The black sedan glided over the cobblestones, barely a shudder felt in the cabin. A diplomat in the back seat, mid-call with Zurich, didn’t spill a drop of his €20 ($21.50) mineral water. The driver, eyes forward, trusted the car to anticipate every imperfection – a silent promise kept by Mercedes-Benz.
Like other luxury brands that initially sprinted toward electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is now recalibrating its strategy. The all-electric EQS didn’t resonate with the traditional S-Class clientele as anticipated, leading the German automaker to refine its gasoline and hybrid flagship with advanced technology.
S-Class occupants are arguably more attuned to ride quality than outright performance. While Mercedes has always catered to driving enthusiasts with deep pockets, the S-Class is synonymous with financial hubs such as New York, London, and Tokyo. Passengers expect unparalleled comfort, and Mercedes intends to deliver.
The Brains Behind the Bumps
I remember driving in Berlin, the old tram lines feeling like a washboard road. Mercedes-Benz is touting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) capabilities in the 2027 S-Class to manage the car’s suspension and damping systems, promising a smoother ride, whatever the surface.
According to Mercedes, the “Intelligent Damping” system uses existing radar and camera technology to preemptively scan the road. This allows the adaptive air suspension – or the optional E-BODY ACTIVE CONTROL – to adjust damping in real-time, mitigating the impact of bumps and potholes. Data from these encounters is then stored in the Mercedes Information Cloud and shared with other similarly equipped vehicles.
Mercedes has been integrating Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication for about ten years, connecting primarily with other Mercedes vehicles. It’s not the only company working on road imperfection solutions. Ford, for example, has utilized camera-based pothole detection for years.
How does Mercedes-Benz Car-to-X Communication work?
Mercedes Car-to-X communicates with other Mercedes vehicles and central cloud services to share real-time information about road conditions, hazards, and traffic updates. It is a digital early warning system, and the 2027 S-Class aims to improve this through continuous learning and AI-driven adjustments.
This technology is debuting on the S-Class, but expect to see it trickling down to other models soon.
AI Inside
I’ve seen people conduct entire business deals from the back of an S-Class. The latest model integrates Google Cloud Automotive AI services with built-in Google Maps via the MB.OS software, supporting applications like Gmail, Outlook, and even Microsoft Teams calls. MB.OS also manages the car’s driver-assistance systems.
Mercedes is also including heated seatbelts for front occupants, meant to encourage occupants to remove bulky winter coats, so that the seatbelts fit correctly. The Digital Vent Control forces you to adjust the vents electronically.
What engine options are available for the 2027 S-Class?
The 2027 S-Class offers six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines with a 48-volt architecture, producing up to 530 horsepower, with standard all-wheel drive. The S 580e plug-in hybrid uses a six-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a 22-kWh battery, delivering 576 horsepower and an unannounced electric-only range. These models are expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships in the latter half of the year.
A Gimmick or a Genuine Leap?
I see AI becoming more prevalent in car functions, monitoring and adjusting elements crucial to safety and comfort. The AI is the wizard behind the curtain, quietly tuning the ride. The question remains: is this level of tech a fleeting status symbol for the wealthy, or will it eventually become standard in more affordable vehicles?
In this new S-Class, comfort isn’t just a feature; it’s a carefully orchestrated symphony, conducted by algorithms. But is this really progress, or is it just gilded automation?