Detailed interior shots of next-gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class preview its game-changing cabin
Mercedes-Benz is building up quite nicely to the reveal of the seventh-generation S-Class (W223) in September. The latest set of in-cabin pictures show how much closer the Sonderklasse is to a luxury yacht's cabin, with finely crafted open-pore wood panelling between each of the redesigned lounge seats in the rear, and real aluminium trim, forming the 'hard surfaces' to contrast with the quilted leather upholstery, or 'soft surfaces'.
Of special note is the updated LED fibre optic ambient lighting, with hundreds of fibre optics lining the cabin for up to ten times brighter lighting, aiding visibility even during the day. The ambient lighting system is now adaptive, extending to elements like the seat belt buckles, and flashes red to warn the occupants of an impending collision, tying into the new S-Class' host of radar-based safety systems. Another useful integration of the system is to warn occupants from exiting the car when there's a vehicle approaching, with the ambient lighting turning red for that particular section.
The ambient lighting system also forms an integral part of Mercedes' updated Energising Comfort feature, which combines the climate control, massage function in the seats, Burmester audio system and fragrances to create a unified environment, with modes such as Refresh, Vitality and Comfort setting the tone.
This isn't the first time the S-Class is using LED lighting in the cabin though, with the current-gen S-Class earning the distinction of the first Mercedes-Benz to completely move away from bulb-lighting, both inside and out. Of course, the new-generation S-Class, having always been the flagbearer for Mercedes' cutting-edge tech, will debut the next-generation of the manufacturer's MBUX infotainment system, with upgraded voice accessibility and facial recognition functions.
It also debuts a portrait-layout 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen that's been moved from atop the dash to the central stack for easier use, an updated digital instrumentation cluster with a 3D-interface, and the sci-fi heads-up display with augmented reality integration, to make following navigation instructions even safer and more fool-proof. The new S-Class also features front-facing airbags for the rear passengers in addition to the side and curtain airbags, making it the first ever application of its kind. It also features an upgraded Pre-Safe collision mitigation system, that can raise the car via the E-Active Body Control system by up to 8cm in the event of an impending collision, directing the force of the impact to the stronger structures found on the lower side of the car.