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The best mass-produced luxury saloon in the world just got better. We've tried the diesel version of the revamped car on UK roads for the first time

What is it?

This is the facelifted version of the sixth generation of Mercedes-Benz S-Class, seen here in the UK for the first time.

More than 6000 components have been changed to turn that S-Class into the one you see here, making it the most comprehensive mid-lift update any S-Class has ever received.

Most notable is the replacement of the V8 petrol engine in the old S500 and the V6 diesel in the S350 with a new 2.9-litre straight-six engine, producing 282bhp in diesel form (up by 28bhp) and 429bhp with petrol in the combustion chambers (down 20bhp).

The petrol car actually produces the same performance stats as its predecessor but improves claimed fuel consumption from 31.7mpg to 40.9mpg, with a commensurate fall in CO2 and therefore company car tax, so you can see why Mercedes did it.

The diesel tested here orders its priorities slightly differently, providing a slight fuel consumption improvement from 50.4mpg to 52.3mpg but knocking 0.8sec off the 0-62mph time, which is now reached in six seconds flat.

For a 2.9-litre diesel in a two-tonne limo, that’s ridiculous, although not as ridiculous as the 335bhp version that goes on sale next summer. That one, albeit with the aid of four-wheel drive, knocks that figure to 5.2sec. When I started in this business, the only Ferrari on sale that could beat that figure was an F40.

The other major enhancement is the adoption of the next generation of autonomous driving technology. With this, the S-Class will drive itself on a much greater number of roads with no driver input, save a vestigial touch on the steering wheel every few seconds.

By co-ordinating its radar with its navigation data, the car knows to slow for corners if the approach speed is too high or if a roundabout is looming, or it can brake to a halt for a toll or junction. When you arrive at a parking space too tight for you to get out of, you can stand outside the car and park it with an app on your phone.

Mercedes benz s350d rear

Inside, there is an entirely new dashboard featuring twin 12.3in high-definition TFT screens that can display what can at times seem like a limitless amount of information.

If you don’t like the look of your instruments, you can change them with a turn of the controller. You can choose any one of 64 colours with which to illuminate your interior and, if you are prepared to pay for the option, you can benefit from what Mercedes calls ‘Energising Comfort Control’.

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This is a service that co-ordinates the climate control, fragrance dispenser, seat heating, cooling and massage, wall heating, music and interior lights, allowing you to choose certain presets according to either your mood or the one in which you’d like to be. Mercedes calls these ‘Freshness’, ‘Warmth’, ‘Vitality’, ‘Comfort’, the rather ambitious ‘Joy’ and the faintly implausible ‘Training’. If you check the date this has been posted, you will see I am not joking.

What's it like?

Surely this is the most effortless form of mass-produced ground-based personalised transport ever devised. The new engine is near-silent when you wish and as charming as a diesel straight-six can be when pushed.

The ride of the previous Mercedes-Benz S-Class was always the best in its class and this one is no different. The new information and entertainment systems take some learning and not just because there is so much to learn but because there are so many switches, buttons, controllers and swipe pads you must master, but it soon becomes largely - if not entirely - intuitive.

The surprise is that, amid all the sumptuous luxury, effortlessly smoothed bumps and cloister-quiet refinement, Mercedes has still somehow conspired to make the S-Class decent to drive. Indeed, the verve with which this 5.2-metre monster will attack a decent road is, well, quite indecent. You might even call it fun.

Mercedes benz s350d dashboard

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Should I buy one?

If you are looking for a luxury saloon, it’s a hard case to argue against, even though BMW has just produced unquestionably the best 7 Series to date. It must be said that no car is perfect and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class does have its share of minor foibles, such as the switchgear and the fact that your low-speed serenity can be disturbed by the odd pot hole. But, overall, its grip on class leadership seems as firm as ever.

Next to try to knock the S-Class off its perch is the new Audi A8. And it will need to be something extraordinary to do so.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350d L AMG Line Premium Plus

Where Wye Valley; On sale Now; Price £75,505; Price as tested £82,200; Engine 6 cyls, 2925cc, turbocharged diesel; Power 282bhp at 3400rpm; Torque 442lb ft at 1200rpm; Gearbox 9-spd auto; Kerbweight 1990kg; Top speed 155mph; 0-62mph 6.0sec; Fuel economy 52.3mpg; CO2 rating/BIK 139g/km, 29%; Rivals BMW 730 Ld M Sport, Jaguar XJ 3.0 Diesel Portfolio LWB

Mercedes benz s350d on the road

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david RS 20 September 2017

A S Class with a lorry engine

A S Class with a lorry engine :-(

And the hideous interior. Mercedes, where are your 80-90's ?

 

Landie 20 September 2017

Will be interesting to see...

How the Jaguar XJ replacement when it comes along will compare to this new S Class Merc...

1stdarkhorse 19 September 2017

That interior is comic

Is it me or is that a truly awful interior? It is probably  better in the flesh but in the photos, nasty. Makes you wonder why the have it on the press fleet?