A class act
Gulf Business|October 2020
Mercedes-Benz has launched the seventh generation of its flagship S-Class, demonstrating its worldview of a car that merges the concepts of uber luxury and next-generation technology
VARUN GODINHO
A class act

It’s not incorrect to say that Mercedes-Benz is a brand built around the S-Class. Recently, it unveiled a EUR730m Factory 56 in Sindelfingen to begin production of its seventh-generation S-Class model which has been its flagship offering since the seventies.

When you’re ready to invest nearly three-quarters of a billion euros, future intent becomes crystal clear.

The new S-Class features an aluminium hybrid bodyshell. As a stately saloon, it has considerable road presence. The long-wheelbase model is now 34mm longer than the outgoing model, 55mm wider and 12mm taller.

As Britta Seeger, a board member at Daimler AG and head of marketing and sales at Mercedes-Benz recently told Gulf Business, Asian markets prefer the long-wheelbase version as nine out of 10 of its customers there are chauffeured. In the Western and American markets, however, customers prefer to drive themselves and hence opt for a shorter wheelbase variant.

For those in the driver’s seat, there’s much to be had with the six-cylinder 2.9- litre in-line engine that is being offered at launch with the S450 and S500.

With a power output of 367hp and 435hp respectively, they also produce 500Nm and 520Nm of torque, which result in an average 0-100kph time of 5.1 seconds and 4.9 seconds – helped of course, by the nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Both models get a 22hp boost under acceleration due to the EQ Boost thanks to an integrated starter generator. Another upcoming hybrid version of the S-Class will also be able to deliver 100km of electric range. Mercedes added that a V8 version of the car with a 48V mild-hybrid version will follow shortly. Seeger confirmed that plans are afoot, expectedly, to launch an AMG version of the S-Class, and an eagerly anticipated top-drawer Maybach variant too.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GULF BUSINESSView all
Green lights
Gulf Business

Green lights

It hasn’t even been a full year that Stellantis, one of the world’s biggest auto companies, has been in existence. Still, its wheels are spinning furiously. Here’s what it has in store for the region

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
Purpose through corporate responsibility
Gulf Business

Purpose through corporate responsibility

Every organisation must deeply reflect about whether they are leaving behind a legacy or a liability, says Abdulaziz AlSowailim, EY MENA chairman and CEO

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021
Analysing the layers of a coconut
Gulf Business

Analysing the layers of a coconut

When we have a sense of clarity as to our purpose in life, then we institute the correct practices and habits around us, and set realistic and achievable results

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
DUNES TO DOMINION
Gulf Business

DUNES TO DOMINION

FOR A COUNTRY RICH IN TRADITION AND DRIVEN BY AMBITION, THE UAE’S JOURNEY DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS HAS BEEN UNPRECEDENTED. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE NEXT 50?

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2021
Building strong
Gulf Business

Building strong

International investors are boosting Dubai’s residential property market, which has rebounded strongly from the Covid crisis, writes Aarti Nagraj

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
CHASING THE AMERCIAN DREAM
Gulf Business

CHASING THE AMERCIAN DREAM

FOR SHAI ZAMANIAN, THE US IS A LAND OF LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES, AN AVENUE HE AIMS TO OPEN FOR FAMILIES WORLDWIDE VIA IMMIGRATION. HERE’S HOW HE IS BRINGING HIS GOAL TO FRUITION

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
OBITUARY: JOCELYN HENDERSON (1921-2021)
Gulf Business

OBITUARY: JOCELYN HENDERSON (1921-2021)

THE GRANDE DAME OF ABU DHABI – THE WIFE OF A FORMER DIPLOMAT – PASSED AWAY IN THE UAE CAPITAL AGED 100

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
THE DIGITAL DISRUPTORS
Gulf Business

THE DIGITAL DISRUPTORS

IN THE COMING YEARS, THE GCC IS EXPECTED TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SECTORS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, MANUFACTURING, EDUCATION AND RETAIL, WHICH WILL HELP BOOST THE GROWTH OF ITS NON-OIL ECONOMY

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2021
Signed, sealed, delivered
Gulf Business

Signed, sealed, delivered

Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, partnered with one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, Ferrari, earlier this year. Here’s where the partnership, and the German company as well, is headed next

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
UP, UP AND AWAY
Gulf Business

UP, UP AND AWAY

AS THE FIRST IN-PERSON AIRSHOW TO TAKE PLACE SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EVENT SAW SEVERAL DEALS ANNOUNCED

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021