined, art-deco 1930s designs, in fact, are what inspires Gorden Wagener: "It was a glorious period in terms of automotive design, there was incredible refinement and personal style, and we try to recapture a bit of that," he tells CDN.

A minor detail, the new exterior mirrors, will carry over to future Mercedes-Benz models and replace the bulky and slightly awkward units seen on the brand's other models. But the oval door handles, an element first seen in the 1990s, carry on.

The rear window is more rounded than before; its style alludes to the current CL coupe, and it lends the S-class the look of a "modern classic," says Wagener. Even on the long-wheelbase version, which is expected to be the high-volume model and the only one shown so far, the daylight opening appears rather short, almost stubby; no short-wheelbase S-Class has been shown yet, and it remains to be seen whether it will be a satisfactory solution.

The tail lamps are a continuation of the rear fender; they are fully encased by the body and radiate quality. Their inner workings, with horizontal LED elements, are seen in similar form on the GLK and on the facelifted E-class. These will migrate to other Mercedes models in the future and create a specific, recognizable "night design." The gasoline models exhibit pronounced, angular exhaust pipes; they are hidden on diesel models.

From the outset, an AMG appearance package is offered. It includes aggressively modified front and rear bumpers and specific wheels; the early launch date seems unusual, but it is expected to capture a large share of the market in the US.

While the exterior appears evolutionary – and, compared to other recent Mercedes models, almost reduced – the interior is bold, perhaps even extravagant in style. "We are proud of the newly defined quality and the craftsmanship," says Hartmut Sinkwitz, head of the brand's interior design. The extreme horizontality of the dashboard stands out; the cluster stretches to the vehicle center, and it includes two 12.3-inch TFT screens. Compared to the outgoing W221 S-Class, the screens in the W222 offer a lot more contrast. And despite the lack of three-dimensional chronographs and jewelry, the look of the gauges is decidedly premium. No head-up display is offered.

The door-to-instrument-panel integration is remarkable; the horizontal look stretches into the door panels. There is a plethora of beautiful and surprising elements, including round and galvanized, Bentley-like vents with submersible controls; the metal speakers of the Burmester High-End stereo system with a spiraling center element reminiscent of a violin case; and the ambient lighting system, which offers seven distinct color moods. In a bold move, Mercedes has opted for a two-spoke steering wheel, "a refreshing departure from the typical and expected," says one commentator.

Mercedes offers several wood qualities, including a metalized variation (but no open-pore quality), and various leather grades and colors. Somewhat surprisingly, there still is a standard fabric seat, despite the low (sub-one percent) take-up rate on this predecessor.

In the past, Mercedes-Benz design has rarely set the benchmark for interiors. Despite the sophisticated offerings by the competition in this segment, the new S-Class does, even if its exterior, while more coherent than other Benz offerings, is still lacking in true grace and composure.

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Design Review: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221)

By Jens Meiners