The flagship of the Mercedes-Benz range, the S-Class saloon, received a major makeover late last year and we have just spent a most pleasant week wafting around in the new for 2010 model.

‘Wafting’ is certainly a word that comes to mind when you drive this big Mercedes. Cocooned in the superb, multi-adjustable front seats and shielded from the outside world by the latest technology that minimises automotive noise and vibration, there's a feeling of being in a mobile lounge room. A feeling that's highlighted by the high quality of the materials used throughout and the spacious ambiance.

However, there's less legroom in the rear seat than we had expected in a car of this size. You don’t feel cramped back there, but a big more stretch-out room would be appreciated. Should you really need a large back seat you can also specify the S-Class in long-wheelbase format for an extra $18,000.

Though the new cabin follows the same design theme as the original, the stylists have increased the size of the timber and/or alloy highlights and added a range of additional hues to the options of the leather trim.

The most fascinating thing inside the big Merc isn't the latest styling, but the use of interior lighting to create a variety of ambiences that can be set to match the occupants’ moods. Three different ambient light themes are offered; Neutral, is a non-intrusive white; Solar, an amber shade that was our favourite thanks to a look that's almost like Australia on a warm summer’s evening; and Polar, an icy-blue that gives a cooler feel.

External styling has also received a revamp to freshen it up as part of the midlife makeover. Changes have been restricted to the styling of the headlights and taillights as well as to the shape of the bumpers and the door mirrors. The taillights are particularly interesting, featuring LED illumination in an interesting ‘double-C’ design. And the outside mirror redesign isn't just to improve their appearance, it also has aerodynamic benefits.



Note that daytime running lights are now standard on all models. Running horizontally in the lower sections of the front spoiler they give the car an elegant look as well as improving safety during low-light conditions.

Despite these apparently minor alterations to the overall shape of the S-Class, the Mercedes stylists have managed to give their big saloon quite a different look. The S’ now looks wider and slightly lower than previously, perhaps even a bit bolder. The new S-Class shape also reflects the latest in styling themes as seen in the recently released all-new E-Class and the revised C-Class. Thus giving that matched luggage look to the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range.

Though we used the word ‘wafting’ in our opening description of this large luxurious limo, there's also a hard-edged nature to the car if you push it hard. While comfort has been given priority, the big Benz is more than capable of hustling around corners safely and with plenty of stability. Electronic aids certainly play their part in this cornering and handling competence, but the basic mechanical package of the suspension has obviously been designed to work well in its own right.

As well as the electronics in the suspension, numerous driver assist systems make life safer. Attention Assist looks for inattention and/or erratic driver behavior and warns the offender behind the wheel to improve themselves. Lane Keeping Assist warns if the car is about to stray over lane markings and/or the centreline. High-beam Assist lets you leave the headlights on high beam all the time, and automatically dips them when the S-Class ‘sees’ another car either in front or behind.

The engine and transmissions remain as in the just superseded model. Our road test car had a V6 petrol engine with a capacity of 3.5 litres, there's also a 5.5-litre V8 in the specifications list. As revheads we love the latter powerplant, but to be honest the 3.5-litre provides more than enough performance for the great majority of buyers.



Mercedes’ 3.5-litre powerplant has excellent response to the throttle and, complemented by a seven-speed automatic that’s willing to change down rapidly there's good overtaking ability to let you spend the minimum of time on the wrong side of the road.

Petrol consumption will usually be in the ten to twelve litres per hundred kilometre range in suburban driving, perhaps going to 14 litres in heavy-duty commuting. High gearing and clever engine design means you should be able to get the consumption down to the eights on motorways and during easy paced country cruising.

AT A GLANCE
2010 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS

MODEL RANGE
S350 CDI: $214,900
350: $214,900
350L: $232,900
S500: $289,900
S500L: $307,900
S63 AMG: $380,900
S600L: $402,900
C65 AMG L: $482,900

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Standard
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard

SPECIFICATIONS (Mercedes-Benz S350 3.5-litre petrol four-door sedan)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 3.498 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
Bore/Stroke: NA
Maximum Power: 200 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 2400-5000 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Seven-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5096 mm
Wheelbase: 3035 mm
Width: 1871 mm
Height: 1479 mm
Turning Circle: 11.8 metres
Kerb Mass: 1895 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 101 litres
Towing Ability: N/A

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Four-link, air suspension with level control, torsion bar stabiliser
Rear Suspension: Multi-link, air suspension with level control, torsion bar stabiliser
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.3 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 95RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 9.8 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 8.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km